Are you trying to raise money? You’ll have to do more than ask politely with empty, open hands, but thanks to the internet, it's easier than ever to fundraise. The internet makes fundraising efficient, secure, and personal—not to mention convenient for the organizer. Fundraising sites make a great companion to offline fundraising as well. Follow our step-by-step guide and reach your fundraising goals.
Step 1: Make a Game Plan
Properly planning your fundraiser is crucial to meeting your goal. Lay down a solid framework by creating a game plan. It's important to start with a clear fundraising goal; shoot for a specific number instead of trying to raise “as much money as you can”. An established goal makes your fundraiser look more reputable.
In addition to a monetary goal, your game plan needs a mission. To accomplish your mission, you need to ask yourself: “what will this money accomplish, and where exactly is this money going?” Your donors are asking the same thing, so you ought to have a concrete answer ready. Once you’ve set the details of your fundraiser, all that’s left is deciding how to execute it. Between grants, partnerships, and fundraisers of all types, you have plenty of options.
Step 2: Assemble Your A-Team
Organizing and executing a fundraiser by yourself is no simple feat. You’re taking on a huge workload; it’s easy to get overwhelmed, even as early as the planning process. Keep the stress at a minimum by creating a dependable, supportive team. Whether you decide to delegate tasks to your co-organizers or make decisions and act as a group, working together with others will improve your chances of achieving your goal.
Step 3: Ready, Set, Go!
Time to put the game plan in action! You’ll find the most success if you fundraise on the web and in-person. If that sounds like a lot of work, remember: that’s why you have a team. For example, one person can be in charge of spreading the word on social media, while another can coordinate live events. By blending digital and traditional fundraising efforts, you’ll be able to reach a wide range of people, even those without a Facebook.
Step 4: Extend Your Network
Your friends, coworkers, and relatives are an obvious network to tap into. However, you shouldn’t be afraid to extend your reach. Unabashedly spread the word on social media -- Facebook, Twitter, or anywhere else you think people might see it. And just because you have a strong online presence doesn’t mean you should stop there. Local businesses, particularly restaurants, often help with area fundraisers and donate a percentage of the day’s profits to the cause. Contact local news outlets and ask for a feature. Now’s the time to ask the friend of a friend for a favor. Don’t be shy—the worst thing they can do is say no.
Step 5: Follow Up and Wrap It Up
It’s important to keep donors up-to-date with what’s happening in your fundraiser. Not only are they curious (and may be cheering you on), regular updates show donors the effect of their charity while subtly solidifying the legitimacy of your fundraiser. Put yourself in their shoes; what if you gave a generous donation to someone trying to raise money, then you never heard from them again? Although you have good intentions, there are people out there that take advantage of others’ kindness. Sharing your fundraiser’s progress is simple, especially if you have an online campaign page where you can post photo or video updates. If you’re focusing on offline fundraising, an email newsletter can share the milestones and important information related to your campaign.
Running a fundraiser wasn’t easy, but you’ve reached the finish line. Whether you narrowly missed your goal or exceeded your expectations, it’s time to thank the people that made it happen. Be sure to show your gratitude by thanking your donors.
