The Future Makers
The Future Makers is a year-round peer-to-peer fundraising movement powered by individuals who believe that cancer should never stop a dream of higher education.
When you become a Future Maker, you:
- Create your own personal fundraising page
- Share why scholarships for cancer survivors matters to you
- Rally your network to fund scholarships for survivors
- Help survivors achieve their academic and career dreams
Every dollar raised supports college scholarships that ease the financial burden of cancer and help survivors cross the graduation stage.
Why Cancer for College needs your help:
- There are approximately 500,000 childhood cancer survivors in the United States
- The economic impact of pediatric advanced cancer on families is significant at all income levels, although poorer families suffer disproportionate losses
- According to the National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) survey of 449 families, a majority (95%) say their child’s cancer caused a financial burden on their family
- Financial hardship can persist for families at least a year after treatment ends
Your fundraising efforts help give hope and build confidence in cancer survivors. Here are some examples of the impact your fundraising can have:
- $50: Supports resource sharing that connect survivors with peers and professional resources to navigate their career after cancer
- $100: Provides essential funds for books and supplies for one semester to help a student achieve academic success
- $500: Offers specialized guidance and educational experiences for first-generation college students (who make up 1 in 3 CFC scholars)
- $1,000: Can cover the cost of 1-2 full courses for one semester
- $5,000: Awards a standard, one-year scholarship for a full-time university or trade-school student
Each year, Cancer for College awards $1M in college scholarships to over 100 cancer survivors. But the impact reaches far beyond tuition. It lives on as scholars pursue the futures they fought so hard for — building careers, supporting their families, strengthening their communities, and often paying forward the encouragement they once received. Your support of scholarships for cancer survivors changes lives, thank you.
The Future Makers
Fundraiser Toolkit
Welcome to The Future Makers — a community of individuals who believe financial burdens after surviving cancer should never end a dream of higher education.
This toolkit will help you plan, launch, and share your fundraiser.
Planning your Fundraiser:
Fundraising doesn’t have to be scary! It’s customizable, and almost anything can be turned into a fundraiser. Here are some ideas:
- Celebrate your birthday
- Ask your friends and family to help you make an impact this birthday by contributing to your Future Makers fundraising page
- Get moving
- Turn any fitness activity into a fundraiser – pledge to run, walk, bike, or swim a certain amount to raise awareness and funds for Cancer for College
- Host a donation based yoga class, spin class, or participate in a local running event
- Host a sand volleyball tournament, golf tournament, or 5K
- Don’t forget to share your fundraising page with your community
- Dinner Party
- Host friends and family at your home, or at a restaurant, and share more information about Cancer for College. Ask for donations in lieu of bringing a host gift or dish to share.
- Workplace matching challenge
- Ask your employer if they match donations. If so, set up a friendly challenge among your workplace departments – whoever raises the most gets an extra PTO day! (or something else leadership approves)
- Donate your talents
- If you typically sell items or expertise, you can host a one-time fundraiser. Here are some ideas
- Art prints or jewelry
- Baked goods
- Photography mini sessions
- Coaching or consulting hour
- Yard sale or closet clean-out
- Donate the proceeds to your fundraising page
- If you typically sell items or expertise, you can host a one-time fundraiser. Here are some ideas
- Just because
- Simply share: “I believe surviving cancer shouldn’t end a dream of college. I’m raising $X to help fund scholarships. Will you help?”
Once you have decided how you will fundraise, you need to set a fundraising goal. Set a goal that you think is achievable – you can always increase it if you meet it early!
Make it personal – On your online fundraising page, you should upload photos, and share more about why you are fundraising for Cancer for College. Answer questions like:
- Why does education after cancer matter to you?
- Why did you choose to become a Future Maker?
- Who are you fundraising in honor or in memory of?
If you are hosting an event in person, remember to share scholar impact stories, and what inspires you to support Cancer for College. If you need materials or have questions, reach out to us at info@cancerforcollege.org.
How to Reach Your Goal
Step 1: Make the First Gift
Start strong by donating to your own page. It helps build momentum.
Step 2: Ask 10 People Personally
Text or call ten friends or family members before you publicly launch your fundraising page.
Step 3: Post Online (Instagram, Facebook, Email, etc.)
- Launch Day – Remember to link to your page
- Update along the way – Share progress and thank donors publicly
- Final few days – Share how close you are to your goal
Step 4: Follow Up
People with every intention of donating may simply forget! A friendly follow up reminder can help.
Step 5: Thank!
Remember to thank donors personally with a phone call, text, or handwritten letter. Thank all event attendees, and thank everyone who listens to you share the importance of Cancer for College.
Fundraising Message Templates
General Ask for Email or Social Media
I’m proud to be a Future Maker for Cancer for College — raising scholarship funds for cancer survivors pursuing higher education.
Cancer for College provides need-based scholarships, medical debt relief, and educational experiences for cancer survivors. Since its founding in 1993, CFC has awarded over $8M in scholarships, creating a ripple effect of impact.
Will you join me by making a gift today?
Every dollar helps a cancer survivor get one step closer to achieving their goals.
(remember to include your fundraising page link!)
Text Message
Hey! I’m fundraising for scholarships for cancer survivors through Cancer for College. Would you consider donating? Every dollar helps a survivor finish college.
Here’s my link:
Impact Talking Points
Here’s what your fundraising supports:
- Scholarships for cancer survivors pursuing college degrees
- Access to higher education for cancer survivors with limited financial means
- Support for students rebuilding their lives after cancer
- Hope, independence, and opportunity
Your efforts help survivors do more than recover — they graduate.
Final Encouragement
Cancer survivors have already shown incredible strength.
As a Future Maker, you help ensure their story continues, in classrooms, on campuses, and at graduation ceremonies and beyond.
Thank you for making the future possible.
