This is How It's Done
We’ve got digital tools and tips to help you to spread the word! Grab resources from prewriten email templates and a press release or premade social media graphics. We love to see our partners active on social media!
Fundraising Tips
#1 Create Your Message
Develop a catchy, engaging message that will inspire people to support your cause and recycle unwanted athletic sneakers. Don’t just notify people of your campaign; let them know why you are doing it. The WHY is very impactful!
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Recycling and Sustainability Message
Did you know most people throw away their unwanted sneakers after 250-400 miles, or every 125-200 days? Since sneakers are manufactured with materials that are not biodegradable, they remain in landfills or are incinerated which leads to toxic chemicals in our air and soil.
The EPA estimates that 200-300 million pairs of shoes are thrown into our landfills each year. With your help, we can keep sneakers out of landfills, reduce toxic chemicals in our air and soil, and raise money to support our cause. Let’s make a difference together!
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Circular Economy Message
Did you know the process of manufacturing sneakers produces large amounts of CO2, which contributes to the serious effects of climate change and global warming? Recycling and reusing sneakers keeps sneakers out of landfills, reduces the need for manufacturing new shoes and sneakers, and supports a healthy circular economy. Help us by simply cleaning out your closet and sending us your old athletic sneakers!
#2 Tap Into Your Network
Start with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Ask them to register with GotSneakers and be sure to share your Payee Name and Payee Email so you receive credit. Encourage each supporter to fill at least one collection bag (10–15 pairs), or more if they’re able.
#3 Marketing Materials:
Use GotSneakers&rsqo; digital marketing materials available on our support page to promote your fundraiser campaign. Send e-blasts and post on social media to spread awareness about your cause. We love to see our partners active on social media!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @gotsneakersusa and tag us so we can give you a shout out and support your marketing efforts! Market, advertise, socialize!
#4 Drop-Off Sites
Drop-off locations make participation easy. Choose visible, accessible spots and partner with local businesses when possible. Share these locations with your network so donating sneakers is simple and convenient - the easier it is, the more you’ll collect.
#5 Stay Connected & Follow Up
Keep your supporters engaged with weekly group email or text reminders. Consistent communication builds momentum and shows your passion - both are key to a successful sneaker drive.
Social Media Assets
Email Templates
Copy and paste the Email Templates and replace your organization’s information where needed.
#1
Did you know that your gently worn sneakers could help (insert your cause/message)?
Well, they can and here’s how…Our team is participating in a fundraiser where there is nothing to buy or sell; All we need is your support and your gently worn, used, or new sneakers!
Here’s how you can help:
Start in your and your family’s closets and gather as many pair of sneakers that you no longer want; maybe you’ve out-grown them, they’re out of style, or out of season. If you and your household have 20 pairs, great! If not, don’t worry. You can ask your neighbors, friends, co-workers, and anyone in your social networks to help out. Every pair counts!
The sneakers that we all collect will help raise money to support our program AND will help our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills.
Can we count on you?
#2
It’s hard to believe that an estimated 600 million pair of shoes go into America’s landfills every year! 100% of these shoes can be recycled and the majority of these shoes can still be reused. That’s why we have decided to start a sneaker drive fundraiser with GotSneakers. The sneakers that we collect through the GotSneakers program will help us raise much needed funds AND will keep sneakers out of landfills. Talk about a win-win!
Can you collect 15-20 pair of sneakers to help us out? With your help, we can achieve great results! If you can’t collect 15-20 pair, don’t worry. Just collect as many pair as you can. Every pair counts!
#3
So far we have received (number) bags with 15-20 pairs of gently worn, used, and new sneakers. That puts us at (%) of our goal. We are doing great but we still need your help, and time is of the essence!
Please take a moment to look through your closets and to ask your neighbors and friends to do the same. We are counting on you!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to help us raise money and make a difference!
#4:
We have collected (number) bags with 15-20 pair of gently worn, used, and new sneakers. That leaves us only (%) from our goal.
If you haven’t collected and donated your sneakers yet, please try to collect them as soon as possible as we will be wrapping up our sneaker drive campaign very soon.
Remember, every pair helps. We are sincerely thankful for all of your support!
#5:
Thank you to everyone who participated in our sneaker drive fundraiser! With your support and effort, we have reached our goal! Congratulations to everyone who contributed!
We sincerely appreciate your help and we look forward to your partnership next year. Please contact us if you have more sneakers!
Thank YOU!
Press Release Template
Copy and paste the Press Release Template and replace your organization’s information where needed.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(YOUR ORGANIZATION’S NAME) Launches Sneaker Drive Fundraiser to Raise Money for (YOUR CAUSE)
(City, State, Year) -- (YOUR ORGANIZATION’S NAME AND URL) is holding an athletic shoe drive fundraiser on (INSERT DATES OF SNEAKER DRIVE) to raise money for (INSERT CAUSE). (YOUR ORGANIZATION) will earn funds based on the total quantity of gently worn, used, and new sneakers collected. GotSneakers, a social enterprise, will issue funds in compensation for the collected sneakers. Those funds will benefit (YOUR CAUSE). Anyone can help by simply donating gently worn, used, and new sneakers.
GotSneakers has developed a unique fundraising program that asks communities to reach into their closets, not their pockets! The sneaker recycling program helps keeps sneakers out of landfills, which has harmful effects on our environment, and helps organizations like ours raise much needed funds. The program is truly a win – win! Learn more about GotSneakers by visiting their website at www.gotsneakers.com.
“We are excited about our sneaker drive fundraiser,” said (ORGANIZATION SPOKESPERSON, TITLE).
“We know that most people have extra sneakers in their closets they would like to donate rather than throw away. By doing so, we raise money for (INSERT CAUSE) and help the environment. It’s a win – win for everyone!”
About (YOUR ORGANIZATION)
(INSERT A FEW SENTENCES ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION)
Contact
NAME, TITLE
ORGANIZATION NAME
Office: TELEPHONE NUMBER
Email: EMAIL