Category: Fundraising Advice

Since its inception in 2012, Giving Tuesday has grown into a monumental day of global giving and now provides a great opportunity for non-profits to engage with current and new supporters.

On Giving Tuesday in 2020 for example, $2.47 BILLION was donated by supporters to US non-profits, whilst in the UK over £14,000 PER MINUTE was donated to UK charities. Moreover, the day resulted in 14.2 BILLION social media engagements, demonstrating the vast opportunity non-profits have on Giving Tuesday to raise not only funds, but awareness too.

As the day itself is just around the corner (30^th November) we partnered with Unicef USA to create a free webinar of top tips and tricks that can make a Giving Tuesday campaign truly effective. Senior Philanthropy Associate Emily Monasterio talked us through the lessons she has learnt as Unicef prepare for their 75^thanniversary event, pulling 10 events in 10 cities together for one night on Giving Tuesday. Read on for the Top 7 things we learnt from this Fundraising Masterclass, or alternatively watch the webinar for yourself here!

1. Get Your Committee Members On Board

The pandemic has forced almost all non-profits to take risks with their fundraising that pre-pandemic would not have seemed possible. Emily’s advice for making a success of these risks is to ensure the buy in and active participation of your board and/or committee members. A strong relationship with your committee can ensure that when undertaking a new journey, you at least have a strong understanding of the needs of your community.

2. Listen, Listen and Listen Some More

The market on Giving Tuesday can seem oversaturated with many non-profits battling for attention. Focus your attention on your own community. By truly understanding your community’s needs it’s possible to capitalise on the opportunity Giving Tuesday presents to fundraise. Holding regular meetings with your committee members will provide ample space to discuss their wants and needs.

3. A Little Friendly Competition Doesn’t Hurt!

Giving Tuesday is a thread which can pull together different regions or different chapters of an organisation under one campaign banner. Of course, remember the overall goal and mission, but encouraging each region or chapter to compete with one another can drive up donations whilst adding an element of fun to the campaign. For example, Unicef USA are using Givergy leaderboards to provide live updates of fundraising totals for each region during their 75^thyear anniversary event. This not only adds a little friendly competition but reminds supporters at each individual event that they are part of a larger movement.

4. No Idea Is Too Small To Bring Money In The Door

Embrace ideas that drive participation because at the end of the campaign, all the little ideas add up. This is made easier under an umbrella day like Giving Tuesday. A good example is the committee members from Unicef USA’s campaign tying in birthday events with fundraising, or simply buying tickets to a virtual event.

5. Keep Ease Of Giving Constant

Emily was keen to emphasise that this tip applies to any fundraising event an organisation is running. Giving should be easy and feel like second nature to your supporters. When interacting with your campaign, the process of giving should be as seamless as possible. For Unicef USA, this means placing QR codes across their event space and including them on all programmes so that guests have constant access to the silent auction and donation options.

6. Start Fundraising Before The Event

Open your fundraising streams before the event itself as this allows momentum to build and your mission to be shared. Unicef USA did this through specifically focusing on pledging during their build-up.

7. Don’t Be Scared Of Social Media

Yes, the marketplace is competitive on Giving Tuesday but that doesn’t mean your organisation should shy away from entering the social media sphere. Look to your own community or network and identify those that are active on social media, as just those within your own community can share your message and raise awareness. Moreover, if you have chapters in different locations, connecting through social media can again help amplify the power of your movement.

If you would like more information on fundraising solutions for your upcoming fundraising campaign or event, please get in touch!

Choosing the right auctioneer is paramount to the success of your auction. If an auctioneer is entertaining and charismatic, he or she will keep the crowd’s attention and transform a silent room into a hive of bidding activity. If you haven’t worked with an auctioneer before, we can recommend one for your event.

If your budget permits, avoid the temptation of using a board member or staff member as the auctioneer to cut costs. A good auctioneer could be the difference between raising £10,000 and £50,000, so even if there is an initial cost involved, the right person will pay for themselves in the money they raise for you. However, it is still important to do your research. Ask your potential auctioneers if they have any recordings of their work they can share and make sure you select someone whose style is tailored to your event.

Ahead of the event, your auctioneer needs:

• A fact file with key points about each item.
• A list of correct reserves so he/she does not undersell.
• A list of any items that can be multi-sold.
• A brief on any high net worth individuals or VIP tables so he/she knows where bids may be coming from.

Your Givergy event manager will brief with your auctioneer prior to the event to ensure everything is clear. As part of this, it helps to introduce volunteers and spotters to your auctioneer so that he/she knows they are there to assist and point.
Getting the auctioneer to say “Sold!” and the table number can eliminate missed bids and direct the spotter to the winner.

How to best utilise your MC for your silent auction

In our experience it’s always best to mix up your items and not group them together by type – This will deter people to carry on looking through the list if they aren’t interested in that category. This way people are encouraged to look through all the items and we find they end up bidding on something they weren’t initially looking for.

You want to make your items feel attainable to a wide audience, so think about having a mixed distribution of prices – you don’t want to have all of your high or low-priced items at the end of
the page.

If you are worried about having a long list, to make things easier for potential bidders, you have the option to assign your items to categories. People can then search the category menu to easily navigate around the auction if they’re looking for a specific item.

We kicked off a recent blog series exploring the skills gap within the charity sector and digital world in our May blog – The Digital Gap – What You Need to Know. This month, we’re taking a closer look at how to be confident in your digital strategy.

The Importance of a Digital Strategy

An effective digital strategy helps non-profits expand their reach, develop a captivating story, and achieve their fundraising goals. Emphasizing a digital presence will enhance your fundraising potential and improve your supporter experience Despite the evident benefits of a comprehensive digital strategy, over 51% of UK charities confess they don’t have any kind of digital strategy in place. 

I’ve recently been tasked with developing our case studies portfolio and one example springs to mind. Little Kids Rock proves the importance of a digital strategy by exceeding its initial target of $25,000, raising over $100,000 using digital fundraising technology. You can read more about it here.

Take The Leap

Creating an effective digital strategy begins by having the confidence to try something new. In this report, 66% of UK charities rate their digital skills as low. When you consider non-profits’ tight budgets and resources, you understand why so many do not feel confident taking a risk and investing in new digital technologies.

However, we’ve seen time and time again if your organization is willing to take that initial jump, tremendous results will follow. For example, Georgia’s Lanier Forsyth Rotary Club recently adopted online ticketing for the first time during their annual event, Down and Derby. Their audience was accustomed to receiving traditional paper tickets as a souvenir from the event. With this in mind, there was some reluctance to embrace a digital alternative.

However, the Rotary Club combated the possible issue by providing their supporters with a glossy postcard that included event details and a QR code linking to Givergy’s online ticketing platform on one side, and photos of past events on the other. In order to access the event, supporters still had to buy an online ticket but those who attended could keep the postcard as a token of the night. Additionally, because the postcard was not the actual ticket, the organization was able to mass-distribute them, further spreading the word of the event. The event ended with 450 guests attending compared to the 300 expected.

The Proof Is In The Results

Just this one example proves how overcoming the fear of trying something new can lead to a better experience and greater results. Your newfound success, in turn, breeds confidence in your ability to adapt to digital. It’s time to stop questioning the benefit of a digital strategy and begin building one – which, by the way, is much more enjoyable!

Next Up

As part of our Digital Gap series, our next instalment will take a closer look at the best ways to utilise your online network to increase interest in your events. Make sure to stay tuned and check out our previous blogs and recorded webinars for additional resources. 

One of the best ways to spread the word about your online fundraising campaign or virtual gala is by using social media. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your social media strategy from start to finish!

Step 1. Determine a Schedule

As you begin planning your fundraising campaign, identify key dates that you’ll want to share on social media, such as your save the date, announcement, deadline, and countdown dates – 1 month, 1 week, 3 days away, etc.

Once you have those dates marked down, begin planning what each day’s posts will look like and set internal deadlines for deliverables.

Step 2. Select & Update Your Platforms

Look at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and find out where you have the largest following and highest engagement rate. You will still use all platforms to promote, however it is beneficial to know where you should primarily focus. While reviewing each platform, also check to make sure everything is up to date – about sections, FAQs, logos, branding, etc. 

Step 3. Prepare Your Content

Your ultimate goal here is to create content people will engage with. Make a list of all the assets you will need, including graphics for posts, Facebook event covers, Instagram stories, and more. Click here to download our social graphics spec sheet.

Step 4. Create a Facebook Event

Encourage people to “RSVP” and invite their friends to your Facebook event. Be specific about the campaign or virtual gala details and put your ticket link where people can easily see it.

Step 5. Enlist Supporters & Influencers

Make a list of contacts who will help spread the word about your fundraising campaign – employees, supporters, celebrities, etc. Once it’s time to announce, reach out to your list with a few graphic options, suggested copy, and a clear call to action. Ask people to tag you and use your fundraising campaign’s designated hashtag, so you can engage with their posts.

Step 6. Use Tools

Take advantage of these tools to create, schedule, and manage content!

• Canva – Create professional-looking graphics and videos in a snap! Plus, if your organization is eligible, you can access Canva Pro for free through the Canva for Nonprofits program.
• Facebook Creator Studio – Schedule Facebook and Instagram posts, manage direct messages, view insights, and more in Facebook Creator Studio.
• Instagram Countdown Sticker – Add a countdown sticker to your Instagram stories for the event time as well as deadlines to purchase tickets or enter a contest. If viewers subscribe, they will be notified once the time comes.

Step 7. Host a Social Media Contest

Contests are a great way to motivate people to share! ‘Share and win’ type thing. Just make sure to consult with your legal team first to cover any legal requirements if needed.

Step 8. Launch Paid Social Media Ads

To get in front of a new audience, you can also ‘pay-to-play’ if you have some marketing budget available, which means supplementing organic posts with paid ads. When building an engaging digital ad, remember to:

• Use an attention-grabbing image or video
• Keep the post text short
• Be clear about the call to action (i.e., “Donate Here”)
• Include an appropriate link and link description (i.e., Click here to donate now”)

Step 9. Engage, Engage, Engage!

As supporters share about your content via the contest or hashtag, engage with their posts. This is beneficial for two reasons:

• It shows you appreciate them sharing
• It allows you to connect with their audience and join the conversation

Step 10. Go Live on the Day of the Event

Whether you’re organizing a large virtual gala or online fundraising campaign, go live on the day of the event with a behind-the-scenes look or snippet from the opening introduction.

Step 11. Share Results, Appreciation, and Next Steps

To build upon the support you created over the last month or two, share about the overall impact and how supporters can continue their involvement. Whether they helped by donating or sharing on social media, show your appreciation for their efforts.

Step 12. Measure

Measure engagement rate, clicks, sales, and ROI to compare year over year. The more you measure, the more you’ll be able to see what does and doesn’t work, improving your overall social media strategy.

Get in touch for support on your own online fundraising campaign!

For more fundraising techniques, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

Many charities prefer to host galas to secure life-changing funds for those in need. Large events like galas, for example, are a wonderful way to bring the community together, all while providing a rewarding and memorable experience for participants. However, due to complications from the pandemic, many charities have been facing uncertainty and unprecedented challenges that have hindered their ability to continue their philanthropic efforts.

With many social gathering and event restrictions, it may seem like charitable efforts have been halted. However, there are still many options available to continue wonderful work for the greater good, while also respecting health and safety. It is especially important to be aware of the latest strategies and tools that can help keep your organization on track during critical times. It may seem daunting to find a way to keep your charity afloat and engage donors when you need them the most. Consider the four strategies below to help continue your efforts and foster engagement with your charity by shifting them online.

Leverage a Charitable Fundraising Solution

If donors were most engaged and willing to contribute through galas, do not despair. Your favorite charitable events can be shifted to an online format. Galas that were once held in person can still be held virtually. One way to get started with your virtual gala is by leveraging a virtual fundraising solution. Such platforms allow you to consult a gala host, record or gather visual content, and live stream your gala to your participants. Donors can enjoy the event safely from their homes, and can also place additional donations, participate in a raffle, interact with live comments, and enjoy the host experience virtually just as they would in person. All of the features and conveniences of a fundraising solution make hosting charitable events a breeze even during the most difficult of times.

Ensure Participants Utilize Secure Networks

When moving your charitable fundraising event online, ensure that you have the proper infrastructure in place. Secure networking options, like a software-defined wide-area network, provide a reliable connection for your virtual gala no matter the location of all your participants. Your donors can enjoy a good user experience and also have peace of mind that their connection remains secure. A secure networking option will help to prevent interruptions by keeping uninvited attendees from accessing and disrupting your gala or fundraiser. In addition, it helps to add an extra layer of protection to sensitive information that may be exchanged over the course of your fundraiser.

Express Gratitude

Once your fundraising event is over, it is extremely important to take the extra steps to follow up with your participants. Securing funds is just one part of your charitable fundraising endeavors. It is a fundamental responsibility of your organization to take a moment to demonstrate your gratitude to selfless donors who are willing to help great causes. Now, expressing donor gratitude is especially important because many individuals have been impacted financially during the pandemic and extra funds may be hard to spare. It only takes a moment to send a thank you card to express sincere thanks for contributions that are keeping your organization’s mission alive. Without your donors, your work would not be possible.

Show Your Impact

One powerful way to foster engagement with your charity during critical times is by showing your impact. Many potential donors may be prompted to give for the first time or donate repeatedly when they see firsthand how their contributions are being allocated. Be sure to brief donors on your latest projects and initiatives. This can be done by sending regular charitable email marketing updates to donors. It is essential to cultivate a sense of compassion by telling the stories of good that have come out of your efforts. Donors can often feel removed from those who may be in need. Help your donors walk in the shoes of those you will be impacting by bringing stories from the community to life. Demonstrate how your funds have made a difference on a personal level by showing the individuals behind your campaign. Heartwarming stories bring a sense of hope to the community and can be a call to action to volunteer, donate, and get involved in making a difference.

When times become challenging, your hard work and dedication pays off. It will help you be creative, flexible, and do whatever it takes to grow your charity despite the circumstances. Being able to transition your events virtually and prompt donors to stay engaged with your charity will be a testament to how the will of the community can prevail. Take the time to invest in the strategies and tools that can help you make a difference to those who are counting on us.

Natural disasters and unforeseen circumstances can cause serious ripples throughout the fundraising industry, and we’re certainly seeing that with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given that many of our charity clients rely on in-person events, which are for the most part now impossible to hold, we wanted to zone in on a few of the best practices we suggest to clients for maximizing fundraising online, and how in some cases it can equal (if not surpass) pre-set fundraising goals.

How We Can Help:

We offer a variety of fundraising tools and excel in running campaigns entirely online. It’s cost-effective and allows your supporters to contribute any time and from any place.

In fact, many of our clients have already done this with tremendous success! As an example, using strategic promotions and emphasis on the right team, HOPE International Development Agency raised over $23,000 in the first four hours of opening their online fundraising website. Their dedicated constituents were able to participate in a highly anticipated auction across Canada, creating an impactful atmosphere during these seemingly isolated times.

7 Tips for Online Fundraising Success with Givergy:

Here are a few best practices that we think will help dramatically impact the amount you raise through your virtual event:

1 – Take Advantage of Pre-authorization:

Givergy can require credit card details for auction bidding. This ensures you will have payment details securely stored for anyone who participates in your online auction and simplify your post-event payment collection.

2 – PROMOTE! PROMOTE! PROMOTE!

Use the Internet to your advantage with social media sharing, Facebook and Instagram Live videos, Twitter, your own website, email marketing, co-branding with your sponsors, etc!

Ask your supporters to assist by sending videos or messages that you can share with your audience through your fundraising website. For instance, if you are raising money for specific families in need, ask them to create a video of where the money will go and hyperlink it to that specific page.

Use your volunteers as assets. Ask them to share the website and involve their friends and families.

It’s proven helping others increases happiness levels. You can enable this form of help through online fundraising. It may not be person to person, but it can be just as effective in supporting the causes we care most about.

3 – Choose the Right Team

When it comes to your team, you’ll want to select the right people to be involved. People who have experience marketing and can get the word out – eyes to the site is absolutely crucial.

4 – Give Them a Reason to Come Back

If you’re concerned about low website traffic, you can delay the release of some items and use strategic messaging to drive supporters back to the site. You can create items, have them ready to go, and make them visible at a specific time. You can then send a message to your supporters letting them know new items are available.

5 – Allow Guests to Cover Processing Fees

When using Givergy, by default your guests are given the option to cover the credit card processing fee on your behalf. This could potentially save your organization thousands of dollars and increase your total revenue.

6 – Turn Losing Bids to Donations

When your auction does end, you can message guests who did not win items or make donations through the Givergy platform to ask if they would like to donate.

7 – When and How to ‘End’ the Event

As mentioned, a positive of online fundraising campaigns is you don’t have the same time constraint you otherwise would. You choose when to end your event based on your goals, and our system allows you to send custom ‘thank you’ messages.

Summary:

Due to the impact of COVID-19 we know many businesses and organizations have been forced to function with no in-person contact, online, or close down altogether.

In a drastically different world, Givergy is here to offer support in providing completely virtual events, as fundraising does not have the option of stopping. Although the situation is unprecedently hard, it is a time we can come together and show creativity with how we continue to support the causes we care about.

Our Client Service Managers (CSMs) are constantly speaking with fundraisers globally on how best to apply the suggestions above and Givergy is constantly brainstorming new and improved ideas on fundraising because of it. We are all in this together! And hope we can help you soon.

Any questions or feedback, please do get in touch.

Article contributed by Ashley Missen, Givergy Canada – CSM

At a time when the world is at home and going to live events just isn’t possible, the events industry is filling the void with live streaming and virtual events. Just this weekend some phenomenal events took place, including:

• One World: Together at Home – featuring the likes of Lady Gaga, Elton John and Taylor Swift, to name a few
• ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at the Royal Albert Hall
• Movie Night with Jamie Lee Curtis
• Robyn D.J.s Live

It’s a concept many are new to, but one we have realised for some time has a lot of potential. We’re learning new tricks quickly and wanted to offer some advice and support.

How it works:

Live streaming events is a fairly simple concept.  You really don’t need expensive or professional equipment, but the clearer the picture and sound quality of course the better it will be. Just make sure the backdrop for your shot is uncluttered, homely or fun, whatever your desire.

Content:

If you’re short on content; i.e. live music, comedy or interesting info, then do not fear – when fundraising it’s fine to be short and sweet.  You must have your Givergy fundraising platform set up where we can embed the live stream of the event, then show your fundraising targets, donation options and auction items (if applicable). Then you’re all set.

Timings:

The barebones are to invite your audience to participate at a specific time (say Saturday 6pm) and for a limited time (perhaps only 30 minutes to an hour).

The Host:

Then have your MC ready, an opening speech with your aims for the evening, drawing attention to the fundraising needs and how those at home can access the fundraising platform. For the more advanced, you can have multiple hosts, in different locations and these can include a speaker from the charity, videos, plus elements of entertainment such as a comedian or band. You could even include a celebrity chef with food suggestions or a wine connoisseur with a pre-agreed shopping list, for a fully interactive experience!

Platform options:

There are many different platforms that you can use to deliver your virtual event, some are free such as YouTube Live or Facebook Live. Others come with a cost such as GoToWebinar or one that we particularly like called Glisser. These offer better functionality and will allow you to create a more fluent and easier to manage event.

All platforms enable you to incorporate the live streaming of a host and presentation of your Givergy fundraising platform so your audience can use their phones, iPads or desktop computers to place bids on auction items, or make a donation. It’s genuinely interactive and fun for the MC to comment on and give thanks.

Limitations:

Guests can get distracted, or possibly confused if content doesn’t simply flow from one section to another. So, it’s crucial your content is simple, clear and structured.

How to fundraise:

We’ve already seen some great success stories supporting live streamed events. Again, it’s important to keep it clear and simple. Guests would have a giving platform on their computer, tablet or phone at the same time as having the live event open as well. Some suggestions for event fundraising:

Pre-Event Ticketing – You can sell tickets to attend the live event, either per person or per family / home. You can then share the link where the Live Event will be, or password protect to allow access. Learn more.

Donations – For most, a focus on donations throughout the event will be the main giving option. You can break this down to offer different levels with a clear explanation on what will be achieved with that amount. Or provide a simple ‘give any amount’ page where guests can choose the amount they want to donate. Check out an example. 

Silent Auction – Our bread and butter! Online silent auctions with eye catching imagery and descriptions is what we’ve been perfecting for 10 years. Include different categories, buy it now options and sealed bidding. If you need help sourcing some /all of your items , just let us know. Here is an example of a silent auction! 

Integrated Payment – Our online system includes integrated payment, so guests add in their card details at the time of giving or bidding to ensure that no money is lost. There is a payment processing fee, but you can ask your guests to cover at the time of the transaction.

We hope this helps. We believe now is the time to engage your donors to offer quality content, remind them of all the great things you are doing, and how they can help in this time of need.

For more information or any questions, please do get in touch.