3 Key Points on How To Get Donations for A Fundraiser

How to get donations for a fundraiser? Well, maybe, you cannot stop thinking about it, especially if you are doing a fundraising event but this is your first time. Or maybe you need a lot of donations for a cause but the help of the people around you is just not enough.

Indeed, raising funds is not an easy thing. Especially when we think about rejection (and it’s inevitable) because not everyone will say yes. You can’t just wing it. You need a well-thought-out and structured plan for it to be successful. Following these steps can be your starting point.

Basic Steps On How to Get Donation for A Fundraiser

When you need donation since you are a fundraiser, there are three stages to learn on how to get donations for a fundraiser. First, before running the event (preparation), second is while doing your action, and the last is after the action. Here are the things you should know.

Preparation

Prepare your story and message. To make someone do something, you need to move his heart because then his heart will move his body to do something. Make sure you have stories and messages that inspire people.

Be honest. Because if other people can see your honesty, they will trust you easily.

By getting them to trust you, it will be easier for them to get involved in your fundraising journey. Involvement doesn’t have to be in the form of a direct donation at the beginning, make them understand more about what you do, if they trust you, the initial involvement can also be a visit to your organization or they can visit your website and learn more about your cause.

In explaining the message and story behind the fundraising, you also need to be specific about what you are doing. Give reasons why they need to be involved in your activities. Break down the details of activities and also data any expenses that need to be made in your plan.

Start with the people closest to you.

You as a fundraiser also need the motivation to keep going.

So that you have the motivation at the beginning, start with the people closest to you who will likely say yes and want to help you, at least if they can’t donate, you can invite them to volunteer at your event. With this, you can begin your fundraising journey with an optimistic start.

Know more about your future donors

You definitely need help outside of those closest to you, who may have different thoughts from those in your circle. Do some research on the person who will become your donor.

That way you can customize the type of fundraising strategy. Think about what messages would get a better response, would they react to light and warm messages? Or will they respond more to formal and detailed messages? Prepare several strategies for different types of donors.

Think about what makes them care.

What kind of donations they can make and be specific about the amount you want them to donate, are they the type of people who will donate large amounts of money, or are they more interested in small donations? Also, make sure your message can create a sense of urgency so that the message can make people do something immediately according to the circumstances of the potential donor.

Make a plan

In your plan, remember to always be specific about anything in the fundraising. In what form, how much, when, and how. Can your donors wait to donate or do you need them to do so now? What media will you use? Will you use email, social media, event invitations, or the phone? Be specific.

When you have determined the media you will use, it’s time to think about choosing words according to the type of your potential donors.

In choosing words, try to create messages that include them, use the word ‘you’ rather than ‘we’ so it gives the impression that they are part of the fundraiser. But keep in mind that you need to avoid negative words, as much as possible, use positive words, such as “You can help Henry to …”. It’s better than “We aren’t able to do it without you …”.
Mention deadlines and when you will need their donation.
Remember that they need a reason to add the word ‘because’ so potential givers can understand your reasoning.
You also certainly don’t want to give them a burden, do you? Then how are you going to reduce their burden? Use the words ‘little’ or ‘small’ so they don’t feel that donating to your cause is a burden.
Finally, even if they haven’t done anything, try to thank them. At the very least thank them for considering.
As we know that our future donors have different activities, at least we know that they are busy. Make sure that your message is short and clear and easy to understand.

How to Get Donations for A Fundraiser While Doing An Action

It’s time to put your well-thought-out plans into action.

After all the plans are fixed, in carrying them out, there are several things you need to keep in mind.

Some might say yes to you and a few might say no. So be prepared for rejection. This is okay, it’s not that you’re not doing the right thing, it’s just that some people have other things in their priorities and it could also be that they just don’t have the money. Try to understand the situation, to avoid embarrassment for potential donors, you can also offer them to volunteer in your fundraiser. Remember, some will, some won’t, so what? Next.
In your plan, you must have detailed out what you will do with the donation money raised from the fundraiser. Be honest with potential donors about what you do with the money that will be used.
In carrying out your plans, be your true self. People will see the real you and that way they will be able to trust you more.

How To Get Donations For A Fundraiser After The Event

All your plans have been executed and the fundraising activity was a success. There’s more you need to do because your plans don’t stop here. Do the following so that people who have donated feel appreciated.

1. Say thank you in several ways. When you run your fundraising campaign, there are several media that you use, right? Use several different types of media to thank people who have donated.

2. Build relationships with donors. If they have donated something, invite them back to join another time, invite them to your event so they don’t forget that you and your non-profit organization exist. If they’re on the list of people who haven’t donated, don’t forget them either. Occasionally invite them to visit your event.

3. Follow-up with your donors. Share the news about the activities you do with your organization, keep them updated with the activities you do. Show that their donation has succeeded in bringing a positive change.

Who To Ask?

Every donor is unique, they are different individuals. Treat them as people and make it a goal to make connections. According to the type, you can get help from a business, foundation, or individual.

How to Get Donations for A Fundraiser from Individuals

You can get donations from individuals. The easiest and most common way these days is to create an online donation page. Several websites are specialized for fundraising, your job will be easier and potential donors will find it easy to donate via the website, make sure you use a trusted fundraising website.
Another way to get individuals to donate is to create merchandise with your organization’s brand. You can offer your merchandise when you do the campaign about your cause. With this merchandise, people will feel that they are getting something in return for the donations they give, this also shows a commitment between you and your donors in the future.
People will usually respond if we approach them directly, approaching directly what is meant here is by calling them. Calling potential donors is an easy and personal way and the cost is also cheaper. If you want to try this method, you need to prepare a note of what you want to talk about so you don’t stray off track. Even if you call a lot of people at once in your phonathon, always keep your intonation not too stiff and make it as personal as possible.

How To Get Donations For A Fundraiser From Businesses

A business usually already has an annual plan for donations because they feel obligated to give back to the community. In asking for donations to a business, you need paperwork. And if your organization is eligible, they will consider making a donation to your fundraiser.
In addition to donations in the form of money, companies also usually provide in-kind donations, namely donations that are not in the form of money but objects needed in raising funds. This is the reason why you as a fundraiser need clear details of what you need in your fundraising so that other parties can help easily.

Getting donations from foundations

How to get donations for a fundraiser is also possible if you are looking from foundations. Usually, foundations make donations to non-profit organizations. They give a sum of money obtained from the community or family foundations. Most of them make donations in an annual period by choosing an organization that will receive assistance each year. So, you also need to maintain a relationship with foundations for future plans.
In addition to the annual assistance provided, foundations also provide challenges for individuals or non-profit organizations. If they can complete the challenge, a certain amount of money will be donated.

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