Fundraising Tips from Vin (Fu Manchu)

Fundraising Tips by TR2E 

Vin Framularo (AKA Fu Manchu)

Vin is celebrating his 2nd year on Team Run 2 Empower, although given his energy it feels like he's been part of our family for much longer.  In his first year as part of the Team, he fundraised nearly $4,000 for Vermont Adaptive.  His most memorable fundraising effort was through the 'decide how I shave my face' fundraiser (a.k.a. the Fu Manchu challenge), which he discussed further below.  He's got lots of great fundraising ideas - read further to pick up some valuable tips!

I’m from Trumbull, CT and come from a very close family of 3 sisters and a brother.  Growing up our parents always encouraged us to try all sports, and somewhere along the line distance running stuck with me, and I’m glad it did.

I’m the only runner in the family, as every family needs at least one super fun crazy distance runner...right?  I have been a competitive runner since I was 13, but I first started running when I was 9 years old to improve my basketball game, which was my favorite sport at the time.

At that young age I had the bright idea to strap ankle weights on, and run up a two mile loop in the Berkshire Mountains while we would go on family summer trips.  My parents luckily didn’t think I was a crazy 9 year old, and encouraged me.  My dad would follow me up and around the mountain in the family van at the time.  

I didn’t realize it at the time, but even at that age, I was willing to do whatever it takes to be the best version of myself.  Over the years I’ve come to realize running became a great outlet for my endless energy.  

I had run some marathons during and after my college running career, but in 2017 caught the marathon bug again and wanted to run the Bend Oregon Marathon.  Never in a million years did I think, nor did I have the desire, to run an Ultra Marathon.

Nine weeks before that race I broke my back snowboarding, and the doctors said I would probably never run again.  I refused to accept that prognosis, so in typical injured runner fashion, decided to do the half marathon instead!  Nine weeks later, I did the slowest, but most fun half marathon of my life in Bend Oregon!  Three weeks later, I completed my first ultra distance with the CT Trailmixers, and fell in love with the ultra running community.

Vin coming into VT100 Ten bear 2019

Why did you want to fundraise for Vermont Adaptive? Do you have a connection to the cause?

I first learned about the Vermont 100 thru the CT Trailmixers, and was first introduced to Vermont Adaptive at a Two Roads Brewery event in Stratford, CT.  

There, I learned about the amazing work they do with adaptive athletes as well as our disabled Veterans, and that running the Vermont 100 could benefit those impacted by this great organization.  My father is a disabled Veteran, so this really hit home for me.

Having almost lost my ability to run with a serious back injury, I thought to myself “what better way to take on such a challenge, and use my passion for running, to benefit adaptive athletes thru Team Run 2 Empower!”  Compared to my back injury, they overcome even more serious obstacles on a daily basis, but don’t let such obstacles stop them from what they love to do!

I emailed Amy the next morning to join Team Run 2 Empower!  It was my first time ever fundraising for an organization in my running career.

What fundraising tips do you want to share with your TR2E teammates? Please share your ideas and what has worked and not worked for you.

I found the best thing for fundraising is to use my story to inspire others to achieve THEIR goals.  I try to create an “experience” so that they become stakeholders in my journey.  I do this by focusing on 4 things:

1. Fun engagement 
2. Bonuses - things that cost nothing or little aside from your time
3. Events - such as a thank you happy hour (can also use as a fundraising event)
4. Giveaways - either thru raffle prizes or regular bonuses (can get donated by local companies)

Specifically I try to offer fun bonuses for donors that inspires them...such as coaching calls, inspirational gifts with my favorite sayings (hats, headbands), raffle prizes, even my favorite books on fitness or mindset...so that they feel like they are involved in Vermont Adaptive’s mission with me.  

I keep them engaged by regularly sharing training updates and motivational inspiration on social media.  The goal of this is not to showcase my training, but to help inspire them.  It also enables donors to follow along and see all the hard work their donations are going towards.

Try to give them something fun in return for their donation, so that they feel a sense of involvement in our mission.  As a professional marketer, I know that even tho we are fundraising for charity, people still want something in return for their donation.  Whether it’s a sense of inspiration, involvement, a gift, or a thank you note.

Because of this, I get messages every week from donors that are friends, family, and even people that I have never met in which our fundraising efforts have helped inspire them to get off the couch and run their first 5k, or even overcome a life obstacle they are facing.

Fu Manchu..bring it back!

What the most creative fundraiser you have done to date?

People love the “coaching call” bonus I offer them.  I give them as much time as they want on the phone, typically 30 mins to an hour, to help them with their fitness or training goals. Because most people may not know where to start.  

Last year I even let donors decide to vote on shaving my beard into a Fu Manchu (by allowing each person who donated to vote on how I would shave my face), which now teammates and donors want me to bring back for this year!  This made following my training updates on social media slightly more entertaining, as they would see me with this ridiculous thing on my face...that they made happen!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

The key is creating a fun, memorable and meaningful experience for your stakeholders as they follow your journey to the Vermont 100.  

Give your audience something they may be interested in and excited about.  Create a narrative that can emotionally inspire them.  This is so much more effective than saying “hey I’m running this awesome race for a great cause, please donate!”.

Also an easy but very effective tip is to setup your own memorable domain, and have it forward to your PledgeReg page.  For instance I use VinRuns.com.  If you need help on how to set this up, let me know!

Thanks Vin for sharing all these invaluable tips with your teammates! Your infectious enthusiasm and positivity is delightful. Thanks for being such a great ambassador for the VT100, Vermont Adaptive, and TR2E!!  Can't wait to see you rock 2020 Vermont 100!!