Sponsor tips

Complete your registration with a donation to yourself. Your good example will definitely inspire potential sponsors.

Use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to spread the word. Use social media during your training sessions, talk about how your campaign is progressing, and ask for a (small) contribution. Always refer to your personal page and use the hashtag #NvdV19

Tip: Create a Facebook or WhatsApp group for your team

Want to keep all your team members up to date about your training, campaign, and other practical matters? Create a Facebook or WhatsApp group to share any important information.

Experience shows that the most important reason for people to sponsor participants with a donation is because they've been told about the campaign personally. Tell your colleagues, fellow students, fellow athletes, people in the canteen, or people at parties about your participation in the Night of the Refugee! If they're interested, always immediately ask them to donate, rather than waiting until the following day.

Don't be afraid to ask. After all, the money is intended for refugees and not yourself.

Create a list of people and/or companies you're planning to ask for a contribution. Come up with stories on how to approach different people: the emotional story of a refugee? The fact that you're going to walk 40 kilometers at night? The more personal, the better!

Come up with a separate promotional campaign to raise money. For example, you could bake (cup)cakes, wash cars, or provide others a helping hand with something you're good at. Keep a finger on what's happening among friends and family and act accordingly. Organize a benefit concert, high tea, neighborhood barbecue, or flea market where the proceeds are contributed to your campaign.

The bakery, supermarket on the corner, or your neighborhood pub: these are all businesses that may be interested in your achievements. Make sure to come up with an enticing story and approach them personally.

Tip: Provide compensation

For example, you could ask for a donation in exchange for your wearing the company logo on your shirt (guaranteed to be seen by thousands of people!).

Stay in touch with your sponsors. Provide regular updates. For example, let them know whether you're on schedule in terms of training or how much money you've managed to raise already. Important: thank everyone who has supported you. Do this immediately after you've received a contribution or after the walk.

Tip: Create a WhatsApp group for potential sponsors

Tell everyone in your network that you're participating, and immediately ask them if they're interested in sponsoring you. Create a WhatsApp group with contacts who know each other. Ask questions and refer to your personal campaign page.

Participating as a team? Organize a sponsoring campaign with your walking companions and show that you're aiming for the same goal as a team! This isn't just effective, but also fun.

Ask your direct environment for a specific contribution. For example, for just 15 euros, you can already provide a family with shelter. See our examples for inspiration.

Have you considered approaching the regional or local newspaper, for example? Or a radio or TV station? They'll always be looking for local news: approach them with your story or campaign. An interview is easy to set up and can help enormously towards gathering sponsors.

You are free to download our promotional material, such as the Night of the Refugee logo and banner.