Whether you’re rallying as a team or going solo, this toolkit will help you achieve your fundraising goal.
Leading up to our BATL for Mental Health axe–throwing tournament on February 26, we’re challenging you to take a swing at stigma and raise funds for accessible, affordable, community-based mental health programs. Not signed up yet? Register here.
Your goal is to raise a minimum of $500 per team (or $100 per person).
By fundraising, you’ll support local mental health initiatives and the teams that raise the most will win great prizes for the whole group to enjoy.
Five fundraising tips to keep in mind
1. A little goes a long way. Ask family, friends, or coworkers to support your fundraiser. If just five people in your network give $20, you’ve already reached $100!. Start by donating to your own fundraiser and then ask others to join you.
2. Share your goal. People will want to help you get there! It always helps to have a clear benchmark to work towards. And it feels great when you’ve brought a group together to achieve it.
3. Let your personality shine through. Start by using the sample emails and social posts below, but be sure to add a personal touch. When you ask someone to donate, let them know why this cause matters to you. You’ll also get more responses with a personal ask, rather than bcc’ing your whole address book.
4. Show the impact. One in five people in Canada struggle with their mental health. Their donation will ensure more people get the help they need, when they need it. Learn more about how United Way East Ontario addresses the increasing and complex mental health needs of our communities.
5. Take the conversation offline too. Sharing a fundraising ask on your personal Instagram or LinkedIn is great—don’t get us wrong. But if you’re feeling stuck trying to achieve your goal, consider asking a friend out for coffee or bringing up your fundraiser at a family dinner.
🌟 Bonus: If you have a bit more time to spare, you could organize a bake sale, clothing swap, or trivia night in exchange for small donations. Be creative and have fun with it. At the end of the day, we want you to have a good time for a good cause.
It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to say thank you! It means a lot when someone chooses to donate, so make sure to let them know—whether it’s with a written note or a big hug—how grateful you are for their support.
Because of your fundraising efforts, United Way East Ontario can create lasting change in the lives of the most vulnerable people across Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County, and Renfrew County.
Fundraising Resources
FUNDRAISING EMAIL
Hi NAME,
On February 26, I’m participating in BATL for Mental Health—a fundraiser with United Way East Ontario for accessible, affordable, community-based mental health programs.
One in five people in Canada struggle with their mental health. I want to make sure that when a person is ready to reach out for help, someone will always be there to listen—immediately, appropriately, and with care.
My team’s goal is to raise $500, and we’d love your support to help us get there. (OR: My goal is to raise $100, and I’d love your support to help me get there.)
Make your donation here: ADD THE LINK TO YOUR FUNDRAISING PAGE
Your donation will go towards one-on-one counselling, suicide prevention initiatives, peer support groups, mental health initiatives in after-school programs, and more. Get more info about how your donation will make a difference on United Way’s website,
I hope you’ll donate today and help me go to BATL for mental health.
Thank you!
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JOIN MY TEAM EMAIL
Hi NAME,
Will you join my team for BATL for Mental Health? It’s an axe-throwing tournament and fundraiser with United Way East Ontario on Thursday, February 26.
We need a team of five people and I’d love for you to be part of it! It’s going to be a fun night out at BATL Ottawa where we’ll get to throw some axes, enjoy some snacks, and maybe even win some prizes.
The goal is to raise $500 as a team with funds going towards accessible, affordable, community-based mental health programs.
I hope you’ll join TEAM NAME today and help me in this BATL.
Register here: ADD LINK TO REGISTER
When you fill out the registration details, it’ll ask you to either create or join a team. Choose “join a team” and search for TEAM NAME to get added to our group.
Thank you!
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THANK YOU EMAIL
Hi NAME,
Thank you so much for donating to my BATL for Mental Health fundraiser with United Way East Ontario.
It means a lot to me that you chose to support me and this important cause. Thanks to your generosity, United Way will be able to provide accessible, affordable, community-based mental health programs to those in need. So, it’s easier for people to get help when they need it.
You can learn more about United Way and sign up for their free monthly newsletter to see the impact of your donation in the community.
My team reached our $500 fundraising goal, and we couldn’t have done it without you. (OR: I reached my $100 fundraising goal, and I couldn’t have done it without you.)
Thanks again!
Share or customize one of the posts below to get the word out about your fundraiser. Follow United Way East Ontario on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to reshare our posts and encourage others to join you.
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LINKEDIN OR FACEBOOK
❓ Did you know that 1 in 5 Canadians over the age of 12 said they needed help with their mental health in the past year? Would you be surprised to find out that nearly half (45%) of those struggling were unable to get the support they needed to feel better?
I’m participating in #BATLforMentalHealth with United Way East Ontario to raise funds for accessible, affordable, community-based mental health programs. I want to let people who are struggling with their mental health know that they are not alone. ❤️
My team’s goal is to raise $500, and I need your help to get there! (OR: My goal is to raise $100, and I need your help to get there!)
⏰ If you can, please donate to help me reach my goal before February 26: ADD LINK TO YOUR FUNDRAISING PAGE
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Can I axe you a question? 🪓 Will you support my #BATLforMentalHealth?
I’m participating in an axe-throwing tournament with @UnitedWayEO that aims to take a swing at stigma and raise funds for accessible, affordable, community-based mental health programs.
One in five people in Canada struggle with their mental health and I want to do something to let them know that they aren’t alone. ❤️
My team’s goal is to raise $500 by February 26, and I need your help to get there! (OR: My goal is to raise $100 by February 26, and I need your help to get there!)
🔗 Click the link in my bio to make a donation or send me a DM for more info.
- Nearly 2 in 5 Ottawa students reported struggling with their mental health.
- 26% of people in Ontario reported their mental health as poor or fair.
- 1 in 3 students surveyed in Ottawa and rural East Ontario wanted mental health supports but did not seek them out.
- Every day, people in our communities are struggling with isolation and anxiety. The rising cost of living, the loss of a loved one, an increase in caregiving responsibilities, or any other of life’s curveballs only add pressure for someone who is already overwhelmed.
- Often, people experiencing the worst mental health also face barriers in getting help. When there aren’t enough places that feel safe, speak your language, or reflect your identity, it’s hard to know where to turn.
- No one should have to wait for help when life feels heavy. Your support fuels a network of frontline services that ensure people have access to quick and affordable mental health, substance use, and crisis care. Learn more.
- Donations to United Way East Ontario’s BATL for Mental Health go towards accessible, culturally safe, community-led, mental health programs in Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County, and Renfrew County.
We’ll have great prizes for the team that raises the most. A little healthy competition couldn’t hurt, right?
If you have questions about BATL for Mental Health before February 26, check out our FAQ or reach out to eventregistration@unitedwayeo.ca.
