7 Essentials for Crowdfunding Success

What separates a crowdfunding campaign that funds the need from one that stalls at 30 percent.

• Set a goal, an end date, and a number people can see
• Launch first to the donors who will give before the page is public
• Write the update that moves a page sitting near 30 percent
• Make the ask specific enough to answer
• Pair the page with the appeal you are already sending

A crowdfunding page stalls when the only plan is the thermometer

The page can show a goal and still sit near 30 percent, because a thermometer is not a campaign. The guide walks the pieces that move the total: who hears about it first, what you ask them to do, when you post an update, and how the page fits the appeal you were going to send anyway. It is for a campaign with a finish date, not an open-ended donate button.

Who this is for

Development staff and executive directors at faith-based nonprofits running a goal-based campaign, a Giving Tuesday push, or a year-end page. If the current plan is a donate link and a hope, start here.

What you will be able to do after reading it

• Publish a goal and an end date you are willing to talk about
• Line up the first gifts before you announce the page
• Plan the updates, not just the launch email
• Connect the page to the donors you already have

The essentials come from goal-based campaigns run by ministries and mission-minded teams on FundEasy.