Tips on How organizations Can Capitalize on Crowdfunding

For the last ten years, crowdfunding has empowered people to fundraise for any cause, including charities—and now nonprofits are joining the trend! Creating a fundraising page is fast and easy; NPOs are setting up crowdfunding pages to raise money.
 
Don’t let its simplicity misguide you! While it is easy to create a webpage, launching a campaign requires time and preparation, as well as the right cause for it to succeed.
 
In this article, we’ll cover some guidelines on how you can raise money with crowdfunding:
Before you start a campaign, determine if crowdfunding is the right fit.
 
1. Determine if crowdfunding is the right choice.
Before you launch a campaign, you need to assess your goals to evaluate if crowdfunding is the best option.

This will help you check if you have resources in place to run a successful campaign and if your cause for fundraising fits this strategy.

Crowdfunding matches best for campaigns that have a targeted project that needs to be funded by a specific date. With that in mind, crowdfunding isn’t ideal for broader fundraising initiatives, like annual funds, for example.

Furthermore, you should look internally to see if your organization has the right resources and structure to profit from a crowdfunding campaign.
 
2. Select the best crowdfunding platform for your needs.
Not every application offers the same features and capabilities. That’s why it’s essential to find a website that not only meets your requirements but also has the functionalities that will make your campaign succeed.

There are different crowdfunding websites available, so you’ll need to filter out your choices by considering the platform’s:

• Ease of use.
• Social integrations.
• Price.

 
In short, choosing a solution can have a significant effect on the outcome of your campaign. Consequently, you should carefully analyze your options and pick the one that best fits your needs and budget.
 
3. Tell your story.
A compelling story can help enhance your crowdfunding campaign for several reasons:

• Storytelling keeps supporters engaged while ensuring they read your message.
• Storytelling helps donors connect to your social cause and to the community you serve.
• Storytelling allows users the chance to envision how the funds will be invested.

It’s important to include why you’re requesting donations and, when possible, some stories from the people you help. This way donors can really see the impact their contributions will have.

Including a detailed description isn’t just beneficial for your supporters. Stories help increase your awareness and visibility on search engines and make your content shareable.
 
4. Share Your Campaign - Offline and Online.
The key to the success of a crowdfunding campaign depends on your people sharing your webpage and getting the word out about your cause.

The most common way to spread the word is, indubitably, through social media. You can use it to post videos and images related to your campaigns to attract more attention. Besides, social media isn’t just a way for your organization to promote the campaign; your donors can also share your page with their networks as well.
 
5. Giving standards and motivations.
Most crowdfunding platforms give you the option to add levels and incentives to drive donors to contribute. Giving levels allow you to suggest different donation amounts (for example $5, $25, $50, etc.), making the giving process a bit easier for your supporters. When creating giving levels, it’s essential to consider your donors and how much they can donate.

You shouldn’t set your levels too high because your donors won’t use them, or even worse, it could discourage them from giving at all. Use these levels as a way to show how far donations will go. For instance, if you’re crowdfunding to assist children in hunger, you can explain that $6 will provide three meals.
 
6. Plan an event with your crowdfunding campaign.
With an event you will have the opportunity to interact with donors face-to-face, answer their concerns, and assessing their responses to specify how you should adjust your pitch.

Typically, events will work best at the beginning of a fundraising campaign. This will get people excited! At your event, you should also have a donation table where supporters can learn more about your cause and how to contribute.
 

Use these tips to help you launch a crowdfunding campaign and reach your goals!

Have fun fundraising!