Are you looking for ways to improve your fundraising for nonprofits? Even in these tough financial times, people are still feeling generous. They might limit their charity donations, but most people don’t do away completely with giving to their favorite nonprofit. There are some ways you can increase your fundraising goals and keep your nonprofit strong.
Proper Use Of Volunteers
Some of your fundraising ability will be determined by the number and dedication of your volunteers. In order for a fundraising event to go smoothly, it’s important that you plan everyone’s role ahead of time. Giving everyone a designated responsibility means you will have to do less supervising, which will free you up to pay attention to your attendees.
Eating For A Good Cause
Some of the tried and true fundraising events still work today. In addition, they can be very easy to plan. A spaghetti and meatball dinner held at a church or other donated pavilion is an inexpensive way to raise money. If you don’t want to go that route, you can always have a fundraising breakfast or brunch.
The key is to deliver quality food and service that will please the people who are attending. You don’t want to have your events dreaded and avoided because the food is never cooked right or the people serving it aren’t friendly. In today’s difficult economy, people still want to help but they sometimes have to watch every penny. Keep that in mind when planning any nonprofit fundraising event, but especially one with just a single focus such as a dinner.
Auction It Off
Auctions have gained popularity when it comes to fundraising for nonprofits . People enjoy seeing what is up for bidding, and they love the socializing that is usually involved at one of these events.
As a nonprofit fundraiser, you can often get donated goods and services from a wide array of community contributors and storefronts. You can have a themed auction, which might work if your nonprofit is very specific, such as an animal breed rescue league or something similar.
However, if your nonprofit has a wide focus, it is usually better to allow a wide variety of donations to be put up for sale. That way you have a better chance of interesting almost every buyer who attends.
Show People Why It Makes A Difference
A sure way to decrease your fundraising account is to simply tell people you need the money. While that’s true, the crassness involved will turn many people off. You need to show people what their donations will do to help. Even if you see the same people at your events year after year, never take them for granted.
Put yourself in their shoes. What would you want to see and learn about when it comes to what your agency does? While you should list monetary amounts and the accounts they go to, you also have to make a presentation more palatable. Nonprofits that help animals and children have a leg up on this. Very few people can resist photographs of innocent kids and creatures that need help. But even if your nonprofit is to save the wild ash beetle, make it human. Don’t be afraid to tug at heartstrings.
Fundraising for nonprofits can seem like a thankless chore. However, when done right, you can help make dreams come true.
