Fundraising can be difficult for everyone involved, but it can also create a fun environment where people can raise money for causes that matter. Getting started is definitely the hardest part, but with this guide, you may find it’s a little simpler than you thought to collect funds for your organization.
Determine Your Needs
The first step to fundraising is to determine your needs. How much money do you need to achieve your goals? Figuring out how much money you’re going to need to complete your purposes can be pretty tough, but it’s the first step in planning a fundraising event. The goals should be attainable and concise. Creating a number that’s too high may make people feel as though the goal is unachievable.
Consider Campaign Ideas
Campaign plans are the second important step in planning a fundraiser. How are you going to get your message across and obtain donations? Raising money can be achieved several ways—through events, online advertisements, or brochures handed out in-person. The platform can be online or in-person, and it can be tough to choose between them. Online campaigns may not cost a lot of money because there is no venue to take care of, but it can take a lot of hours to design the proper advertisement. Your campaign ideas will also influence the team you choose, and can even impact the amount of money you receive.
Enlist a Team
Who is going to help your organization achieve its goal? Finding a team to work on your goal can take a lot of time, and can quickly turn into one of the most time-consuming aspects of fundraising. After you have your idea and goal set, it becomes much easier to determine how many individuals are needed to help the cause—usually, you won’t want to plan a fundraiser by yourself. So, analyze the people you’ll need, and fill them in on the goals. The fundraising method may also impact those who are on your team. Online campaigns could require a graphic designer or photographer while local events need speakers and several volunteers to host activities.
Spread the Word
Getting the word out about your fundraiser can be one of the most challenging parts. You’ve created a plan, and now you need people to hear about your advertisement, organization, and event. Some fundraising methods are easier than others—such as local events. People may hear about local events on the radio or in the newspaper, but how are you going to spread the word about your fundraiser if it isn’t an event? Many organizations turn to social media since people spend on average 4.7 hours a day online surfing through Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Show Appreciation
The final step of any fundraiser is showing appreciation for everyone who attended and donated. This can be the hardest part for some campaigns. Local events allow you to wrap up the occasion by thanking everyone who participated and gave, but how do you thank someone online? Emailing those who donated and worked on the project is one of the most common methods as well as a public thank you to everyone for the collective donation amount.
