Walk the Walk Party FAQ Sheet
Why host a Walk the Walk House Party?
Hosting a house party fundraiser is a great way to exponentially increase support for Walk the Walk's grassroots organizing partners! House parties help generate a sense of connection, of not being alone with the current disruptive events of the election, and create a positive sense that we CAN do something to support and strengthen our democracy. House parties mirror the relational strategy that Walk the Walk’s partners use in grassroots activism. The idea of parties is that they are informal, fun and build relationships. Parties help build hope and inspiration as we gather with other like-minded individuals who are concerned for our democracy and for upcoming elections.
What kind of event should I host?
A house party can be as simple as inviting a few friends over to watch a short video clip from a previous Zoom call and share some chips and dip. Or, you could gather a larger group, perhaps working with a team of co-hosts, to sponsor a large event. You could also add a Walk the Walk pitch to an existing group gathering such as a dinner club or neighborhood gathering. The key is to invite those you know are supporting democratic candidates and are looking for a way to do something more.
Hosting a Zoom watch party requires nothing more than a screen, some snacks and a few friends invited to join. A house party fundraiser can also be set up at a time other than the Zoom call, such as a weekday evening or happy hour, a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, or even add a 20 min. presentation with a discussion at a dinner party. A larger event might include a house concert, a sale or silent auction, or a featured speaker.
A key consideration is timing. Funds are more helpful to our partners earlier in advance of the election. So getting a smaller event takes less time to plan and can get funds raised more quickly. Larger events can raise considerable funds but take time to plan and host.
I feel uncomfortable fundraising - what should I do?
Another way to look at it is that you are giving your friends and family a way to take action on their values and to create positive action if they are frustrated by what is happening in our political landscape. Below are some resources to help you with how to ask for funds.
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Example elevator pitches
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Remember to stay positive! We create hope, inspiration and commitment to action by focusing on what we can do and progress that is being made. Our goal is to encourage one another to stay active and continue doing the work that we know works - one person talking to one person, building democracy one interaction at a time.
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If you are uncomfortable fundraising, you can frame it as an opportunity you are sharing with your friends and family to take positive action based on their values.
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“I wanted to share about Walk the Walk with you because it means a lot to me and I thought it might be meaningful for you. I hope you will join me in supporting our grassroots partners financially, but if not, I hope you will be inspired by the good work people are doing and share information on Walk the Walk with friends and relatives who might be looking for an opportunity to invest in democracy.”
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How can we make a house party inspirational versus “gloom and doom”?
We create hope, inspiration and commitment to action by staying positive, focusing on what we can do, are doing and the progress that is being made. While we can and do want to mention the seriousness of our political situation, the swing towards autocracy and away from democracy, and the scary realities of the current political landscape (Project 2025, for example), our goal in relational fundraising and activism is to encourage one another to continue to do what we know works - one person talking to one person, day by day - building trust and democracy one interaction at a time. It is the work our partner organizations are doing and it works for those of us who are fundraising as well.
How long does the party need to last?
We have found that 2 hours is sufficient, even for larger events.
When does getting communication/invitations become annoying for people?
Everyone is different. Some people don’t mind multiple messages while others may prefer fewer. We must remember that most people are getting dozens of messages daily, and it sometimes takes several tries to get a person’s attention. If you are sending multiple messages, you can always add a line in the message such as: We know you receive lots of messages and requests. If you do not wish to receive these messages, please let us know. It is also helpful to add something new to subsequent emails and to keep them short. Keep track of who you’ve invited or asked for donations, and note their responses for when you next reach out to them.
What can I expect from people when asking for a donation?
Be prepared for a range of responses and accept them graciously. Some people will say, “yes”. Some you thought would say “yes”, will say “no”, “maybe” or “later”. Some people have other activist work they are committed to and don’t have the bandwidth to explore or support another worthy effort. And some people will surprise you with a donation. Accept all responses graciously
What if my party doesn’t raise much money?
Organizing is a process. Sometimes it takes people more than one time to warm up to an organization. Keep inviting individuals to later parties if you think that makes sense, but think first of additional people you might ask, i.e. move on to additional promising ground. Think about your circles of associates: co-workers, ex-co-workers, relatives, beautician/barber, attendees at your place of worship, exercise, or entertainment, book club, college and high school classmates. Also, remember that Walk the Walk started with ten friends and now has more than 8,000 supporters. That happened because people shared by word of mouth - exactly what you are doing! Know that you are doing the work and you might be having a bigger impact than you will ever know, as your friends tell their friends, and they tell their friends, and so on.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with other questions, at outreach@walkthewalkusa.org