7 Fundraising Tips from Team Lovin'
So you’re looking to fundraise for a cause that’s important to you? Here are some tips and tricks to help you maximize your fundraising success!
1. Make it personal.
Often, people who aren’t necessarily backers of a cause will contribute to your fundraiser because they like YOU. Let people know why the cause is personally important to you. Don’t know where to start? Tell people how you came to care about the organization you’re advocating for. Did your parents or grandparents pass on their passion for the cause? Do you have a personal experience that relates to their mission? Lead with that story.
2. Talk about impact.
People want to know: “How does my gift actually make a difference?” Broadly stating, “Your gift helps [kids, animals, the environment, etc.],” usually won’t be tangible enough to motivate potential donors to give. As an example, at Spoonfuls, we say “$1 enables Lovin’ Spoonfuls to rescue 2 lbs. of food, which is about half of what most people consume in a day.” This sort of impact statement puts a donation into perspective.
3. Show & tell.
We all remember this, right? Use photos and videos to enhance your ask. Strong visuals are important for grabbing people’s attention and further motivating them to give.
P.S. If you’re fundraising for Spoonfuls, you can check out some of our photos and videos here.
4. Post on social media – more than once.
Sharing your fundraiser (and story) on social media is one of the best ways to get the word out there. And, there is no shame in sharing your fundraiser multiple times. People have busy lives. They need to be reminded or even given another opportunity to hear about the fundraiser (and not everyone will see your first post).
5. Send texts and emails.
Once you’ve shared your fundraiser on social media, or if you’re not on social media, send personal emails and text messages to friends, family members, and beyond. Keyword: personal. Mass emails and BCCing your entire network can rub people the wrong way. Messaging people individually shows you’re putting in the effort to connect with them specifically, which can be more meaningful and even act as a conversation starter. This is a great way to engage your network and make them feel brought into the cause you’re passionate about.
6. Engage others.
Create a team and fundraise together. Teams have a natural spider web effect. Through so many degrees you can reach dozens, if not hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals.
7. Say “thank you.”
When you receive a gift to your personal fundraiser, follow up quickly to let that person know you’re grateful. The more personal you can make your thank you, the more impactful. Go above and beyond with a handwritten note. And, most importantly, mean what you say.
Interested in fundraising for Lovin’ Spoonfuls? Check out our Fundraising page. And, thank you for considering!