Digital fundraising is essential to keep non-profits afloat and functional. Online fundraising is easier now than ever before, with many people having the ability to participate in and even hosts events using their smartphone or computer. There are many options for you and your nonprofit.
In this article, we’ll give you digital fundraising tips that you can use to help your nonprofit earn funding.
How to Host a Digital Fundraising Event
Every online fundraising effort needs a platform. A digital auction, webinar, or livestream are all great ways to fundraise online. These types of events entertain patrons, get them involved in the cause, and grow their interest in donating.
Below, we’ve listed some great ways to raise funds online.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding seeks small amounts of capital from a large number of individual donors, and typically takes place via the internet. In 2015, crowdfunding efforts raised $34 billion dollars. This money went to new business ventures and nonprofit organizations, as well as personal things like medical bills or funeral costs.
Collect funds directly with a crowdfunding platform like Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, or GoFundMe.
- Kickstarter is generally used for “kick-starting” new business ventures. Successful campaigns are usually for innovative products or services. With Kickstarter, you only receive the funds if you meet your funding goal. Patrons usually receive bonuses, like exclusive merchandise or early access.
- IndieGoGo is very similar to Kickstarter, but lets you access the funds even if you don’t meet your goal.
- GoFundMe is generally for personal fundraising. Successful GoFundMe campaigns are for momentous occasions or goals. People fund their aspirations, like dream trips or their education. It’s common to see people fund funerals, medical expenses, or other emergency situations.
Every crowdsourcing campaign should be well-written, descriptive, transparent, and moving.
Webinars
People are more interested in donating larger amounts if they’re guaranteed to gain something themselves, like learning new information.
Brainstorm relevant topics that your participants may be interested in learning about. If you’re an art collective, you could host a painting class or offer lessons. If you’re a non-profit bookstore, consider hosting a book club or literature analysis lecture.
Create an engaging webinar with detailed PowerPoint presentations, demonstration videos, guest speakers or anything else you think would contribute to the learning experience.
Here are a handful of popular platforms for hosting your own fundraising event:
Twitch
Twitch is a live-streaming service with more than 15 million daily active users. Although videogames are most popular on this site, many stream everything from art to public events on Twitch. On this platform, you could host your own charity livestream and collect donations from viewers.
You could also partner with a Twitch streamer to host your livestream. This lets you focus on marketing and leaves the entertainment to an experienced host. You might find more success by seeking donations from their viewership.
If this is your strategy, seek streamers with a robust fanbase that fits your target audience.
Instagram/ Facebook Live
If your nonprofit has an existing social media presence, you can seek donations from your followers through a livestream. Both Instagram and Facebook offer livestreaming that lets you broadcast to your followers in real time.
Viewers have come to expect a raw and personal experience from live streams. An exciting guest hosting a Q&A would give the viewers the special access they’ve come to expect from Instagram and Facebook Live.
Transparency is Key
New organizations might find difficulty gaining traction without social proof, and new donors might be turned off if they don’t know exactly where their donations are going. Remain transparent about the goals of your organization, and make transparency a feature of each fundraising campaign you create.
For example, let’s say you want to host a live-streamed auction to benefit your community pantry. The title could be something like:
“Live Auction: Community Pantry New Fridge Initiative”
The title clearly states who and what the auction is raising money for. Donors would likely much prefer this title over something nondescript, like “Auction for Charity.” Plus, you can take this opportunity to gain social proof after following up with your audience and sharing the results of your campaign.
Bookmark this page for reference later as you build your digital fundraising campaign.
