Getting it On(line) - fundraising at Blogher 2007
Live notes from Blogher 2007 Getting it On(line) for a cause: Fundraising -- these amazing ladies chat about successful fundraising campaigns, cool online tools/widgets to get funds together and how to grow your community and reach your goals innovatively and efficiently. Photo via my happykatie Flickr
Panelists:
Beth Kanter
Raised $800 for Cambodian woman to go to college ($800/year for tuition, room and board) - used Chipin (www.chipin.com) for fundraising.
Cambodian Sara / Bhatoon (= princess) - Beth's daughter. Monk who gave blessing for children didn't speak English, except for 'lucky children' and 'better life'.
Fundraising isn't about your cause and your organization - it's all about you and why you care.
Great resource - Katya's Non Profit marketing blog: www.nonprofitmarketingblog.com
- Setting it up - tell your cause (with a personal twist) and stories
- Prospects - review your contacts, but only those that you really know and know you care -- Flickr / friends
- Messaging - use personal info (letters, photos, first hand accounts)
- Materials -
- Outreach - get
- Follow up - Beth posts photos and letter updates from
Is it possible to raise a lot of money? Start small - give us $10 and it will send a Cambodian kiddo to school and completely change their life. Ask friends to ask friends to ask friends -- start the chain.
Don't make your donor relationships purely transactional - keep them involved and in touch. Make them part of your community.
Suggestions: www.chipin.com // www.sixdegrees.com (working with Kevin Bacon - LOL!!) -- some of these sites offer matching challenges - you reach a certain number of donors and they match a certain amount of fundraising
Be careful of some fundraising sites, as some charge a certain portion of the proceeds -- up to 10% in some cases!
Kay Lynn Denny (of Kay Lynn's Kitchen)
Offering prizes - specifically prizes that are associated with your readership / community - is a great way to motivate members and visitors to donate and spread the word
Make sure that you clarify where your funds will be going - this adds credibility and excitement to your campaign
'Heeby jeeby computerized thing' = awesome Blogher quote :)
Link love is essential - make your campaign a win-win situation (link to sponsors, winners of raffles/prizes, contributors, volunteers, etc.)
Don't ask just for money - can ask for contributed items / photography lessons / promotion / trade for services
Think of timing - holding a campaign near December could mean people buying tickets or donating for Christmas presents, etc.
Keep costs down by focusing energy and marketing online - great even for promoting an offline event, due to the reach online communication affords
Perseverance - allow yourself the journey
Focus on mutual benefit - win-win is the way to go // Sacred ethics and commodity ethics
What is the place of Gift economy in nonprofit fundraising? - concept originally by Louis Hyde // Interesting to consider virtual gifts for donaters
Second Life is a great cost-effective way to fundraise -- events have no overhead and participants are passionate and generous // find ways to connect!
"Maybe it's just the Catholic in me, but you ask often and all the time" - great fundraising quote from audience member :)
Posted by: Kalyn | July 31, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Posted by: Brittany | July 31, 2007 at 02:26 PM