Setup your Family & Friends Fundraising Page

Part 1: How to get started

Below are a few easy steps to ensure you will have an unbeatable experience as a fundraiser for our Family & Friends Campaign:

Visit TACA’s 2012 FirstGiving page to get started.

  1. Select “Fundraise”
  2. Create a FirstGiving account or Sign In to your account
  3. Join a Team (Choose a TACA Chapter to support or join our TACA General team)
  4. Edit your page (Add a title, upload a picture or video, share your story and make your first donation)

To edit your page after you’ve set up your 2012 Family & Friends FirstGiving page

  1. Make sure you are on the “Your Fundraising” Tab
    Your Fundraising tab
  2. Select “Edit your page” and make changes and updates to your page
    Select "Edit your page" and make changes and updates to your page
  3. Click on “Save and Continue” at the bottom of the screen
    Click on "Save and Continue" at the bottom of the screen

 

 

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Part 2: Fundraising Ideas

Email campaigns are the easiest and most effective way to raise funds! Send a personal letter via snail mail or email to your family, friends and co-workers. Don’t forget to change your email signature and include a link to your personal fundraising web site.

Your letter should include

  • Your personal goal- aim high!
  • Why you chose to raise funds for Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)
  • Facts about autism & TACA 
  • A suggested donation
  • A heartfelt “Thank You”

Other ways to bring awareness

  • Change your telephone answering machine to let people know you are raising funds for the Family & Friends Campaign.
  • Send letters to your Holiday Card friends asking them for their support. Include a campaign postcard.
  • Ask your church to put an announcement in the bulletin about your efforts.
  • Decorate a collection box and put up in your office or another location that is very visible along with a campaign poster.
  • Send your donors a Family & Friends “Thank You” card included in your fundraising kit.

 

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Part 3: Fundraising Incentives

Be rewarded for your efforts! Incentives will be given to those who raise $100 or more from April 2nd – June 29th.

$100 Level
TACA Magnetic Photo Frame – Imprinted inspiration Autism Awareness magnet photo frame.
$250 Level
BPA-Free TACA Water Bottle- Quench your thirst with this eco-friendly TACA water bottle.
$500 Level
TACA branded beach towel – Enjoy the sun with this TACA branded beach towel.
$1,000 Level
TACA branded North End lightweight jacket – Men & Women sizes XS- 3XL. Add this extra layer when it starts getting cold outside.
$2,500 Level
$75 American Express Gift Card- Ready, set, shop. Buy something great for yourself or a love one!
$5,000 Level
TACA Signature Series Sunglasses- Men or Women signature sunglasses to support TACA and Autism Awareness.
$10,000 Level
All incentives from the previous points.
$15,000 Level
Two (2) tickets to TACA’s Signature Ante Up for Autism event (September 29, 2012) including airfare and hotel.

 

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Part 4: Family & Friends Campaign FAQs

How are the fundraising proceeds used?
All donations for the Family & Friends Campaign will assist Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) further our mission to provide education, empowerment, and support, to families affected by autism. 95% of TACA services are provided at no cost to families.
Is there a fundraising requirement?
Fundraising is not required. However, participant fundraising is critical to the success of the Family & Friends Campaign and the programs TACA provides. Not only do your fundraising efforts make an impact, but you start earning great rewards once you’ve reached $100 in donations (Incentive Period: April 2nd – June 29th ).
What is the deadline for sending in donations?
The deadline to receive donations for the Family & Friends incentive period is June 29th, however you are still encouraged to continue to fundraise and reach your goal!
How do I enter and submit my offline donations?
Sign on to your Firstgiving.com fundraising account and use the “add online donation” button to enter any offline donations or pledges that you receive. These entries will be marked as “Pending” in your reports area until they have been received and cleared by the organization. Please mail all offline donations to Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), 2222 Martin Street, Suite 140, Irvine, CA 92612 (Please label the envelope as “Family & Friends Campaign” with fundraiser’s name on it).
How are fundraising totals calculated?
Fundraising totals are calculated by adding the total of the donations collected on an individual’s online fundraising page to the total of offline donations received in our Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) office. The incentives are not cumulative, meaning you receive only the prize for the level corresponding to the total amount of donations collected and submitted.
What is a matching gift and how do I apply for one?
A matching gift is when an employer donates an equal or greater amount as an employee donates. A matching gift is a great way for a donor to increase their contribution to autism awareness.
Who do I reach out to if I have questions? 
Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions via email trang.nguyen@tacanow.org or call 949-640-4401.

 

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Part 5: Facts about autism & TACA


According to the American Academy of Pediatrics Report, 1 in every 91 children, and over one million individuals in the U.S. have autism.

AUTISM FACTS

  • Autism has risen rapidly, from 1 in 10,000 in 1970, to 1 in 250 in 2001, to 1 in 91 today.
  • More children are diagnosed with autism each year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.
  • Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States.
  • Autism currently costs the nation over $35 billion per year, and costs continue to grow.
  • Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.
  • While the cause of autism remains unclear, current studies show genetics and environment both play a role in the autism prevalence increase.
  • Currently, there is no medical detection or cure for autism. Early intervention is the key to overcoming autism.  Thousands of children have shown significant improvement resulting from early diagnosis and use of effective interventions, which requires parents to become experts in:
    • Nutrition
    • Biomedical intervention
    • Speech, social skills, and behavioral therapy
    • Contracting for services with schools and service providers
    • Long range trust and financial planning

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) FACTS

  • Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is a national 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2000, whose mission is to educate, empower and support families affected by autism.
  • TACA aims to speed up the cycle time to an autism diagnosis, and then from diagnosis to effective treatments.
  • TACA strengthens the autism community by connecting families and the professionals who can help them, and provides Real Help Now through a variety of programs, including:
    • Educational seminars featuring leading doctors and therapists in the field
    • A referral network to professionals
    • Parent mentors that match experienced parents with parents of the newly diagnosed
    • Autism Journey Guides and templates for managing and sustaining your child’s care
  • TACA is over 28,000 members strong with 28 chapters in 18 states.
  • 95% of TACA services are offered at no cost to families.   TACA provides scholarships for medical testing and therapies for those families in financial need.

 

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