Practical ways your group can increase donations and support local youth
If you’re looking for how to increase Cans for Kids donations, these simple strategies can help your organization collect more cans and support local youth more effectively. Every Saturday matters, and with a little planning, your group can boost participation and maximize its impact.
1. Promote Early and Increase Cans for Kids Donations
One of the easiest ways for groups learning how to increase Cans for Kids donations is to begin promotion early…
Seven to ten days before your scheduled Saturday, be sure to:
- Post your date on your organization’s Facebook or Instagram page
- Share the announcement in your group’s private channels or email list
- Encourage families, teammates, and volunteers to spread the word
Groups that promote early see consistently higher donation totals.
2. Share the Weekly Cans for Kids Announcement
Every Wednesday, we share the upcoming participant post on the Cans for Kids Facebook page.
A simple share from your organization helps broaden your reach significantly.
You can find our page here:
www.facebook.com/IVCanDonate
Sharing directly from our page ensures accuracy, consistency, and helps boost visibility across the community.
3. Start Collecting Before Saturday
Another effective approach for organizations wanting to know how to increase Cans for Kids donations is to gather cans during the week. Consider:
- Setting up a designated collection spot at practice, rehearsal, or meetings
- Encouraging “bring a bag of cans” participation all week
- Assigning a “can captain” in each class, team, or committee
- Asking families to set aside cans at home in the days before your shift
By Saturday, you may already have a significant amount ready to turn in.
4. Remind Supporters the Day Before
A Friday reminder is one of the most effective ways to ensure strong Saturday turnout.
Short messages work well, such as:
- “Don’t forget—tomorrow is our Cans for Kids day!”
- “Drop off cans between 10 am–1:45 pm behind the Oregon Caves Chevron.”
- “Help us reach our goal this weekend!”
These simple reminders consistently lead to higher participation.
5. Use the Toolkit to Increase Cans for Kids Donations
We’ve created a comprehensive toolkit to make your Cans for Kids day as smooth and successful as possible. It includes:
- Social media graphics
- Caption templates
- Email scripts
- Tips & Tricks
- Outreach tools
- Printable resources
You can access it anytime here:
https://tinyurl.com/cans4kids-toolkit
Every Can Counts
The Cans for Kids program thrives because of the organizations, volunteers, families, and supporters who pour their energy into it every weekend. With thoughtful planning and a few simple strategies, your group can increase its impact and help even more youth across the Illinois Valley.
If you have questions or need support preparing for your week, we’re here to help.
Thank you for supporting this program and the young people who benefit from it.
