Fundraising

Fundraising 101 

As part of our non-profit mission Hospice of Southern Maine cares for anyone seeking care, regardless of their insurance coverage, ability to pay, housing status, or other personal circumstances. In order to be true to our mission, we rely on support from our community and people like you to ensure that no one is turned away. The money you raise by participating in Hike for Hospice will support Hospice of Southern Maine in continuing to provide high-quality end-of-life care and grief support to all who seek it.

Two smiling people at a charity walk event near a body of water, giving thumbs up. The woman on the left is wearing sunglasses and a black shirt, and the man on the right is wearing a black hoodie with a name tag. The background features trees with fall foliage and a clear sky.

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Fundraising Prizes

Every Hike for Hospice participant will receive a 2025 Hike for Hospice shirt (while supplies last). In-person participants can collect their shirts at registration on event day. Virtual walkers can pick theirs up at the Hospice Center anytime after October 15th.

We will have an array of prizes for our top fundraisers. Kids can join in on the fun too! There will be a special raffle for them. And don’t forget, we’ll be awarding more prizes to our Top Individual Fundraiser and Top Team! All fundraising prizes will be determined based on fundraising totals as of 10am on Friday, October 24th.

The special hiker who not only has fun, but also goes above and beyond for the hospice cause will receive our Community Spirit Butterfly Wings.

Five smiling women standing outdoors, wearing matching blue shirts with 'Hike for Hospice' logos, with event name badges around their necks, and one holding a dog on a leash. Clear blue sky and a house are in the background.

Register and fundraise to be entered to win amazing prizes. Come back to this page for new prizes coming between now and event day!

Below are examples of 2025 prizes.  

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Top Fundraiser

Top Team

Spirit Award

This award is given to an individual who goes above and beyond for Hike for Hospice in their fundraising and enthusiasm for the hospice cause.

$500+ Raffle

  • Gift certificate for a three-course dinner for two at Sea Glass by The Inn by the Sea

$300+ Raffle

Kids Raffle

General Raffle

All participants who register before Friday, October 24th at 10am will be entered into our General Raffle.

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Thank you to our community partners for these incredible prizes!

Help! How do I fundraise?

Fundraising can seem intimidating if you don't know where to start, but it's easier than you think to hit your goal. Asking people to support you means asking them to support Hospice of Southern Maine. Your loved ones will be moved by your commitment to support high-quality end-of-life care. 

​Here are some helpful tips for fundraisers:

  • Start off by making a small donation to yourself. It's a lot easier to ask friends and family for a donation when you can say, "Can you join me? I donated $20!"

  • Remind donors that their support will help provide compassionate, comfort-focused care through end of life. Let them know where their dollars go: 100% of funds raised are invested into programming at Hospice of Southern Maine. Explain to your friends and family how the work of Hospice of Southern Maine impacts them. Reinforce that every dollar donated helps and no donation is too small.

  • Each participant has a unique fundraising page. You can personalize your page and share it with anyone you like, so, tell your story!

    Spend a few minutes adding a custom photo and a paragraph about why you're participating in Hike for Hospice. Explain your reasons for participating and why you joined this fun event. Then, share your page with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might want to contribute.

    And remember: On average customized pages get 20% more donations than pages with generic text. 

  • Set a personal fundraising goal. Then double it! That will be the number you see on your fundraising page. If your goal is too low, people stop giving. If your goal is high, they will help you meet it.

  • You'll be surprised at who responds! Also make sure to email your request more than once. Send emails out to everyone in your contact list, let them know your fundraising goal and give them a link to your fundraising page. Check back frequently and send follow-up emails. 

    ​Remember: Email generates the lion’s share of all donations. We recommend asking once and sending a reminder about a week later. You will be amazed at how many people, not just close friends, will be excited to donate to your fundraising effort.

  • Consider using your computer camera or smart phone to record a one-minute video of yourself. Upload your video to YouTube, Facebook, or your Instagram account. Explain what your goal is and how people can help. Link it back to your fundraising page and share it far and wide.

  • Not everyone uses Facebook, but if you do, it can be an enormous help. Do you tweet, use Instagram, or other social media? Make sure all your friends know about Hike for Hospice and your personal fundraising goal. The more you spread the word, the more success you’ll have. Post updates to your own page and tag Hospice of Southern Maine. 

    ​Note: Facebook is responsible for 90% of social donations. 

  • Many employers are willing to offer matching gifts for charitable events. Does your business have a matching gifts program? It never hurts to ask. Send your employer to the Hike for Hospice website – who knows? They might even want to become a sponsor!

  • We all have special skills. Tap into your best talents to support your fundraising. 

    Invite your friends and family to join you, and make your fundraising goal a team effort! Remember—you are not asking for money for yourself—you are fundraising for Hospice of Southern Maine.