Hello everyone from everywhere! Thank you so much for taking the time to follow the Fundforte Fast Tracks, blog, channel, and podcast! Welcome to track number 006, Fundraiser In Progress! If you're reading up on the blog, listening in on the podcast or watching over on the channel, I just ask that you do so safely and responsibly by assuring your attention is set on matters that are urgent or important to the well being of yourself and others around you.
Just as a recap, we’ve covered the following topics in track numbers 001- 005:
Track #001 – A Fundforte Introduction
Track #002 – Meet the Founder, Beaudy Marea G. Camacho
Track #003 – Fundraiser Feelings
Track #004 – Fundraiser Experiences
Track #005 – Fundraiser History
Today we will be discussing what types of fundraisers you have in progress that are considered “old school” and "new school" methods that you are currently planning or have executed recently. The purpose of this is to see if you are doing any activities that may be holding you back from reaching your full potential. In a future track, we will discuss these methods in-depth and also talk about what can be done to enhance your events, fundraisers or programs for more creativity, efficiency, and profitability!
The first six methods below are probably thought to be too “old school”, “cold”, “outdated” and “inefficient”. Though it may seem that way, there are many things you can do to apply these in a modern and creative fashion. There are many amazing ways to fundraise and host events now, these are methods that fundraiser professionals and event planners could only dream of which were absolutely nonexistent 10, 5 and even just 2 years ago. Upgrades and advancements in technology tend to get foggy as more of the same thing comes about claiming to be the best resource for you, for example, websites, mobile applications, and MLM (multi-level marketing) agencies. As for some of our more-seasoned event planners and fundraisers, the next six new school methods may seem "impersonal", "rushed", "too technical" and "oversaturated".
Experimentation with these different methods is the only way to find out what works for you, your organization and your supporters. Yes, the idea of fundraising with so many different ways available seems frustrating and overwhelming at first, but when the distractions and ineffective activities are eliminated, experimentation is faster, streamlined, and automated!
The methods below will be a part of your workbook at the end of the segment, so you may journal your thoughts, for now, to get ahead or you can wait until when the workbook is available. With it, you’ll be able to score yourself based on your answers to see if the activities you are currently implementing are distractions, ineffective, proactive, or opportune.
OLD SCHOOL METHODS:
Fundraising Method #1: Meetings / Donation Collection
The Meeting method of fundraising is the action of scheduling a meeting to request a donation, gift or support face-to-face and in-person from a current supporter or a prospect. Donation Collection also takes place in a face-to-face format where a representative for a cause is asked to support prospects in exchange for gratitude or recognition, this can also be in the form of stand-alone donation jars near registers, collection boxes padlocked for security purposes or anything similar, that collects small change like wishing wells, for example.
Fundraising Method #2: Phone Calls
The Phone Call method of fundraising is the action of calling to request a donation, gift or support over the phone. Other types of phone call fundraising include telemarketing and voice prompt methods as well. Donations are usually processed via credit card transactions.
Fundraising Method #3: Direct Mail
Direct Mail methods of fundraising include sending letters, postcards or packages which will be postmarked to current supporters and prospects, where funds will be processed through cash, check, or money order.
Fundraising Method #4: Text Message or SMS (Strictly Text)
Text Message and SMS (Short Message Service) methods of fundraising include sending short texts, updates, and notices to retained donors and prospects, this usually has a quick link or a "reply back" option to receive support with a donation from their service provider that is then added on to the subscriber's invoice or monthly bill.
Fundraising Method #5: Live Events
Live Event methods of fundraising include soliciting support from recurring donors or prospects by hosting events of many different types and categories of fundraising.
Fundraising Method #6: Traditional Sales
Traditional Sales methods of fundraising include soliciting support from recurring donors or prospects by selling items or services face-to-face or through pre-order. Beneficiaries can accept almost all forms of payment through this method.
NEW SCHOOL METHODS:
Fundraising Method #7: Digital Sales
Digital Sales methods of fundraising include soliciting support from recurring donors or prospects by selling items or services through pre-order over the internet, or by purchasing items that are readily available. The beneficiary receives a portion of the profits by becoming an affiliate of the host website.
Fundraising Method #8: Online Events, Digital Campaigns, Crowdfunding
Online events and digital campaigns are hosted by the beneficiary to spread awareness of a cause and garner support in a matter of minutes from all over the internet, including current supporters, prospect donors, and complete strangers. These online events or campaigns are usually given a time period to operate in and a target goal that has to be met. Funds are processed through credit cards, digital currency or digital banking platforms. The host website acts as the event or campaign "venue" and receives a portion of the proceeds as well, this is especially true for crowdfunding websites that are available for many different types of fundraising needs.
Fundraising Method #9: Email, Instant Messaging, and Buttons
Email and Instant Message requests provide the same opportunities as direct mail, text, and SMS but through a digital platform where the recipient of the request, which is either a current or future supporter, can explore further to gain access to an organization's website, social media and more. Links and buttons are embedded into a website or email and are added to provide a great guest experience, donations are accepted online through credit card or digital banking transactions.
Fundraising Method #10: Recurring Programs
In this day and age, the average supporter also wants to incorporate their donations and gifts by purchasing items that they use every day. Many companies have integrated this opportunity to support non-profits and causes that their companies believe in. Supporters of an organization sign-up for either a membership program, loyalty program or rebate program to receive the donations from the larger corporate companies.
Fundraising Method #11: Sponsorship
Sponsorship is nothing new, but it is still new territory for non-profit organizations as many are unaware of how to approach the arena. Sponsorship used to be an activity between businesses and corporations and now that larger companies are aware of contribution back to their communities for their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) campaigns, many partnered up with existent non-profits and sponsor their efforts instead of creating a non-profit of their own.
Fundraising Method #12: Social Enterprise
Adding a social enterprise branch is another way to raise funds while forwarding your mission. The legal entity is a for-profit business, but the missions, visions, and goals mirror your non-profit organization. Many Social Enterprises are founded to sustain operations by paying their employees regular rates as with any other department in their program. Some examples of popular social enterprises that are run by many non-profits are thrift stores, gardens, food stands, car washes, and memorial or historical sites. Both non-profits and for-profit entities can operate on volunteers and paid employees. Non-profit entities have more tax benefits and are found in hopes of advancing a particular mission for their clients or communities, but a social enterprise is one that is usually founded on the entrepreneurial spirit for better corporate social responsibility.
There are so many ways to fundraise! Though they may seem old school and new school, all of these methods still work. As mentioned before, you'd really just need to experiment with all of them to see what works best for your mission. Again, save your notes in your journal or on a digital file so that you can transfer it to the printable worksheet when it is ready. In the next tracks, we’ll be discussing fundraiser categories, types, foresight, and future!
Thank you again for following the Fundforte Fast Tracks, blog, channel, podcast and facebook group! You can find all this content, submit your questions, contact us and more at
www.fundforte.com. Please subscribe to the Fundforte Fast Track Membership at the website as well, for the free or paid plans. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube and Anchor for the freshest custom creative event solutions by Fundforte! Thank you and remember to make today a great one! -Beaudy Marea G. Camacho Founder of Fundforte