With the continuing social climate of challenges and uncertainties, it can be difficult for organizations to know how to move forward with fundraising, or how to move at all. Here are some ideas to consider to prepare to make your fundraiser successful, even in light of all that’s happening.
Meaningfully Connect With Your Donors
Fundraising connects organizations directly with their donor base, and connection is something we desperately need right now! Get creative in how you engage with your donors:
- Share pre-recorded or live videos on social channels, explaining your ‘why’ and the mission of your organization.
- If you have the ability, send personalized, hand-written notes thanking donors for their past contributions and reminding them of what you’ve achieved because of them.
- Be transparent about how you’re navigating this current time, and be a leader for your donors. Draw the connection for your donors as to how your mission matches your actions.
Once you’ve put in the time to connect or reconnect with your donors, it is time to be strategic about the initial set-up steps to starting your fundraiser.
Be Strategic From The Get-Go
It is essential that your organization be strategic in plans and preparations so that things run smoothly and efficiently. Here are some tips for getting started:
Select Your Product
You’ve just spent time meaningfully connecting with your donors. Now, think about what product speaks to them. What are they looking to purchase? What product would suit their needs and wants most directly? Holiday wreaths, for example, are ideal for donors who celebrate the holidays in some capacity. They are also a sustainable product, which is important to some organizations and their donors. Put yourself in your audience’s shoes and choose a product that speaks to them directly.
Select Your Theme
Now that you have a fundraising product to sell, it is important to consider a theme that ties into that product, your mission, and where your organization is at. For instance, if your organization is celebrating a milestone anniversary, that should be part of your theme, and as such, represented in all communications and brand and marketing efforts. And, since theme is also partly based around your product of choice, it has a direct link to your target audience.
Plan, Plan, Plan!
As you likely know, being intentional about how you’ll carry out your fundraiser – from goal-setting, to delegating responsibility, to building out timelines and branding – is an essential piece to its success. Meet regularly with team members to ensure tasks are being completed and that everybody is on the same page. In the end, your mission and goal are the driving forces behind the fundraiser. Keep your eyes on the prize!
Be Adaptable
Nobody can predict what even the next few days will bring, let alone months. It is important to be prepared and ready for your fundraiser ahead of time, so that as things continually shift, you have a starting point from which to regroup and reassess. Read here for how several organizations successfully re-imagined their annual fundraising events to go virtual, including the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, who altered their plans with just three weeks’ notice. Director Judy Pinkham said “This is a good time to take some risks and look at things totally differently.”
Consider Adding Contactless Fundraising!
As was highlighted in the stories above, going virtual can be an extremely difficult decision, but one that often proves to be very rewarding. Virtual fundraising expands your reach significantly, as you can reach friends and family who you wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach going door to door. It also allows for the use of social media as a positive tool to garner excitement and buzz about your fundraiser! Evergreen Industries’ “Friends & Family Program” offers fundraisers and donors a simple interface with which to offer, select, and purchase products virtually. Keep in mind that virtual fundraising can work in tandem with in-person fundraising.
Further your organization's mission with a successful fundraiser that starts with strategic preparation!
Originally Published: April 13. 2022
