Online Fundraising Ideas for Non-Profits: Why a Website Matters
The most challenging part about running a nonprofit is sourcing for funds. Most of the day-to-day activities of a charity are geared towards finding more donors in a bid to fund pending projects. Online fundraising can help you reach a wider audience base and offer your organization new ways of sourcing for funds.
Below are a few ways to fundraise online:
- Create a Well-Maintained Website
Some charities do not have a website and others only a blog that is never updated. Before you start of raising money online, a good website is key. The moment you initiate online fundraising, donors (some who may never have heard about you) will want to know more about your organization. Your website is the best place for these donors to find information about you.
However, the website is not just a source of information but you can also use it to source for donations using online donation forms. A donation form on the homepage of your website allows donors to offer any amount they afford either monthly or as a one-off donation. A good form allows donations through different platforms such as PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, and through a Credit Card.
Because the website is your base of operation when you are running online fundraising, picking one among the many online platforms should be a carefully-thought decision. Take your time to compare web building platforms such as GoDaddy, Wix, and Squarespace so you can have the best website. Once you have your website, keep it updated for donors to read.
- Crowdfunding
This is the oldest means of fundraising online. Crowdfunding sites have access to a large audience and are able to take advantage of established networks. If you choose to use this means of fundraising, you can engage with your supporters on the platform, on your website, and on your social media accounts. Granted, it is advisable to have fundraising campaigns running on your website and your social media accounts to complement the crowdfunding.
You will have a chance to market your fundraising on many platforms. Choose the best fundraising platform such as GoFundMe and you will have the largest network.
- Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
These platforms involve people who donate on your behalf. You will run a campaign on the platform for a given period of time and a set target and your peers set their own mini targets to help you achieve your main target.
Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns are based on activities such as no-shave November, running, cycling, walking, or swimming , or any other activity that helps raise funds.
- Fundraising Emails
This goes back to the importance of a good website. If you are able to capture emails of your supporters, you can send them emails asking for donations. The best way to do this is segmenting your subscribers so your fundraising campaign emails only go to those who show interest in your business. Although this might be the least effective of all online fundraising drives, there is still a chance you will get lucky one day and get huge donations from the option.
If you do not want to send regular emails asking for money, consider a one-day campaign blast. Choose a day that means the most to your organization, such as an anniversary and send out the emails. End your emails with a call-to-action telling your supporters to donate as much as they can afford.
- Selling Merchandise Online
You can sell merchandise online through your website to raise funds for your projects. T-shirts and caps are the most common but that should not limit you. The merchandise should have motivation quotes or statements that make the wearers proud. The merchandise will help raise money even as it promotes your course.
- Other Platforms
There are so many other platforms to help you fundraise. Some of these include Pinterest Boards, Facebook Fundraising, Donation Matching platforms, and Amazon Smile among others.
Social media fundraising drives come in handy when you already have a strong social media presence. As such, work on garnering followers and supporters and then launch your campaigns. Donation matching platforms give you a dollar for every dollar you manage to raise through fundraising. These are great when you have a huge target.
Amazon Smile relies in your supporters shopping on Amazon. For every purchase, Amazon gives you 0.5 percent. The funds are released quarterly. You need to create strong networks to raise funds and the first place to start that is on your website.
Conclusion
With the above tips, you should be inspired enough to start raising funds online to complement what is coming in already. Start with the website and social media accounts and diversify later.