How to Raise Money in 8 Steps

Nowadays, fundraising campaigns for a good cause can be seen almost everywhere – at bookstores, supermarkets, community bulletins and social media walls. No matter how visible they are, most of these campaigns end up unsuccessful. This situation mirrors a couple of realities in life: money doesn’t grow on trees and some people find it challenging to donate money without getting anything in return.

Do you need to raise money to pay an outstanding medical bill, to help an unfortunate relative or to support a community project? Read these tips that can help you raise money fast.

Do some research. Running a fundraiser is a great way to raise money especially if you need a big amount. However, this entails a lot of preparation and work. To begin, research about the fundraising regulations observed in your locality. Make sure to contact the rightful organization if you need some clarifications or advice regarding these rules.

Define your purpose and know your audience. Why are you doing this fundraising? Who are your beneficiaries? Your answer to both questions can help you identify the type of your prospective donors. If you need more information about your target audience, review the attendance and donation records of previous fundraisers with similar purpose.

3. Create a team. It takes a lot of people to put on a successful fundraiser. Gather people who believe in the cause you’re campaigning for. Reach out to relevant groups and ask them to help you run the fundraiser. Use social media platforms to advertise your need for volunteers. Be specific with your ads. Include the following details in your ad:

• your fundraising committees and the vacant positions in them
• the skills required from aspiring committee officers and members
• the tasks to be performed by chosen committee officers and members and other volunteers

4. Set up a great fundraiser. What kind of event are you going to host? Most fundraiser organizers stick to the classic fundraising activities which they modify a bit to suit their event’s theme or cause. You might need to come up with fresh activities that are more fun and interesting if you’re targeting a younger crowd or audience. Look for a relevant blog which can provide ideas, tips and inspiration for fundraising newbies like you. You can also conduct a survey to know the interests of your audience.

5. Consider fundraising on the internet. You can use the internet to promote your fundraising event. By setting up an event's page, you can inform a lot of people about your event, sell event tickets online, invite people to donate and more. Make sure to provide a link to your website (if you have any) in your event’s page. This will make it easier for prospective donors to get more information about your cause, timeline of activities, fundraising stats, etc.

While you might find it easier to collect donations online, you must not stop from organizing fundraising events. Why? No matter how digital or virtual human communication has become, people are still social creatures with innate desire to gather together and do something meaningful for the benefit of their fellow men.

6. Start a crowdfunding drive. There are different websites which you can use to start with your crowdfunding campaign for any cause. These websites also allow you to create tier for donations. However, they expect some kind of incentives for higher tiers. If you want your campaign to stand out from the rest, use compelling descriptions and statements to advertise it. If words aren’t enough, use videos.

Network with other people. Do you want a big fundraiser turnout? Consider partnering with the local businesses in your area. Check to see which businesses are willing to make donations in exchange for product endorsement. Some businesses prefer donating their products instead of cash. You can use these as prizes during the ice breaker games in your fundraising event.

Payback the kindness!

Thank all your donors and volunteers. It is best to thank them as soon as they’ve made the donations and signed up to help respectively. You can thank them again as soon as the fundraising event is done. In the case of a large crowd, make sure to send out ‘thank you’ cards within 48 hours. If you’re thinking about thanking your donors with a gift, check whether you’ve raised extra money to cover for gift purchases. Also, consult with a fundraising expert if this is the best way to return a kindness.