Online Fundraising

Are your nonprofit board members still doubting social media? Do they fail to “get it," even though you’ve built a thriving community on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook? Remember, board members are just like you. They want the organization to exceed its goals and help change the world, which is why they’re on the board in the…

So you’re getting some traffic to your online donation page, but the donations aren’t quite rolling in. What gives? There are a few common reasons why prospective donors ditch your donation page or don’t give as much as you might like them to. Here are 10 ways that you can optimize your online donation page…

Imagine this. You’re in a meeting with a donor. So you’ve done the hardest part already: you got the meeting. This donor really wanted to meet with you, and she actually invited you to her home. You’re in her kitchen, drinking tea and getting to know each other. You find out what made her interested in your…

Can tweets and Tumblr posts trump black-tie events and balloon drops? That’s what Elizabethtown College, a private liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, hopes. Last night, the college eschewed the traditional capital campaign kickoff—complete with formal attire, live music and the promise of a special announcement—for one that took place mostly online. By promoting the campaign…

Earlier this month, the First Community Foundation Partnership, located in the north central area of Pennsylvania, hosted its third annual Raise the Region campaign. This 30-hour online giving event raised funds for participating organizations in a six-county area. Community foundation giving days are part of a growing trend separate from the more widely known Giving…

Google believes in “moments of intent” and “micro-moments” relative to how consumers search. The question is—are we, as nonprofit marketers, truly available at the moments when people really need us?

Here’s a great article from Matt Collins, who makes the totally sensible statement that charities “need to think carefully about how resources are allocated.” With such dismal response rates on social media, Collins argued that we should shift our time and money to places that’ll give a better return. “It’s time to step away from…

How well does your newsletter work? Many organizations now use newsletters to communicate about their work. That’s good! But I see so many organizations produce fancy pieces that aren’t doing their jobs. Do newsletters right and they can be a serious source of income–by delighting your donors. Miss the mark and you’re throwing money away.…

After Todd King Sr.’s 13-year-old son Tyree was killed by a drunk driver last summer, friends, neighbors and strangers rallied to the family’s side, donating several thousand dollars for funeral expenses through a crowdfunding website. Then King, who lives in Springfield, Ohio, discovered that a neighbor had kept more than $1,000 of the $2,700 she…

Want your next fundraising campaign to be a success? Nail your emotional response. Whether it's online, at a gala or delivered through a street canvasser, it's the most important thing a nonprofit can do to raise funds. Here’s why: Emotions are the No. 1 drivers of actions. That means sharing and donating. In everything you do…