Month: January 2017

How To Host a Successful Fundraiser

Fundraising is not easy task. It takes meticulous planning, the right event, a group of generous donors, and the will power to bring it all together. Not all fundraisers are a success. Some end up being a total wash after they pay back rent for event space and entertainment. In order to have a successful fundraiser and raise as much funding as possible, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Mission

The best approach to a successful fundraiser is having a cause you’re extremely passionate about. Your passion and excitement will be infectious to donors and volunteers alike. This type of excitement cannot be faked either. Additionally, the more you care about the cause, the harder you’ll work.

Budget

Set a reasonable budget and stick to it. Going over budget only cuts into the money that gets donated at the end of the day. If you’re especially frugal, you may even be able to come in under budget. No matter what, plan ahead and cut out any and all unnecessary costs. The more money you can donate at the end of the day the better.

Multiple ways to give

Make sure your fundraiser has multiple ways to give. Ticket sales to attend the event are great, but some donors will spend more money if they can, so give them a way to do so! Things like raffles and silent auctions are fantastic ways to bring in more money. They also make it fun for those attending the event, so it’s a no brainer!

Leadership

Successful fundraising is not a one person operation. It is going to take a whole crew of people to make a large impact. With that in mind, make sure you have yourself a solid leadership team. The fundraiser will only go as well as the leadership behind it can provide. Assemble a team of equally enthusiastic, hardworking individuals. Trying to take it on alone will be overwhelming and hinder the outcome, so make sure you grab yourself the best team you can find!

Community Drives

Do you want to help out those less fortunate but don’t know where to start? Do you want to give, but feel like your small donation won’t make a difference? Not everyone can afford to open a school in another country or donate a million dollars to a natural disaster, but that doesn’t mean you can’t affect positive change right in your own community. If you’re looking to help others, start with those closest to home and organize a drive that can make an immediate change in the lives of others.

  • Blood Drive
    • Every two seconds in the United States, someone is in need of a blood transfusion, with nearly 21 million blood units transfused each year. The blood bank is filled exclusively through donations as blood cannot be manufactured, and although 38% of the population is able and eligible to donate, only about 10% of that 38% do. Reach out to the Red Cross and see if you can help save lives by organizing a blood drive.
  • Toy Drive
    • For children living in poverty, they’re lucky to have food on the table most nights, so buying toys really isn’t a financial option. Holding a toy drive in your community, especially around the holidays, can really make a difference in the life of a child.
  • Tampon/Pad Drives
    • A newer type of drive looking to solve a long-standing problem, Tampon and Pad Drives are sweeping the nation, answering the prayers of homeless women everywhere. Feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads are expensive with the necessary amount costing upwards of $100 a year, a price that’s simply not feasible for women who are homeless. These drives collect said hygiene products and distribute them to homeless women in need.
  • Food Drive
    • Many municipalities have food banks that do a great job of providing those in need with food. You can show support and do your part by hosting a canned  food or dried food drive to collect non perishables for your community food bank.
  • Blanket Drive
    • On cold, winter nights, there’s nothing like curling up on your couch with a blanket to keep you warm. Now imagine you don’t have a house, much less a couch to curl up in; blanket drives are one of the best ways you can ensure that people without homes or shelters stay safe against the element during the cold months.

Trends Impacting Philanthropy in 2017

2016 was a great year for philanthropy, breaking previous records and continuing to grow. Though the nonprofit sector is dwarfed by business and government, philanthropy has continued to gain traction as more and more self-starters are deciding to give back.

We can’t say for sure how the sector will change throughout the year, but we have a few guesses as to the trends that you can expect in 2017.

Philanthropy Becomes More Mainstream

Up until recently, philanthropy has generally been seen as something for the wealthy—with the spectacle of large donations and even larger checks to back this notion up.

Now, this paradigm is changing. It’s becoming easier than ever for individuals to donate and know where their donation is going. New generations have become more aware of social issues and are passionate about solving them. This alone has driven many millennials to try to make an impact—and these microdonations can collectively have a significant impact on the sector as a whole.

Impact Investing Improves

Impact investing, the practice of making investments for social and environmental gain in addition to earning money, has created a massive reserve of capital for many foundations.

The intention to gain a positive ROI is still there, but in addition to a desire to create lasting change. Expect impact investment to continue to grow throughout 2017.

Technology Changes Nonprofits

With philanthropy becoming more mainstream and younger individuals making smaller donations, nonprofit organizations will have to leverage changing technology and improve their marketing practices to stand out in the figurative crowd.

Individuals are more willing to give when they perceive an organization as being authentic, and updating obsolete marketing methods may be the best way to get through and effectively spread a message.

Women Step Up Giving

Another notable trend in philanthropy is the initiative that women have taken when it comes to giving. Women currently control more than half of the U.S’s private wealth, and that number is expected to continue growing.

Both large donations from individuals and the rise of women’s funding networks have encouraged more and more women to engage in charitable giving.

Tech Philanthropy Continues to Grow

As philanthropy becomes increasingly trendy among individuals with resources, individuals that have earned their wealth through technology are joining in. With some big names such as Jeff Bezos making large donations, it’s expected that more and more Silicon Valley tech magnates will step up in the near future.

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