Congratulations on choosing to become a Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP)! Before getting started, please be sure to take a moment to review our Proud Supporter FAQs. Below is a list of beginning steps to get your event preparation started.
Select a committee and the type of event.
Selecting the type of event you will hold is fun and exciting, but we suggest gathering a small, dedicated committee as your first step to ensure your event's success from start to finish.
Once your committee is in place, begin researching types of events to hold. Keep in mind who your potential supporters are, your event location, and your volunteer base. Some popular ideas that have been successful in the past include sports tournaments, walk/run, motorcycle or car event, and concerts. When organizing a fundraiser or event to benefit WWP), please bear in mind WWP fundraisers cannot be sexual or political in nature and cannot be partnered with alcohol brands.
Set a date and a fundraising goal.
Setting a date early in your planning process is key. This date will determine the timeline for your entire planning process. As you consider dates, be aware of all local and national events, as well as holidays. At this stage, you will also want to determine a realistic fundraising goal and set a budget.
Register your event.
Once you're committee and event type have been selected and you've set a date, you're ready to register your Proud Supporter Fundraising Event! Registration ensures that WWP is aware of your event and enables our team to answer questions regarding your event. Please be aware that WWP does not have the capacity to plan, schedule, solicit sponsors, contact spokespersons or organize your event.
Make a plan and recruit volunteers.
You've outlined the big details and registered your event, so now it's time to start planning! Use your outline to establish a schedule of what needs to be done. Start with the date of the event and work your way backwards to ensure you give yourself enough time to prepare. Attention to detail is essential to the success of every event. Remember pieces like advertising and promotion!
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Once you delegate jobs to your volunteers, check in on a regular basis to see the progress and find out if they need any additional assistance.
Collect funds.
As you begin asking for donations, be sure that all individuals who might have conversations with potential donors are informed about the cause you are supporting, Wounded Warrior Project. You'll want to make sure that the message you convey is precise, effective, and brief. Don't forget to mention that all donations made in the form of a check, cashier’s check, or money order are tax deductible. As soon as we receive the funds you've collected, we will send a letter of acknowledgment for all eligible donations, which supporters can use for their tax records.
Please note: ALL donation checks should be made out to Wounded Warrior Project or WWP and mailed to:
Attn: Community Events4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Let us know how it went.
We are truly honored you selected wounded service members and our organization as the beneficiary of your event. We hope your event will be a great success! If you have any pictures or video, we would love for you to share them with us at events@woundedwarriorproject.org.
