Although I’m an accomplished business executive, I don’t forget about my roots and my commitment to philanthropy. My father passed away when I was young, and as the eldest of four boys, I assumed the head of the family. My desire to care for children who need love and support didn’t go away as I got older, so I became a Big Brother for the United Way. I also volunteered for many other organizations, and each was a unique eye-opening and rewarding experience.
No matter which organization I was with, I realized how important it is to fundraise. There are so many great organizations out there that help children and families — but they can’t help them without the funds to do so. Here are a few key ways to fundraise for your philanthropy.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a form of fundraising that’s gained traction over the past few years. When you create a page for your fundraising campaign, it’s important to have information about what the money will be used for and why it’s needed. Not all crowdfunding sites are for philanthropies, so here’s a small list of philanthropic-centered crowdfunding sites to help you get started:
- CrowdRise – CrowdRise is the world’s largest and fastest-growing fundraising platform dedicated exclusively to charitable giving. Used by millions, CrowdRise has been named the best place to raise money online by Mashable.
- Indiegogo – Indiegogo has had substantial international growth because of their flexibility, broad approach and their early start in the crowdfunding industry. Through Generosity by Indiegogo, nonprofits and socially minded are able to get discounts with a 0% platform fee. Some examples of fundraising campaigns on this site include causes in the medical, education and sports fields.
- Razoo – Razoo was formed out of a desire to offer a service for underfunded nonprofits and people in need. The platform empowers nonprofit organizations, highlights teamwork and gives individuals a voice for what they care about.
Fundraise with Food
Food brings people together for a common cause, and after all, everyone has to eat! Here are a few ways to fundraise for your organization with the power of food:
- Don’t do the traditional bake sale because they’re so overdone! Make your organization stand out by doing something different like a baked potato bar, pancake breakfast or barbecue. And instead of having a set price, sell the food and tickets by donation. People will be more inclined to donate more money to your organization.
- Fundraise at a local restaurant. Some restaurants have fundraising programs to donate a fixed amount of money for every patron in a certain time period. Applebee’s, Fuddruckers and Friendly’s are just a few.
Have an Online Presence
The first place people go to get more information about an organization or event is to look it up online. Whether it’s a website or social media profile, having one or both of these aspects can be extremely important for your fundraiser. Make sure you include the key details like contact information, addresses, dates, locations, times and visuals that represent your organization. It’s also important to make sure the website and social media profiles are updated regularly.
Have you tried these tips before? If so, let me know in the comments section because I would love to hear about how it went.
