How to Start Social Fundraising Today—and Why You Need To

March 12, 2020
5 minutes

There's no better time than now to be targeting tech-savvy donors. (Ok, maybe yesterday, but we're not looking back.)

Here's why digital native donors aren't the donors of the future; they're the donors you need today.

COVID-19's grip on the world will have long-term effects that ripple through financial markets, affecting everything in the nonprofit industry: sponsorship opportunities from small businesses, donations from supporters relying on fluctuating wealth, and availability of products essential to creating impact.

Online campaigning is the fastest, most direct way to get in front of donors who are engaged in online communities. See, online fundraising won't be impacted by COVID-19 in the same way that live events are being today, making it the perfect way for your nonprofit to make up lost revenue during this time of uncertainty.

Not only that, but focusing on opening up new revenue streams and increasing accessibility is a great goal to have regardless of whether we're in the middle of a global pandemic or not.

Here are a few ideas for how you can start social fundraising today.

  • Launch a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign and ask your community to come together to center your constituents. It's easy to turn inward in times of crisis; an outpouring of love in dark times shines extra bright.
  • Host a virtual event and livestream it to your supporters, giving them the chance to donate virtually. For many people cooped up at home, a short reprieve from mindless screentime will be appreciated.
  • Launch a new monthly donor program or ask your current monthly donors to increase their giving. This has the dual effects of increasing immediate donations and growing long-term, predictable revenue. Your donors aren't oblivious to what's happening—explain how the current climate is affecting fundraising and watch them contribute to the solution.
  • Launch a fundraising campaign targeting a specific project or program and use email and social to drive traffic. Social fundraising works best when it's hyperfocused because people  really respond to a well-defined challenge.

If you're already doing everything above, don't be afraid to ramp it up and double down. Let the world of online donors surprise you; they have the capacity to give and raise a lot more than you think.

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