Whether the charity you’re signing up for has set a sponsorship goal for you, or you already have a goal in mind that you want to achieve, these seven tips will help put your event in tip-top shape so you can make your Fundraising goal missed.
1. Make a plan
Now you should know what your fundraising goal is, all that’s left is the small matter of reaching that number! Remember, “fail to prepare or prepare to fail,” being clear about your goals and developing a strategy from the beginning will only help your fundraising efforts in the long run.
Ask yourself some questions and think carefully about the approach you will take. How will you convey your message? What will make your event stand out? What day will your event take place? How will people donate? What tools will you use?
Think about the approach you will take and break down the steps you need to take to make your task more manageable. Make a list of everyone you can contact to help you – local businesses, sports teams, local media, etc.
2. Personalization
If people know why you’re fundraising, they’re more likely to engage and connect with your story. Ask yourself why you chose this charity? Is it because something has impacted your life or the lives of someone close to you? Remember, people are moved by personal stories, so sharing this on your fundraising page will encourage people to donate and work to make a change.
Write your story on your fundraising page, create a video that people can share, and make sure you tell your potential donors what their support means to you and the charity you’re raising money for. Include as much information as possible on your fundraising page and people will be more likely to donate.
3. Research your charity
Remember, your donors are not actually donating to you, they are simply donating through you to the cause you represent. When you buy a product, you want to know information about what you’re paying for, and the same goes for people donating to your chosen cause. If you speak passionately about your chosen charity, you’ll show potential donors that your cause is genuine.
Contact your chosen charity – they will be able to provide you with information that should be included on your fundraising page. What does your chosen charity do? Who/what does the charity aim to help? How will the charity use the donation?
4. Think like a donor
In order to become a better fundraiser and truly get the most from your events, you need to think like a donor. Think about the reasons why people donate their hard-earned money to charity. It’s because they want to help and make a difference, because they connect with the cause you’re fundraising for, because they’re inspired by something, or because your story moved them.
Once you know the reasons why your donors are giving, you can make sure those reasons are clearly outlined on your fundraising pages and in your campaigns. Remember, people are choosing your specific charity, so you need to tell them how and why their donation will make an impact.
5. Leverage social media
Every fundraising campaign should utilize social media channels. They’re a great way to reach more people, share engaging content, and personalize your fundraising efforts. Share content, videos, images, blogs and events with donors through social media pages to keep them informed about your training.
Your social media presence should also have a clear call-to-action, making it easy for people to donate to your cause online. If someone is inspired by something they saw on social media and wants to donate, you need to make sure they can do so quickly and easily – otherwise, you risk losing potential donors.
6. Spread your message
If you don’t ask, you don’t get – it’s that simple. Don’t focus all your efforts online, you need to make your event visible everywhere. Think carefully about how you can spread awareness of your cause in your daily life. Something as simple as placing a donation jar in your local pub or shop will quickly help your donations grow.
Try contacting local media and local businesses to see if they can help your cause. Ask your employer if there’s anything they can do to help you – whether it’s putting up posters in the cafeteria or making a company donation.
7. Thank your donors
Don’t forget your etiquette. Saying thank you is one of the simplest yet most powerful things you can do at a fundraiser. People donate their hard-earned money to your charity, so you should let them know how much you appreciate their support and how you can use the funds to make a difference.
Your thanks can take the form of a personal email, message, or you can go the old-fashioned way of writing them a letter or thanking them in person. No matter how you decide to express your gratitude, the gesture will mean a lot to your donor and make you feel good.
