Prepare
•    Choose a date that you know will work for people you'd like to attend.

•    Consider asking a few friends to help you plan. You can even list them as co-hosts to attract more people who will recognize the names.

•    Call guests or use WVE’s online invite tool at least 1 week in advance and ask for an RSVP. Make sure to include directions to the party location.

•    Let guests know that they are participating in a worldwide effort to remove toxics from cleaners. So far there are nearly 600 parties set up in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. And, the parties have been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, Ebony, and more!

•    Let folks know that your party is a fundraiser – and that whatever amount they raise will be doubled by other WVE supporters! Set a goal ($100, $300, $500, etc), and tell guests that their donation will help eliminate toxics from cleaners. People will appreciate your appeal for a good cause!

•    Offer people the opportunity to donate even if they cannot attend your party. They can donate online or write a check to WVE. If they donate online, ask them to write in the comments section of the donation page: [YOUR NAME] green cleaning fundraiser so that we know the donation came from your party. If they donate by check, please ask them to write [YOUR NAME] green cleaning fundraiser somewhere on the check.

Cut Costs
•    Ask guests to bring supplies to the party. One person can bring baking soda, another vinegar, a third can bring olive oil, etc.

•    Have a potluck meal. Make sure to coordinate who brings what so you don't end up with all desserts!

Generate Turn-Out
•    A couple days before the event, call people you haven't heard from to encourage them to come.

Get Creative with Fundraising
•    Highlight how inexpensive these non-toxic cleaning products are to make and suggest that each person donate what they would have spent on cleaning products for the year.

•    Play the Green Clean video (either online or in your DVD player), and hold a discussion. Afterwards, remind folks that in order to make change, we need your support. (If someone asks a question that you don’t know the answer to, you can refer the individual to WVE’s website or our office.)

•    Talk about why you support WVE. Ask others to share if they have any personal experience with toxics in products. A personal connection is the best way to engage folks in giving.

•    Put out a hat or a vase on a table to collect checks. Remind guests that from now until the end of the year, their contributions to WVE will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Ask them to give as generously as they are able. Checks may be written to WVE.

Follow Up
•    Print the Party Guest Pledge Form so that you can write down the contact information for everyone who gave a donation. Or, ask your guests to fill out the form when they make their gift. WVE would like to send thank you notes to people who donate money.

What to do with your contributions and guest list
•    Send in your party guests’ donations and pledge form before December 31 to qualify for the matching gift and to be eligible for a fabulous prize from our partners Eileen Fisher and Patagonia.

•    Mail the donations, along with the pledge form, to:
WVE
P.O. Box 8743
Missoula, MT 59807  

 OR

If you have a computer or laptop set up at your party, guests can make donations online immediately. Please ask guests to write in the comments section of the donation page: [YOUR NAME] green cleaning fundraiser. This way, we’ll know to credit the donations to your fundraising party.

If you have any questions, please call 406-543-3747 or email wve@womenandenvironment.org. Thank you for your support, and HAVE FUN!

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