Effective Types Of Fundraising Campaigns
There is a lot of hard work and effort that goes into each and every fundraising campaign that a nonprofit executes. It is important to know which efforts produce the best results for your nonprofit so that you can concentrate efforts on the campaigns that further your cause.
The good news for your nonprofit is that according to Define Financial, six out of ten American households participate in charitable giving. Those statistics tell you that there are donors out there who believe in supporting a worthy cause. It is up to your nonprofit to choose campaigns that are the most effective for your organization and to do so in an efficient way.
The effectiveness of your fundraiser, regardless of the type of campaign you choose, is tied to your success in executing the project. Executing your project is made easy and effective when your nonprofit uses fundraising software. The software allows your nonprofit to customize your communication, personalize the campaign and streamline your operations. You can be assured that using fundraising software will increase the efficiency of your campaign, no matter which campaign you choose.
Types Of Effective Fundraising Campaigns
Effective Peer-To-Peer Campaigns Use Fundraising Software
A popular, and efficient form of fundraising for a nonprofit is Peer-to-Peer (P2P). This type of fundraising uses the networks of a nonprofit's existing supporters to raise money on behalf of the nonprofit. P2P can help to grow your community of supporters while at the same time reaching your fundraising goal.
P2P is a great way to involve your supporters, and it also brings awareness of your nonprofits to those who might not be familiar with your cause. Your supporter's networks of friends and family are a valuable source of new supporters.
There are ways to encourage your supporters to participate in P2P fundraisers, and the ease of executing these campaigns by using fundraising software is one of the most persuasive reasons.
Types Of Effective P2P Fundraisers
Most of us are familiar with popular peer-to-peer campaigns like the Ice Bucket Challenge. Fun Runs are also examples of effective P2P campaigns. Nonprofits can leverage a variety of P2P campaigns such as runs, walks, rides, and the ever-fun challenge campaigns.
Nonprofits, and their supporters, have learned over the past couple of years that geography and proximity are not a hindrance to participation. Virtual runs, walks, and rides can resemble traditional races, with the benefit that each personal fundraiser participates on their own date and time. This fundraiser's effectiveness stems from permitting participants to have the flexibility to participate according to their schedule.
Personalized Fundraisers
The peer-to-peer form of fundraising is also effective because it allows your supporters to add a personalized touch to the support of your nonprofit. Supporters can ask their network to give to your cause on their birthdays, instead of a personal gift. It could also be in memoriam for a supporter's loved one who felt strongly about your nonprofit and their work. These honorary fundraisers (also called DIY fundraisers) are an effective way for your supporters to honor those special people in their lives and give to your worthy cause at the same time.
Baby Bottle Campaign
The fundraising concept behind a Baby Bottle Campaign is familiar to most pro-life ministries and involves delivering special baby bottles to local churches, organizations, and individuals for them to fill with financial donations.
Over the years, adding an online component to existing campaigns has gained popularity, as cash and check giving have been outpaced by debit and credit card gifts.
Simply create your campaign in Peer-to-Peer. This example of a Baby Bottle Campaign shows how you might design your event.
In this example, each participating church has a fundraiser page. In a webinar FundEasy hosted, setting up a fundraising page for each of your churches (instead of asking them to do it on their own) was strongly encouraged. This article will tell your nonoprofit How To Take Your Baby Bottle Campaign Online.
Peer-to-Peer Appeals To Younger Donors
P2P is ideal for millennials and Generation Z, too. Close to 84% of Generation Z is open to becoming a fundraiser for their nonprofit. There are ways to increase peer-to-peer participation, especially among younger donors.
One of the most popular and unique fundraising events with these supporters is "A-thon" fundraisers. One creative nonprofit used a "Zeldathon" that saw gamers playing and supporters donating for every hour of play. This type of “A-thon” can be applied to the latest popular game in order to draw participants.
While highly effective, P2P can be a lot of work for your nonprofit team. Using fundraising software empowers your supporters with a Peer-to-Peer fundraising tool that makes it easy for them and efficient for you. Using this software frees your nonprofit staff to spend their valuable time on needed tasks, while this fundraising tool does an effective and efficient job for you.
Effective Crowdfunding Campaigns
The difference between peer-to-peer fundraising and crowdfunding is that P2P is many people raising funds for your nonprofit, and crowdfunding is your nonprofit reaching out to many people for donations. This article shares more about the specific differences between these two fundraising models.
According to Forbes, the crowdfunding market will be worth $300 billion by 2025. Those statistics tell you that fundraising for events using crowdfunding is a viable avenue to raise money. Both types of fundraising, P2P and crowdfunding, are effective ways to raise needed funds. Typically, crowdfunding is tied to a specific project or goal. Your nonprofit will choose which method, peer-to-peer or crowdfunding, they use for a specific campaign.
Involve Your Supporters In Your Crowfunding Campaign
Supporters are a nonprofit’s partner and cheerleader. These are the individuals that feel strongly enough about your cause to join you by donating, whether it is through volunteering or financially. These supporters have their own personal reasons for their giving and there are stories behind their generosity. These stories can be powerful tools, as explained in this article The Role of Storytelling in Online Fundraising Campaigns.
By involving your existing donors, you can use their connections and rally a larger crowd of support. Your existing donors validate your organization’s merit, and their stories can inspire those in their network to join in supporting your cause.
The Parkinson's Institute is America’s only independent nonprofit organization that provides clinical research, trials and patient care for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. They asked their donors to share on video their personal stories of living with Parkinson’s and the impact the Institute has had on their lives and their families. These videos were rotated on the Institute’s Crowdfunding campaign page, with each video targeting a different audience segment.
Any nonprofit, big or small, can use this approach. Enlisting your supporters to reveal the faces and stories behind the cause is a compelling way to demonstrate the positive impact and invaluable services that your nonprofit provides.
Participate In GivingTuesday
A perfect, and effective, time for your nonprofit to use a crowdfunding campaign is GivingTuesday, held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year.
Your nonprofit should be prepared to take advantage of this worldwide movement that emphasizes donations to any nonprofit, not to a specific mission.
GivingTuesday is the antithesis of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for your nonprofit, and this Crowdfunding software will have you prepared for an effective campaign.
Think Jeopardy!
Trivia competition is always fun and in demand. There are would-be Jeopardy! contestants out there who would love to be put to the test. Holding a Trivia Tournament can be a way to bring your supporters and their friends together for an entertaining time. Anyone can compete in a trivia tournament, and you can have your attendees compete individually, at a table, or both.
Have A Movie Night Or Matinee
Most large theater chains allow for one of their theaters to be rented for special events. Movie night is a great way to gather your donors for a fundraiser at a venue most people enjoy attending.
You can choose a popular film that is entertaining or show an educational film that relates to the cause of your nonprofit. This venue is effective because theaters are already set up to accept crowds, and have comfortable seating, restrooms, and lots of parking.
You could incorporate a theme for your supporters and provide donation opportunities at the event. Movie night draws donors to an event that is relaxing and the whole family can attend.
Final Thoughts
The important work of nonprofits can be difficult, and so your fundraising efforts should be expended on those campaigns that are the most effective. By using fundraising software, your nonprofit will be able to make the fundraising process simple, effective and efficient so that your staff can concentrate their efforts on the other critical work of your nonprofit.
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Crystal Hoag
This article was inspired by our customers and written to encourage your fundraising efforts. Although we work with nonprofits and events daily, our team members are not Event Consultants. We encourage you to consult with your event consultant, executive team, and/or affiliate organization before making any major changes to your events.
