gotaed
You’ve taken a big step by starting your GotAED campaign β now it’s time to make it a success. GotAED is a crowdfunding platform, not a grant or donation program, which means the success of your campaign depends on your outreach, your story, and your willingness to ask for support. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Below you’ll find ready-to-send donor emails, social media templates, a suggested sharing schedule, and practical fundraising tips so you always know what to do next. Campaigns that share early, share often, and make it personal are the ones that cross the finish line. Bookmark this page, come back to it often, and remember β every message you send is one step closer to protecting hearts.
Your campaign page is your first impression. These three things separate the campaigns that reach their goal from the ones that fall short.
Be specific. Name your organization and what you're raising for. "Riverside Youth Soccer β AED for Woodlands Park" is far more compelling than "Help Us Get an AED." Donors connect with names and places they recognize.
This is the first thing donors see β make it count. A real photo of the kids, coaches, or community your AED will protect always outperforms a logo or generic image. Make it personal and it will move people to act.
Answer three questions: Who are you? Who will this AED protect? Why does this matter to you personally? You don't need anything long or polished β a few honest, heartfelt sentences will always beat a formal letter.
Not sure where to start? Watch how Felicia did it β then head back to your campaign page ready to write.
When Felicia decided her pool community needed an AED, she didn’t wait for someone else to act. She printed a flyer β explaining what an AED is, why they needed one, who it could save, and how easy they are to use β and posted it right where people would see it. Then she posted on social media every single day.
But here’s what made the difference: Felicia didn’t talk about dollars. She talked about progress. When they hit 25% of their goal, she posted it. When they were 75% of the way there, she posted that too. People didn’t just want to donate β they wanted to be part of something that was working. They wanted to help push it over the finish line.
That momentum got them an AED.
Watch Felicia share her full experience using GotAED.org β and see how straightforward the whole process can be.
Raising $1,200 for an AED and cabinet might sound like a lot, but when you break it down, it is very doable.
Think about all the people connected to your organization - parents, staff, alumni, neighbors, local businesses, community groups. If you can reach 100 people and ask for $25, even if only half respond, you will reach your goal.
The key is asking. People want to help - they just need to know how.
Spreading your outreach over time keeps your campaign visible without overwhelming anyone. Here is a suggested schedule:
| Week | Who to Contact | How |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Close friends, family, colleagues | Personal email, text, phone call |
| Week 3-4 | Social media followers, group chats, community groups | Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, group texts |
| Week 5-6 | Workplace contacts, professional network, local businesses | Email, LinkedIn, in-person ask |
| Week 7-8 | PTAs, booster clubs, service organizations, alumni groups | Email with campaign update and ask to share |
| Week 9-10 | Everyone - second ask to anyone who has not responded | Follow-up email, social media push |
| Week 11-12 | Final broad push across all networks | Urgency message: only X days left! |
Copy any of these emails, personalize the bracketed sections, and send to your network. The more people you reach, the closer you get to your AED.
Subject: Help [Organization Name] Get a Life-Saving AED
Hi [Name],
I’m reaching out because [Organization Name] is raising funds to get an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) through GotAED, a program of Simon’s Heart.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the #1 killer of student athletes, and an AED is the only device that can restart a heart during these emergencies. We want to make sure our kids are protected.
We need to raise $[amount] in 90 days, and every dollar counts. Even $10 brings us closer to having this life-saving device on-site.
Can you help? Here’s our campaign link: [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Thank you for helping us protect hearts and save lives.
Best,
[Your Name]
Subject: Why This AED Matters to Me
Hi [Name],
I wanted to share something personal. [Share your reason – Why is this AED important to you? Who does it protect? What would it mean for your community?]
That is why I started a campaign through GotAED to raise funds for an AED at [Organization Name]. It is the only device that can save someone experiencing Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and right now we do not have one.
I am hoping you will consider making a donation – any amount helps. Here is the link: [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
And if you can share this with even one other person, it makes a real difference.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Subject: Quick reminder – [Organization Name] AED campaign
Hi [Name],
Just bumping this up – I know life gets busy! We are still working to raise funds for an AED at [Organization Name], and we are [X]% of the way to our goal.
If you have not had a chance to donate yet, even a small contribution would mean a lot: [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
And if you have already donated – thank you! If you could share the link with one or two people, it would help us reach new supporters.
Grateful for your support,
[Your Name]
Subject: Can you help us spread the word?
Hi [Name],
Thank you so much for donating to our GotAED campaign! Your support means the world.
I have a small favor to ask – would you mind sharing our campaign link with your friends, family, or colleagues? Sometimes all it takes is one more share to reach someone who wants to help.
Here is the link: [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Together, we are making [Organization Name] safer for everyone.
Thank you again,
[Your Name]
Subject: [X] days left – help us cross the finish line!
Hi [Name],
Our GotAED campaign is in the final stretch – we have just [X] days left and need to raise $[remaining amount] to reach our goal.
This AED will protect every person who walks through the doors at [Organization Name]. We are so close, and your help right now can make the difference.
Can you donate or share our campaign one more time? [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Every dollar counts. Every share matters. Let us finish this together.
With gratitude,
[Your Name]
Subject: We did it! Thank you!
Hi [Name],
I am thrilled to share that our GotAED campaign reached its goal! Thanks to you and so many generous supporters, [Organization Name] is getting a life-saving AED.
This would not have happened without your support – whether you donated, shared our campaign, or simply cheered us on. You helped make our community safer.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Best,
[Your Name]
The campaigns that reach their goal are the ones that keep showing up. Post consistently, celebrate your progress publicly, and let your community feel like they’re part of something that’s already working. When people see you’re 25% there, they want to help get you to 50%. When you’re 75% there, they want to be the ones who push you over the finish line.
Make sure your privacy settings allow public sharing so your post reaches the widest audience
Post at least once a week β repetition works!
Tag your organization’s page to reach their followers too
Share updates as you hit milestones (“We’re 50% there!”)
Use a photo of your facility, your team, or the kids you’re protecting
Use this when you first launch your campaign to announce it to your community. This is your opening post β make it count!
Facebook & Text
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the #1 killer of student athletes. An AED is the only device that can save someone in SCA, and we’re raising funds to protect the kids at [Organization Name] through GotAED β a Simon’s Heart project. Help us reach our goal β every dollar adds up!
[YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
1 in 300 youth have an undiagnosed heart condition that can lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. We’re raising funds to get an AED to protect our kids. Every dollar brings us closer. Link in bio!
#GotAED #SimonsHeart #AEDsSaveLives #SuddenCardiacArrest #SCA #AED #ChainOfSurvival #RestartAHeart #RescueReady #ProtectOurKids
Text / Group Chat
Hey! [Organization Name] is raising money for a life-saving AED through GotAED. Can you chip in or share? Even $10 helps! [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Share these when you hit a milestone β 25%, 50%, 75%. People want to be part of something that’s working. Show them it’s working.
Facebook & Text
We’re [X]% of the way to our goal of getting an AED for [Organization Name]! Every donation β big or small β is getting us closer to protecting our community. If you haven’t donated yet, now is a great time.
[YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
We’re [X]% there! Help us get an AED for [Organization Name] β link in bio.
#GotAED #SimonsHeart #AEDsSaveLives #SuddenCardiacArrest #ProtectOurKids
Text / Group Chat
Hey! [Organization Name] is [X]% of the way to getting a life-saving AED. Can you chip in or share? Even $10 helps! [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Use these in the final stretch of your campaign when you need one last push. Urgency is real β use it.
Facebook & Text
We’re so close! Just [X]% left to reach our goal and bring a life-saving AED to [Organization Name]. Can you help us cross the finish line? Share this with someone who cares about our community.
[YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Almost there! Just [X]% left to reach our goal. Every dollar counts. Link in bio.
#GotAED #SimonsHeart #AEDsSaveLives #RescueReady #ChainOfSurvival
Text / Group Chat
Almost there! [Organization Name] needs just $[amount] more to get a life-saving AED. Can you help push us over the finish line? [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Use these to help your audience understand why an AED matters β great for reaching people who don’t know much about sudden cardiac arrest.
Facebook & Text
Did you know that for every minute without defibrillation, survival from Sudden Cardiac Arrest drops by 10%? An AED can mean the difference between life and loss. We’re raising funds to have one ready at [Organization Name].
[YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
SCA can happen to anyone β even young, healthy athletes. An AED on-site can save a life in minutes. We’re raising funds to protect [Organization Name]. Link in bio.
#GotAED #AED #SuddenCardiacArrest #SimonsHeart #RestartAHeart
Text / Group Chat
Did you know 1 in 300 youth have an undetected heart condition? We’re raising funds to get an AED for [Organization Name]. Every dollar counts. [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Gratitude posts keep your community engaged and often reach new donors. Use these after you receive donations or want to keep the energy going.
Facebook & Text
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! We’re [X]% of the way there β keep sharing and let’s get this done together. This campaign is personal. We want everyone who walks through the doors of [Organization Name] to know there’s a plan to protect them.
[YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! We’re [X]% of the way there β keep sharing and let’s get this done together. Link in bio.
#GotAED #SimonsHeart #ProtectOurKids #AEDsSaveLives
Text / Group Chat
Thank you so much for your support! We’re [X]% there. If you know anyone else who might help, please pass it on! [YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK]
"We are incredibly thankful to have an AED installed at Woodlands Park, which elevates our safety standards and gives us peace of mind. Knowing we have a piece of life-saving technology on-site creates a profound sense of security for our staff and visitors."
Your effort, persistence, and willingness to share your story are what make campaigns succeed. GotAED is here with you every step of the way.
Questions? Contact us at info@gotaed.org
