Karrie Lindeman, EdD, SBL, BCBA-D and David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D
Association for Science in Autism Treatment

The Giving Season is Here!

Many of us are often faced with the age-old question, “What do you want for your Christmas / Hanukkah / birthday gift?!” You may have responded with the same answer, “I don’t know!” or “I have everything!” In fact, you may think it is better to give than to receive, and many use gift-giving as a way of making a commitment to an important cause.

This Giving Season is a wonderful time to make a pledge to the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)! Sure, presents are great, but you can also join the effort of thousands of Facebook users who are raising money and awareness for causes that they care about. In fact, we are hoping that we can find several of you to host a campaign on our behalf!

What better way to celebrate than to keep science front and center?

ASAT’s mission is to support safe, effective, science-based treatments for people with autism by sharing accurate, timely, and scientifically sound information. This also involves countering inaccurate and false information about autism and its treatment so that family members and providers alike can make the best possible choices. If you subscribe to our newsletter or read through our website, you know the work we do: We work tirelessly to ensure that science remains at the forefront of every conversation about autism treatment. If you would like to help support our important work through Facebook Fundraising, please see the simple steps below!

Ready to pledge your birthday, special event, or other holidays?

It only takes a few moments to create your own Facebook campaign. You can even add photos or a quick video to your fundraiser page if you like. Then, email and Facebook message your family and friends with the link to your new fundraiser page on Facebook, asking them to make donations to ASAT. Don’t worry, Facebook makes all of this very automatic and easy to do!

Looking for a sample intro?

Here are three samples for your consideration:

Sample 1:
It’s my 30th birthday this week. Want to join me in supporting a good cause? This year I’m raising money for Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)(www.asatonline.org). As you know, my son with autism has benefitted significantly from receiving a high-quality intervention. I believe that every person with autism deserves access to the very best treatment that science has to offer. Your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every bit helps ASAT’s mission to support safe, effective, science-based treatments for people with autism by sharing accurate, timely, and scientifically sound information. This also involves countering inaccurate and false information about autism and its treatment so that family members and providers alike can make the best possible choices. Thank you for your support of my campaign!

 

Sample 2:
This week is the first anniversary of my passing the BACB exam and my family and friends know how important my work is to me. To celebrate this momentous occasion, I am hosting a fundraiser for the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), an organization devoted to disseminating current science-based information about autism treatment. Please consider donating as a way of joining me in my celebration.As you may know, ASAT promotes safe, effective, science-based treatments for people with autism by sharing accurate, timely, and high-quality information; advocating for the use of science to guide; and combating unsubstantiated, inaccurate, and false information about autism and its treatment. Thank you for your support of my campaign!

 

Sample 3:
Everyone who knows my family understands that we have a special place in our hearts for celebrating and supporting people with autism. This year, to celebrate the holidays, we hope that you’ll join us this giving season to support the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), an organization devoted to disseminating current science-based information about autism treatment. They provide incredible resources for parents, professionals, and individuals with autism. Throughout the pandemic, ASAT has been a reliable source of helpful guidance for families through all of the changes it has brought. Please consider donating as a way of joining me in my celebration of this incredible organization and supporting their work. ASAT, which reaches countries all over the world, is in large part run by volunteers! Every dollar counts. Whether you can donate $5 or $50, your donation has the potential to benefit individuals with autism across the globe.ASAT promotes safe, effective, science-based treatments for people with autism by sharing accurate, timely, and high-quality information; advocating for the use of science to guide; and combating unsubstantiated, inaccurate, and false information about autism and its treatment. Thank you for your support of my campaign!

 

Here’s how you do it in 9 easy steps:

  1. On your computer, login to Facebook.
  2. Upon entering the Facebook homepage, on the far-left sidebar, click Fundraisers.
    Tip: If you don’t see Fundraisers on the left, click See more to see the remaining options.
  3. On the Fundraisers page, to the left, click + Raise money.
  4. When prompted to choose a fundraiser type, click Nonprofit.
  5. When prompted to Select Nonprofit on upper left you can either:
    • Scroll to find ASAT – Association for Science in autism Treatment OR
    • Type “ASAT – Association for Science in Autism Treatment” into the search bar to find us.
  6. You will be directed to either a desktop preview or a mobile preview of the ASAT Facebook homepage.
  7. On the left sidebar under Details, enter:
    • The goal amount of money you want to raise (under “How much money do you want to raise?”).
    • The currency you want the funds to be in (under “Select currency”).
    • The date you want your fundraiser to end.
    • Any other customized details you would like to include (e.g., “What’s the title of your fundraiser?” or “Why are you raising money?”).
  8. Click Create. You will see a screen pop-up where you can invite your friends to donate to your fundraiser, share your fundraiser in your news feed, or donate to the fundraiser yourself. If you are not ready to do any of those things, click Not now.
  9. Share your campaign page! Email, Tweet, and Facebook your family and friends with the personalized link to the page you just created, and invite them to make donations to ASAT!

We would love to know about your campaign. Please write us at donate@asatonline.org.

Still want to help but not ready to pledge your birthday or upcoming holiday?

If it’s not your birthday yet, just email us at donate@asatonline.org to pledge to an event of your choosing. When the day gets near, we’ll send you a reminder to let you know how to start fundraising and to offer you some suggested language for your campaign. Or you can personalize your pledge page yourself, adding pictures and information that will appeal to potential donors!

In the meantime, you can easily make a personal donation right now at www.asatonline.org/donate/.

Citation for this article:

Lindeman, K., & Celiberti, D. (2022). Help wanted: Can you host a Facebook fundraiser this giving season? Science in Autism Treatment, 19(12).

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