Why It Matters
Fundraising is essential for Group B Strep International because it helps the organization raise awareness, educate the public, and support research on Group B Streptococcus (GBS). We work to inform healthcare providers and expectant parents about GBS, which can cause serious infections in newborns. With funds raised, we can expand our outreach, create helpful educational materials, and advocate for policies that protect mothers and babies. By organizing fundraisers, you can play a crucial role in making a difference and helping to save lives through better understanding and prevention of GBS.
Organize a Fundraiser for GBSI
Let's come together to spread GBS awareness! Once you have a fundraiser idea, email [email protected] so we can provide you with any informational materials or support you need!
Getting Started:
First things first - get your 5 W's in order to set up the framework of your fundraiser!
Helpful Tips for Planning Your Fundraiser:
- Who are you trying to reach and who do you want to attend?
- What type of event are you looking to host?
- When (date/time) do you want to your fundraiser to take place? Make sure you give yourself enough time to plan and execute your fundraiser.
- Where will your fundraiser take place?
- Why are you fundraising? Knowing your mission will help you reach your goals!
Helpful Tips for Planning Your Fundraiser:
- Set a goal and make a timeline
- Make a budget of possible costs
- Ask people to help volunteer at your event
- Research your venue (check for proper utilities, surrounding events, permits, insurance etc)
- Order materials in advance
Fundraiser Ideas
Funds raised by spreading awareness in your community go towards spreading awareness worldwide, so even a small project has a big impact!
- Sponsor your steps: Organize a walk-a-thon or fun run. Ask family and friends to join or sponsor your steps, whether it's a penny per step or $100 for reaching 50,000 steps - it adds up!
- Trivia Night: Invite your friends and host a night of trivia. Whether it's pay-to-play or you raffle off prizes between rounds, it's sure to be fun! You can even find quizzes online that are ready to go.
- Garage Sale: Use this time to sort through your closet or those boxes in the garage you've been meaning to get to. Sell the items online or at a garage sale and donate the funds to GBSI.
- Facebook birthday fundraising: Consider asking your friends to donate in lieu of birthday gifts
- Social Media Campaign: Spread the word about donating to GBS for your fundraiser. Reach out to us and we can set up a special donation page just for your fundraiser!
- Host a bake sale: Cater to the sweet tooths of the world with your at home baking skills.
- Charity sporting event: organize a football, softball, baseball, basketball game, etc
- Car wash: With a hose and some suds, you can make a difference!
- Host an event: Whether a silent auction, bunco night, or fashion show - bring your community for a night of fun and fundraising.
- Birthday & Angelversary events to promote GBS awareness
Ask a local business to support your cause! Stores and restaurants often host fundraising days where a percentage of the sales goes to your cause! Chick-fil-a, Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, Chili's, Applebee's, California Pizza Kitchen, Blaze Pizza, Pieology, IHOP, and Olive Garden are just a few you can try! You raise money for an important cause, and they get more business - it's a win-win scenario!
What's Next?
Tell us about it
Tell us about it! Email us at [email protected] or message us on social media @groupBstrep. Share your pictures and stories! We not only want to help promote your event before it happens, but we want also want to promote it after to help encourage others to spread GBS awareness!
Get the Word Out
The more people that know, the more successful your event will be! Let us know about your fundraiser, we want to help! To find others interested in participating in a fundraiser, visit our Facebook page here.
Ask your friends and followers on social media to support and participate in your fundraiser! Get the word out to a larger community through posters, other parent groups, or sending press releases to local news media! If you need help with a press release, download our template and fill in the blanks!
You may also want to consider getting a sponsor for your event! Many companies and local business love to give back to their communities whether its through donating money or goods. Some companies will even match donations, so don't be afraid to ask!
Ask your friends and followers on social media to support and participate in your fundraiser! Get the word out to a larger community through posters, other parent groups, or sending press releases to local news media! If you need help with a press release, download our template and fill in the blanks!
You may also want to consider getting a sponsor for your event! Many companies and local business love to give back to their communities whether its through donating money or goods. Some companies will even match donations, so don't be afraid to ask!
Collect Donations
If you want to make it easy for participants to donate online, create a fundraising page linked directly to GBSI! You can also consider collecting funds via cash, zelle, check, venmo, cashapp, and text-to-donate systems,
Examples of Past Fundraisers:
Reagan's Ride
This amazing fundraiser is held each year in Broadalbin, New York, complete with a motorcycle ride, raffles, food, and more!
Special thanks to Amanda and Brandon Caldwell and the many people who helped them raise GBS awareness and $2970 for GBSI at the 9th Annual Reagan’s Ride on August 2nd, bringing the total raised by Reagan’s Rides to over $35,000 for the past 9 years!
Over 80 people and 45 bikes came out to support the cause this year in honor of Reagan Caldwell, GBS meningitis survivor. Special recognition and gratitude to Down Range Riders, Blood and Steel chapter for doing such an incredible job with this event year after year as well as a big thanks to Veterans Motorcycle Club Chapter 8 for their support!
We are grateful to all who participated to help save lives and heartache for families!
Learn about Reagan's experience with GBS meningitis.
Special thanks to Amanda and Brandon Caldwell and the many people who helped them raise GBS awareness and $2970 for GBSI at the 9th Annual Reagan’s Ride on August 2nd, bringing the total raised by Reagan’s Rides to over $35,000 for the past 9 years!
Over 80 people and 45 bikes came out to support the cause this year in honor of Reagan Caldwell, GBS meningitis survivor. Special recognition and gratitude to Down Range Riders, Blood and Steel chapter for doing such an incredible job with this event year after year as well as a big thanks to Veterans Motorcycle Club Chapter 8 for their support!
We are grateful to all who participated to help save lives and heartache for families!
Learn about Reagan's experience with GBS meningitis.
LyNN'S Totes for Mena
|
Proceeds from the sales of these hand-screenprinted natural color tote bags were donated to Group B Strep International to help #starttheGBSconversation.
"These tote bags are made with love and care to honor my angel, Philomena Rose, who was born sleeping 11/15/14. This design comes from an original painting I did of a rose shortly after losing our Mena. The rose has brought a whole new meaning to me, my husband, our family and friends as a representation of our angel. Our hope by selling these bags is to keep Mena’s memory alive and raise money for GBSI and awareness of GBS in her name, so that some day no other child, parent or family has to suffer as a result this disease. Thank you so much for supporting this cause that is so near and dear to me and my family. With love and gratitude, Mena’s Mama" |
|
MacKay "Finnegan" Bag
|
"Hi, my name is Heather Bryan and I lost my son Finnegan to Group B Strep. I decided to start a fundraiser for Group B Strep to honor Finnegan and to raise more awareness and money. It is a new venture I just started. I believe that selling this online will help awareness and has already given me the opportunity to share my story locally in my area to help prevent this pain for others.
We sold out our first small batch of the bags I designed in Finnegan's name in the first week and have more being made!!! It is so exciting and it is a great way for me to share my story to help others." | Heather's website |
Angel Ride for Emma Faye Wallgren
|
Emma's parents organized a horse-drawn carriage ride in their community to raise awareness and funds for GBSI in memory of their daughter who passed away due to late-onset GBS disease.
|
|
Emma Faye Wallgren GBS Awareness Walk-a-thon
|
Emma's parents held annual walk-a-thons in their daughter's memory to raise funds for awareness and community involvements, with 50% of all profit being sent to Group B Strep International.
|
|
Asher's Fight sponsored a Family Fun Day
|
|
Kylie Vinsant of Asher’s Fight was interviewed about GBS on ABC Atlanta! Thank you, Kylie and Cara, for holding the family fun day at Oak Mountain State Park in Birmingham, AL to raise funds for GBSI!
|
Thirty-One Fundraiser by Kim Wagner
|
"Hello everyone! My name is Kim Wagner and I am the mother of a miracle baby! My now 13 month old daughter was diagnosed with late-onset GBS at 2 months old.
We are so lucky to have her here with us and we want to raise as much awareness as possible. We ran a Thirty-One fundraiser in her honor to donate 100% commission to GBS International. Let’s all join together and raise awareness for this horrible disease!!!" |
This is my sweet girl rocking her pretty pink hearing aide and enjoying her popsicle!
|
STEP for GBS Awareness
|
By participating in Step for GBS Awareness, you can help spread awareness—every step you take is a step toward protecting babies worldwide. Whether you walk, run, or simply show your support, your involvement makes a meaningful difference.
Use your phone, smart watch, or pedometer to track your steps! Getting out and about helps create visibility. Stroll through your neighborhood, run through the park, climb the stairs at work, or step anywhere in your community. Help spread awareness through visibility! Be recognized as a Step Star by reaching certain goals and sharing your progress. |