People want to give. Most people want to help and be part of something good that is bigger than they are. Funding a cause creates a purpose and fills the donor with warmth and kindness.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. — Maya Angelou
People want to give back. Generosity keeps your organization moving. Fundraising is near the top of your “to-do” list.
5 Simple Ideas For Increasing Revenues
Polish your website and keep supporters updated on your activities. Keep content fresh and inviting. Have photos, and update them often. Changing images and information on your website will keep viewers returning to “see what is new”. Keep giving them something new.
Show results of your efforts--visually present success stories of how your organization uses its money. If you funded a children’s playground, display photos of the building process with volunteers digging sand or putting up a swing. Show examples of children laughing and enjoying the playground. If your organization provided service dogs for veterans, interview a veteran and picture her with her service dog. Get the reader involved through pictures. Let them become a part of your efforts and share in the successes.
Invite your donors to join your website. Reserve a special page for donor statements. Let willing benefactors post a message on your website stating how your organization used their gift. They can post about the end result and how fulfilling it was. This relates to the old “monkey see, monkey do” impact. When people see others donating to your cause they are more inclined to contribute. Put up a similar Volunteer Page on your website that illustrates the impact of your volunteers. Have volunteers tell of their experiences and express how they feel about specific projects. Stories from individuals who have first-hand participation in your organization’s activities give valuable insight into the goodness your organization provides others.
Get an online DONATE button. When someone views your website, he should be encouraged to donate. Don’t miss the opportunity to collect a donation. Make is easy and convenient for someone to simply click a DONATE button on your website. On that donate page, provide easy giving options with suggested amounts. A giver merely clicks a box next to a suggested amount.
Show appreciation to donors. Say Thank You. Let contributors know you value their offering. People can never hear “Thank You” enough. You can say Thank You in an email or in a handwritten message. Send follow-up notes letting givers know how you used their money, or send photos of their funds “in action”. Make the donor feel important and essential to your cause. Demonstrating feelings of appreciation can lead to more giving.
Donations are mandatory for the success of your organization. When you need inspiration for fundraising activities, we can point you in the direction of fresh ideas and projects. We have ideas to share and solutions to management and organizational questions. Check back often with our blog and gather new ideas and inspiration. If you have questions about any other not-for-profit industry topics, contact our not-for-profit team leader at trent@tbfosteraccounting.com.
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