Fundraising and Team Member Resources

Quickly and easily create your own personal fundraising webpage through GivenGain to make it convenient for friends and family to donate to your Team Eye and Ear run online. Remember to personalize your page with photos and your story!

A letter writing campaign has been proven to be one of the most effective ways marathon members have raised funds. It is informative, yet unobtrusive, to your donors.

Download a sample Team Eye and Ear letter template

Tips for an Effective Letter

• Personalize Your Letter
  How well do you know the recipient? You may want to have a few versions of your letter – one for those who know you well, another for acquaintances, and a third for business contacts. Tailor your message to your recipients. For email, don’t underestimate the power of writing to people individually. It will yield much better results than sending the same message to everyone
• Keep it Short
  Keep the letter to a page or less to keep reader interest to the end. Appeal to the Heart and the Head: Use quotes, anecdotes and descriptions that appeal to the emotions, then reinforce those emotions with Mass Eye and Ear facts and statistics.
• Include a Personal Story
  Personalize your letter to include your connection to Mass Eye and Ear, if applicable.
• Personalize your Envelope
  Address your envelope by hand instead of using labels. This will tell donors, at first glance, that this is a personal correspondence.
• Make it Easy for Supporters to Donate!
  Clearly state in your letter how to get the donation to you. Include a return envelope to include with your letter for those who may wish to write a check along with your personalized GivenGain website address where online donating can be made easily and securely.
• Follow Up
  If you haven’t heard from people you thought would donate, call them and ask if they’ve received your letter, or mention your request when you see them. They may have misplaced your letter or simply not gotten around to sending your check. Email is a great way to follow up with people who haven’t donated and to keep your supporters informed of your training and fundraising progress. Include a link to your GivenGain fundraising webpage with your follow up email to make it easy for your supporters to donate.
• Show your Gratitude
  Everyone likes to know that his or her efforts are appreciated. A formal thank you is a must, whether you acknowledge people as the gift is received or after the marathon. Ask your donors to extend the ask to their networks. Also, be sure to ask if their company matches donations. If so, provide them with any information necessary.

Some points to consider including in your letter or email:

• What are you doing and why are you doing this?
• Why is the cause important to you?
• What is Team Eye and Ear / Mass Eye and Ear?
• What is your fundraising goal?
• What is the status of your fundraising?
• How will Mass Eye and Ear use the funds it receives (did you specify using the funds for a particular use)?
• How is your training going?
• Why is it important to sponsor you?
• How can a person sponsor you?
• Has the person sponsored you in the past?
• Say how much you appreciate the donor’s support!
• Have you reached any goals or experienced any setbacks?

Approaching a company for corporate support is a great way to achieve and exceed your fundraising goal! It is truly a win-win for both you and the company. 

Download Resource Library

A Win-Win Approach

Approaching a company for corporate support is a great way to achieve and exceed your fundraising goal! It is truly a win-win situation for you and the company. The corporate commitment that you receive goes towards your fundraising goal and the company receives great branding exposure.

Brand Exposure

The Boston Marathon® is the world’s oldest and most prestigious marathon. Each year more than 500,000 spectators line the marathon route, making it New England’s most widely viewed sporting event. In terms of on-site media coverage, the Boston Marathon ranks behind only the Super Bowl as the largest single-day sporting event covered in the world. More than 1,100 media members, representing more than 250 outlets, receive credentials annually.

Deadline

The deadline to guarantee inclusion on Team Eye and Ear apparel and other branding opportunities is noon on February 9, 2026.

Commitment

To sign up as a corporate supporter, you will need to complete and return this commitment form.

Questions?

Stacy Kelly 
Director of Special Events 
617-573-3035
stacy_kelly@meei.harvard.edu

Before you start planning a fundraising event, please consider the time you and your friends may need to invest against the amount of revenue it will generate. Training is time consuming. In some cases your friends may prefer to cut you a check for $100 rather than volunteering 20 hours to raise $1,000. Each situation is unique and we recommend that you carefully analyze everything first. Some people have a network of friends who are well experienced and love doing these things.

Pros

• Community connection 
• Fun and interactive
• Raise awareness 
• Potential funding source

Cons

• Time consuming 
• Need friends to help 
• May need seed money 
• Evaluate fundraising potential

Percentage of Sales

Be wary of percentage of sales promotions with businesses. Many times, it doesn't add up (alcohol is not included), everyone needs to have a flyer, and past team members have had poor experiences with these types of promotions.

Tips for Planning an Event

If you do decide to move forward with a fundraising event, here are a few tips. There are all kinds of interesting themes you can choose (Wine tasting party, poker tournament, neighborhood yard sale – with all proceeds benefitting your run, Sunday brunch, trivia night, or a home party with in-home sales company)

First Things First

Choose a date, location, time, and theme. 

Please send us a quick note with this information.

Location

Do you know someone that owns an area restaurant or venue? Would they be willing to donate the space for your event (and possible some appetizers as well)? Many restaurants are willing to do this.

Themes

There are all kinds of interesting themes that you can choose. Some ideas that have been successful for Team Eye and Ear members in the past include:

• wine tasting party
• poker tournament
• neighborhood yard sale (with all the proceeds benefitting your fundraising)
• Sunday brunch
• trivia night
• home party with an in-home sales company

Raffles & Auctions

• Setting up a live (or silent) auction at your party is a fun way to build excitement and boost your fundraising.
• Approach local business for auction donations - many are willing to donate. Please let us know if they require a 501(c)3 form and/or letter from Mass Eye and Ear. We are happy to provide these to you.
• Do you know anyone with vacation homes in a fun location? Approach them to see if they would be willing to allow you to auction or raffle off a weekend stay at their vacation home.
• A raffle is a great way boost your fundraising as well. Also, 50/50 raffles usually work well.

Fun (and profitable) Ideas & Details

• Request a 'cover charge' at the door as a donation for attending the event. We suggest this amount be $25 or more.
• Ask your local wine shop if they would be willing to donate a couple cases of wine for your party.
• Have a loud, enthusiastic friend act as the emcee for the evening
• Set up a laptop (or two) at your party with your GivenGain page uploaded. This gives the attendees another opportunity to donate.

Matching gifts allow donors to increase their impact. When an employee of a participating company donates to your campaign, their company may match the donation to Mass Eye and Ear.

Each company sets its own program standards based on gift match ratios, minimums and maximums, and donor employment status. The donor should check if their company matches donations to health care organizations, including the Foundation of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Inc. (EIN/Tax ID Number: 04-2785453). If eligible, the company will submit a matching gift to be processed.

Each company has a submission process. Ask donors to check with their HR Department about matching gift programs. Mention this in your fundraising request and thank you messages.

How gifts are paid out

The payment process for matching gifts typically involves the following steps:

• Employee Donation: The employee donates to the runner.
• Matching Gift Request: The employee requests a match from their employer.
• Employer Review: The employer checks eligibility.
• Verification: The employer confirms the donation qualifies.
• Gift Matching: The employer sends the matching gift to Mass Eye and Ear by check, electronic funds transfer, or through a third-party matching gift platform.

Payment timing depends on the company: some pay monthly after the approved request, while others send matching gifts quarterly or annually in batches. If you're wondering when your donor’s gift will be matched, it's usually best to ask the donor who made the request—they can check with their HR team to find out where the payment is in the process.

Unfortunately, the company matching the gift and the processing platforms do not take time-sensitive fundraising goals into consideration or offer exceptions for faster processing.

The Mass Eye and Ear Development Office will update your GivenGain page with the matching gift and email you within three (3) business days of receiving payment.

Additional Resource

Use this free site to find out about matching gifts and check which companies match donations: Charity Navigator Employee Match Programs

All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent provided by the law. The 501(c)(3) tax identification number for the Foundation of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Inc is 04-2785453.

Check

Make check payable to "Foundation of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary". Please include the runner's name on the memo line or on an enclosed note and mail to the following address:

Mass Eye and Ear
Development Office
Team Eye and Ear
243 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114

Online via Credit Card

Make your gift online via credit card by visiting the runner's GivenGain page.

Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

Please select "Foundation of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Inc." at EIN/Tax ID: 04-2785453. You may see the parent company (Mass General Brigham; 399 Revolution Dr Somerville, MA), when making your grant, but rest assured that choosing the Tax ID: 04-2785453 will have your grant routed directly to Mass Eye and Ear. Please include the runner's name in any "special purpose" designation section.

MEEI Banking Instructions by ACH, Wire, or Stock Transfer

Mass Eye and Ear accepts donations via ACH/wire transfer and via stock/securities transfer. To support a Team Eye and Ear runner via any of these payment methods, please email gifts@meei.harvard.edu to receive detailed bank or stock transfer instructions.

The Mass Eye and Ear Development Office will update your GivenGain page with the matching gift and email you within three (3) business days of receiving payment.

Personalized one-on-one fundraising coaching are available by phone or email.