Fundraising is key for making a real impact, but it can feel tricky when you're just starting out. Don’t worry - we’ve got answers to your biggest questions!
Your support as a fundraiser makes all the difference. By rallying donors and involving the RUF community, you help turn ideas into action. Fundraising isn’t about pressure - it’s about teamwork, recognition, and celebrating the difference we make together!
The Impact of Your Support
Direct beneficiaries of your involvement are children needing intensive palliative care and their families:
- Children needing intensive palliative care – 200 admissions per year.
- Family members of the above - 400 family members.
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Where should I start my fundraising plan?
How should I organize my fundraising plan? Who should I approach for donations?
As a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, we count on supporters willing to share the story and the benefits of the Copaceni project. You can share it in your community with extended family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Start by reaching out to individuals who you know well and who are interested in supporting community projects. It is important that these people trust you and follow your example to donate to projects like the Copaceni palliative pediatric care hospital to be built in Romania.You can approach your friends and colleagues for donations in various ways, including in person, via phone calls, emails, or social media posts. We will help you with some template emails and social media posts; please check the volunteer Resources folder and your email to include further ideas and steps to take.
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How do I decide what my fundraising target is?
Every successful campaign starts with knowing how to define success.
Is this your first fundraising event? If the answer is yes, we are glad you decided to join. We recommend starting with a smaller target. When setting it, think about the number of people you realistically can mobilize for donations and how much each can contribute. Let’s say you want to convince 20 donors, each contributing up to 100 USD. Setting a target of 2,000 USD would be just right. Please don’t forget that usually, you would need to contact at least 40 to 50 potential donors to actually receive 20 donations.
Are you an experienced fundraiser? If the answer is yes, we are excited for your involvement. Your goal setting follows the same build-up as indicated above but should also take into account your past results. We encourage you, if possible, to set a higher target by expanding the number of persons you plan to reach out to.
Please don’t forget that all donations, no matter the size, are valuable and bring us closer to delivering impact in the community. If you are unsure, we recommend starting with a smaller target and increasing it during the campaign if the generosity of the donors or their number is greater than initially envisaged. You can find how to update the target in the next FAQ section.
Please be reminded that we are only aiming to fundraise to cover part of the overall cost of the project (estimated at EUR 4 million). Your successful fundraiser, with a higher amount than initially set, will bring us closer to finalizing the work on the hospital and giving beneficiaries access to the palliative services they need. All the funds raised for the project will be transferred considering the RUF 100% Model.
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How do I set my fundraising target to be visible on my fundraiser page?
Once you sign up as a Fundraiser, you can set up / update your fundraising target on your personal page. Follow these simple steps:
1. Log in on the RUF website with your credentials;
2. Go to your profile by clicking on your picture at the top of the page;
3. On the new page that opens, go to Settings right under your name as you see below
Or
1. Go to Copaceni campaign page;
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page where is the list of Copăceni Fundraisers;
3. Click on your name to open your fundraiser page. You can access the Settings menu from your fundraiser page by selecting “Edit your profile and funding goal” button below your fundraiser status. See the print screen below as reference:
4. Select Settings/Fundraising Goal in the menu on the left side
5. Add/modify your Funding Goal
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How do I find my fundraiser page later on the RUF website?
Go to the Copaceni campaign page, scroll to the bottom of the page where there is the list of Copăceni Fundraisers and click on your name to open your fundraiser page.
How are donations tracked to my name?
Please share your fundraiser page so that donations made by your friends and colleagues are counted towards your goal. When your donors click on the Donate to Copaceni button on your fundraiser page, our system redirects to a donation page that is linked with your profile.
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What is the concept of the Copaceni fundraising campaign?
"Puzzle of Hope" Campaign Overview
The campaign aims to promote the establishment of Romania's first children's palliative care hospital in Adunații-Copăceni, in partnership with HOSPICE Casa Speranței. This innovative €4 million initiative will provide comprehensive care for children with incurable illnesses, focusing on pain management, therapy, and emotional support for families. The campaign will utilize a puzzle-themed fundraising approach to engage Romanian expats globally.
Core Message: A Piece of Hope is Missing
“Join us in completing the puzzle of hope and care for our children back home. Your contribution will help change the lives of those who need it most. By supporting this initiative, you are leaving a legacy of love, hope and compassion that will impact generations of children and families in Romania.”
Campaign Elements: Puzzle Fundraising Concept
- Puzzle Structure: The hospital design will be represented as a puzzle with 160,000 pieces.
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Donation Tiers:
- Single Piece: $25 (represents one piece of the puzzle).
- Section (e.g., 10 pieces): $250 (represents a section of the hospital).
- Monthly Subscription: Donors can commit to acquiring one piece or section monthly, offering ongoing support.
- Thank You Incentive: Each donor will receive a printable puzzle piece as a thank you note, encouraging them to share their contribution on social media and within their networks.
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Where do I find the resources for the campaign?
Here is the LINK where you can easily access all the resources as well as a recap of the steps recommended once your fundraising page was created. In the Google drive folder, accessible through the link, we will add new materials like template social media posts and template emails We will notify you by email when new materials are available.
If you have any issue accessing the files, please contact by email: [email protected]
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Where do I see how much I raised so far?
Please don’t forget to share your fundraiser page so that the donations made by your friends and colleagues count towards your goal. Your fundraiser page will display in real time the total funds raised by you, both your donations as well as of the donors that you recruited.
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Is there a deadline for participating in the fundraising?
Our fundraising campaign for Copăceni Palliative Care Hospital will be run until the end of year. As we are only aiming to fundraise for a part of the overall cost of the project (estimated at EUR 4 million) we would be happy if any donations come even after 31 December 2024. All donations are properly tagged in our system and all the funds raised for the project will be transferred considering the RUF 100% Model.
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What if I don’t reach my goal?
No problem. Reaching your set goal is not required. We appreciate your time and energy dedicated to support the improvement of the conditions for children in Romania that need palliative care. Please reach out to us if you need additional resources or guidance for your fundraiser.
RUF has regular fundraising campaigns for new projects that have significant impact and would benefit from the support of the Romanian diaspora. We hope that we can count on you for our future fundraising campaigns. Your feedback about your experience during the campaign is very important so let us know during the regular Saturday meetings or by email to [email protected]
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How did RUF select the Copaceni project?
During 2023, several healthcare projects were applied for support by RUF. We are always looking for meaningful projects that can make a difference. Several projects were promising, and they were presented to our Founding Angels 😇 on January 24th, 2024. The Copaceni Campaign was selected as our Campaign of the Year in 2024 as a result of the Founding Angels vote.
Our Process
Romanian United Foundation (RUF) is a 100% pass-through fundraising platform. We help diaspora & local nonprofits in Romania access the funding, tools, training, and support they need to become more effective. We do this by connecting NGOs, donors & volunteers from all over the world.Through our fundraising campaigns we reached millions of people, we financed over 72 projects for our partners, investing over $3,500,000 in the most efficient Romanian nonprofits, making an impact in the lives of Romanians today.
The Copaceni Hospital campaign is a significant fundraising and development initiative led by RUF for Hospice Casa Speranței, aimed at building and supporting a palliative care hospital for children in Copaceni, Romania. The campaign is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare infrastructure and provide specialized care for children with serious and terminal illnesses.
The hospital at Copaceni will not only provide necessary medical care but also serve as a training facility to improve pediatric palliative care across Romania and the region. Currently, there is a dire need for specialized care facilities for children with terminal illnesses, with an estimated 22,000 children in Romania requiring palliative care and only 40 beds available for them in the whole country.
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I want to find out more about your partner in Romania in charge of building the Copaceni Hospital.
HOSPICE was born 32 years ago, when Graham Perolls blazed the trail for palliative care in Romania for patients diagnosed with an incurable illness. For most European countries, palliative care is included in the national medical system and most patients have access to it. In Romania, however, before HOSPICE Casa Speranței was founded, the concept of palliative care did not even exist, and the medical system had very little to offer to patients diagnosed with an incurable illness.
In 2024, patients (both adults and children) from 38 counties in Romania were admitted in its two hospitals. Currently, HOSPICE Casa Speranței employs over 270 staff members across two hospitals in Brașov and Bucharest, and the socio-medical centre in Adunații Copăceni. Over 400 volunteers participate in the organization’s activities. Since 1992, over 50.000 people faced with a cruel challenge found solace at HOSPICE. They and their families received much needed support and learnt to face their illness with dignity.
The Annual Reports are available here
Also some Youtube videos about HOSPICE amazing work supporting people in need:
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