Turning Awareness into Action:
All-In-One Fundraising Guide
World Autism Awareness Day and
Light It Up Blue
In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2nd
as World Autism Awareness Day to shine a bright light on autism as a growing
public health priority.
On World Autism Awareness Day, Autism Speaks celebrates its international
Light It Up Blue campaign. Thousands of iconic landmarks, communities,
businesses and homes across the globe unite by shining bright blue lights in
honor of the millions of individuals and families around the world affected by
autism.
How does Light It Up Blue benefit the
autism community?
• Spreads awareness and
understanding of autism
• Celebrates and honors the
unique talents and skills of
people with autism
• Brings attention to the
needs of people with
autism
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Light It Up Blue In the Work Place
Awareness Ideas:
• Light your building, store or office up blue using blue bulbs, blue gel filters, or blue
balloons and decorations.
• Log on to www.rosco.com/LIUB for information on commercial lighting options,
including:
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Blue gel sheets to cover light fixtures
Blue films to temporarily tint windows
Gobo projectors to shine the Autism Speaks logo on the outside of your building
Blue sleeves to go over fluorescent bulbs
• Download free resources from AutismSpeaks.org/LIUB/Resources and give them out
to employees or place them in a public location
• Wear blue to work on Friday April 1st to kick off Autism Awareness Month
• Shake up the business casual routine with a dress down/ blue jeans day!
• Encourage employees to wear blue puzzle piece lapel pins available at
shop.autismspeaks.org.
• Take a picture and post it on social media with the hashtag #LIUB
Fundraising Ideas:
• Coordinate an office fundraising campaign throughout the month of April
 Sell Puzzle Piece Pin-Up Cards for $1, $5, or $10 and put them on display in
your office or store
 Offer prizes for the individuals or teams that raise the most money
• Coordinate a one-time event like a blue bake sale or happy hour fundraiser
Put together a small Light It Up
Blue Committee to help plan
and get the word out
Add a message about your
event to a staff newsletter or
meeting. Put flyers and
reminders up in the office.
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Light It Up Blue In Schools
Awareness Ideas:
• Download the Puzzle Piece Project Autism Awareness Month Curriculum for lesson ideas
and activities related to autism awareness month! Created by and for K-12 educators to
help educate students about autism.
• Light your building or classrooms up blue using blue bulbs, blue gel filters, or blue
decorations.
• Download free resources from AutismSpeaks.org/LIUB/Resources and put them out in the
teachers lounge or front office.
• Invite a local Autism Speaks representative to speak to your class or school about autism
and the Light It Up Blue campaign.
• Wear blue on April 1st to kick off Autism Awareness Month! Send a letter home to parents
reminding them that Friday April 1st is wear blue day!
• Encourage teachers to wear blue ties or puzzle piece lapel pins available at
shop.autismspeaks.org.
• Take pictures and post them online with the hashtag #LIUB
Fundraising Ideas:
• Download the Kids and Coins for Autism fundraising kit to give students the
opportunity to collect coins to help those affected by autism. The Kids and Coins
Guide contains everything you need to get started!
• Create your own school-wide fundraiser throughout the month of April
• Coordinate a one-time event like a blue bake sale, dance marathon, sports
tournament, pancake breakfast or fundraising concert.
• Share your results with Autism Speaks
Start an autism awareness club
at your school to keep the
awareness and fundraising
activities going all year round!
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Additional Resources
Register as a Light It Up Blue Supporter………………………………. AutismSpeaks.org/LIUB/SupportingOrganizations
Puzzle Piece Cards …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. See Page 6
Donation Mailing Form ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… See Page 7
More Downloadable resources………………………………………………………………….. AutismSpeaks.org/LIUB/Resources
Check if your company will match your donations! ………………… https://doublethedonation.com/autismspeaks
Contact a local Autism Speaks staff person………………….... https://www.autismspeaks.org/about-us/contact-us
Email the LIUB team……………………..……………………………………………………………………….…... [email protected]
Mail Donations to:
Autism Speaks
Att: Donations - Light It Up Blue 2016
1060 State Road, 2nd Floor
Princeton, NJ 08540
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Autism Speaks Puzzle Piece Cards: Create a “Wall of True Blue Support.” Make as many copies as you need or
download more from Autismspeaks.org/LIUB/Resources. Cut out the cards and sell them for $1, $5, or $10 (your
choice) and place them in a visible location in your office!
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