Online Fundraising: The Latest Tool for Charities

AC

Are you part of a non-profit looking to raise money for your charitable activities? Tired of the same old bake sales and car washes? Consider using online fundraising instead. Online fundraising is a relatively new, but very appealing, concept. As computers and the internet become an ever-more ubiquitous part of our lives, more and more people use them to seek out charitable activities. Groups such as United Way, Volunteer Match, and local agencies post volunteer activities on their websites, creating an easily searchable database. Non-profits post pictures and success stories from their activities online, allowing interested people to see where their time or money goes. Online fundraising is a natural extension of such activities. Online fundraising can be used in conjunction with traditional fundraising activities. For instance, at a fundraising gala, your charity's website address can be displayed with instructions on how to donate online. This can be in addition to or in place of traditional hat-passing at the event, creating options for your donors. An online auction can be used to supplement or replace a more traditional live auction. Save Money and Time One obvious advantage of online fundraising is the ability to save both money and time. Instead of having twenty people spending hours baking and selling cookies for a one-time event, you can have one or two people setting up a secure website that accepts donations all the time. Your non-profit doesn't have to spend as much time securing a site and equipment, setting up, taking down, and generally planning and organizing as it would with more traditional events. Once you've built up your site, you may be able to save money on printing brochures, posters, and other materials. A website offers opportunities to highlight your organization and activities through pictures, stories, videos, blogs, and other methods. In addition, you can post information on specific volunteer or donation opportunities. You are sure to find something that appeals to many donors and volunteers. Just be sure to offer contact information and donation options for those that still prefer more traditional methods. Fundraising Successes Although online fundraising is a relatively new concept, it has been very successful for different groups. One is the Red Cross, which raises funds to help people in need following disasters worldwide. Another group is schools and universities, who can appeal to technology-savvy alumni that understand firsthand the needs and opportunities of these groups and want to give back. A more recent phenomenon is micro-lending sites. Through these sites, donors can lend small amounts of money to people in need (often in less developed countries). The recipients use the money to start small businesses, then repay the loans or pass on the loaned amount to a neighbor who can also better his or her life. Keys to a Successful Online Fundraising Site If you want to raise a lot of money for your charity, you will need to start with an excellent website. Find someone who understands website design and maintenance to build you an effective site. Make sure any text is easy to read and highlights your accomplishments. Use lots of pictures to liven up the page and show what the funds would support. Take advantage of video-sharing sites and record volunteers or fund recipients talking about your charity and the good work it does. Ask other groups to link to your site and make sure any brochures, bookmarks, or other advertising includes your URL. Lastly, but most importantly, make sure your donation site is secure and easy to use. There is a variety of software out there to help you with this and ensure your donors' personal information remains safe.