The playbook.

The Blitz Process: six steps, three phases, about five weeks.

The same play programs of every size run, season after season — from a 38-dancer team to a 440-student band — and it's all on this page.

1 The Game Plan 2 The List 3 The Heads-Up 4 Blitz Night 5 The Follow-Through 6 The Finale
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PROVEN IN THE FIELD

This process isn't theory. The programs that run it hold 81–99% student participation, season after season — and we publish their numbers.

See the record

Why it works: every ask is personal, the reminders are automatic, and the whole thing is fun. The six steps below just make those three things happen on schedule.

The Blitz Process

Six steps, three phases, about five weeks.

Prepare

Steps 1–3 · the two weeks before Blitz Night

1. The Game Plan

  • Leaders set the goal, dates, and incentives — build the site, turn on the Monthly Club

2. The List

  • Students build 25+ contacts

3. The Heads-Up

  • Parents pre-notify everyone
Launch

Step 4 · one night, 60–90 minutes

4. Blitz Night

  • Make it an event — the fun IS the fundraising
  • Students make calls using the script
  • Incentives and team competitions fuel the energy
  • Donations roll in live on the big screen
  • Directors deliver on their wild commitments
Finish Strong

Steps 5–6 · the 2–3 weeks after

5. The Follow-Through

  • Daily recognition at rehearsal
  • Follow up with non-responders
  • Send thank-you messages
  • Check for company matching

6. The Finale

  • Host a closing event to celebrate and award incentives

The one hard rule: No list, no Blitz Night. The contact list is the ticket in — it's the step that predicts the outcome.

After the Finale: The Off-Season Play. The Monthly Club you set up in Step 1 keeps paying every month — and the Corporate drive adds Main Street sponsors. The play that keeps money coming between campaigns.

Your role in the process

Everyone has a part to play. Find yours.

Campaign Leadership

Directors & fundraising leaders working together

Your energy and preparation make everything possible.

Prepare

Connect Campaigns Only

For high-school-aged participants and above

  • Share QR code for student account setup (in setup wizard)
  • Dedicate rehearsal time for account setup (director)
  • Setup Pledge Tracker/Reporter (in setup wizard)
Launch
  • Be the MC—your energy sets the tone (director)
  • Track participation by team (use kickoff or pledge reporter)
  • Display live results on the big screen—make it a show!
  • Print calling scripts for express campaigns (connect campaigns have the script built into BackStage)
  • Make it fun: competitions, music, energy!
  • Coordinate incentive distribution (leader)
  • Celebrate every donation loudly as it comes in
Finish Strong
  • Start every rehearsal with recognition (director)
  • Check dashboard daily—know your numbers
  • Recognize top teams and individuals
  • Deliver incentives with energy
  • Send updates between director & leader
  • Coordinate finale celebration
  • Share results with the program
  • Document lessons learned
  • Kick off the Off-Season Play — push the Monthly Club, start the corporate sponsor drive

If you're excited, they will be too.

Your energy and logistics make participation possible.

Parent FAQ

Parent / Guardian

Your network is their biggest asset

The most important things are simple and don't take much time.

Prepare

Sample pre-notify message:

"Hey! [Student] will be reaching out on [Day] about their band fundraiser. The money goes directly to reducing fees and building a stronger program. Just wanted to give you a heads up!"

Launch
  • Review the script with your student
  • Be available to help during Blitz Night
  • Share their fundraising link on social media
  • Send the link to professional contacts
  • Promote the Monthly Club ($25/mo — every member is $300 a season)
  • Celebrate early donations together
Finish Strong
  • Check BackStage dashboard together
  • Help track who needs follow-up
  • Send thank-you messages to donors
  • Ask every donor about company matching
  • Help submit matching gift requests
  • Attend the finale celebration

25+

Contacts

11x

Monthly Sub Impact

100%

Pre-Notify

Successful fundraising = lower fees + stronger program

Your participation directly benefits your student.

Parent FAQ

Student / Participant

You're the heart of this campaign

More contacts = more incentives. Build your list, earn your rewards.

Prepare
  • Use the contact worksheet to build your list (25+) with parents' help
  • Scan QR code to create account
  • Add your picture and personalize your story
  • Enter contacts into BackStage
  • Practice the script so it feels natural
Grandparents Aunts & Uncles Family Friends Neighbors
Launch
  • Be present and engaged for the entire Blitz Night
  • Make phone calls—they work way better!
  • Use the script—it works!
  • Start with closest contacts first (they're easiest)
  • Compete with your team for incentives
  • Ask about company matching
  • Promote the Monthly Club ($25/mo — every member is $300 a season)

Phone Calls > Texts > Emails

Calls get way better results. Don't be shy!

Finish Strong
  • Check your BackStage dashboard
  • Follow up with non-responders
  • Send thank-you messages
  • Keep working toward weekly incentives
  • Help your teammates
  • Show up for the finale!

Ways to Win:

Contacts Entered Donations Received Total Raised Team Competitions Participation

You've Got This!

Build your list. Make your calls. Earn your incentives.

The right way to share your link

Top fundraisers raise 2–3x more than students who skip this. The difference is whether you use the buttons next to each contact's name in BackStage, or just copy and paste your link into a group chat.

The right way

  • 1. Add each contact to your BackStage with their name and phone or email.
  • 2. Tap Text or Email next to each contact's name.
  • 3. The platform sends a personalized link just for them.

What you get:

  • Track who clicked and who donated
  • Automated follow-up to non-donors
  • Full credit for every ask on the leaderboard
  • Donations come in 2–3x faster

What hurts you

  • 1. Skip entering contacts into BackStage.
  • 2. Tap "Copy Link" and paste it into a group chat, Snapchat story, or social post.
  • 3. Hope someone clicks through.

What you lose:

  • No idea who donated or where it came from
  • No follow-up possible — once it's posted, it's gone
  • Donations arrive unattributed — no leaderboard credit
  • Slower donations and you can't tell why

A note about privacy

Some families prefer not to have their contact info entered into a fundraising system — and that's completely valid. For those contacts, use the "Didn't enter contacts?" link in BackStage to copy your fundraising link and share it directly. Donations still come in. The only tradeoff is the platform can't automatically follow up with that contact, since we have no way to know who saw the link.

If their name's in BackStage, use the button next to their name.

Group chats and social posts are great for extra reach. The share-link is the right call when families want privacy. The contact buttons are the right call for everyone else.

Tools to help you plan

Interactive tools and printable resources to set your campaign up for success.

Ready to run the Blitz? You already know the six steps.

Free to start. No contracts. Setup takes five minutes.

Start your fundraiser