With so many worthy causes vying for support, how do you ensure your charity stands out and secures the funding it needs to succeed? In this blog, we'll explore some top ways for raising money for charity which you can use in your organization. Let's dive in…
Looking to start a charity of your own? Check out our free guide to starting a charity.
1. Create a website
In today's digital age, having a website is essential for any organization, including charities. It can increase visibility and help you reach a wider audience, making it easier to connect with potential donors.
Your website needs to be attractive, user-friendly, and easy to navigate. It also needs to explain the purpose of the charity, how the funds will be used, and ways to donate.
There are lots of tools out there for creating websites quickly and easily:
Squarespace and Wix:
Squarespace and Wix are simple ways to start. With drag and drop editors, they’re a great opportunity for anyone who’s building a website for the first time.
WordPress:
It’s said that 43% of the world’s websites run on Wordpress, which makes it a very popular and well-known option. There are thousands of themes to help you design your site. It’s a little more complicated than drag-and-drop editors and can require some knowledge of code to make a truly personalized design.
Craft:
With Craft, you can build a beautiful website in seconds that’ll be sure to get people talking. Starting with a simple document you can add a gorgeous background, format it with our unique Card design, and have it online with one click. For a head start, check out our templates for a Personal Website or Freelance Website.
2. Host your own fundraising event
Hosting your own fundraising event is an excellent way to raise money for your cause. For example:
Gala Dinners:
Gala dinners are high-end events that are usually held in the evening. They often include a silent auction, a dinner, and a program featuring entertainment and guest speakers. Gala dinners are great for fundraising because they can bring in a lot of money in a single evening.
Charity Runs and Walks:
These are events that involve participants walking or running a set distance, often to raise money for a specific charity. These events can be organized as a fun way to get people involved in a cause, and they also provide an opportunity for participants to get physically active.
Virtual Fundraiser:
With the aid of technology, you can now reach a wider audience and raise more money. You can do this by having a virtual fundraiser such as a webinar or live stream event where people can donate money in real-time. You could consider having an engaging speaker deliver a webinar or share stories of the great work your charity is doing, and ask for donations throughout the event.
Auction:
This is a very popular event amongst charities. In an auction, a charity will aim to sell items to the highest bidder. Charity auctions can include anything from unique experiences to signed sports memorabilia, and they often include a silent auction in addition to a live auction.
Community Events:
If you are looking to build a sense of community, why not organize community events such as a charity concert or a charity bake sale? These events bring people together for a common cause and can raise significant funds for your charity.
Looking for tips for hosting your first event? Discover how to become an event planner.
3. Volunteers are the lifeblood of charities
Volunteering is an essential aspect of any charity organization. It not only provides the necessary manpower to run the operations but also creates a sense of community and belonging among the volunteers. So how can your charity attract volunteers, especially in today's fast-paced world where everyone is busy with their personal and professional lives?
Start with friends and family
One of the easiest ways to get volunteers is to start with your friends and family. They are likely to support your cause and help spread the word about your organization. You can reach out to them personally, or use social media to connect with a wider network.
Utilize Social Media
Social media has become a powerful tool for connecting people and spreading awareness about various causes. As a charity, use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach out to a wider audience. This will help you attract more volunteers as well as increase the visibility of your charity.
TikTok is a platform that’s drawing a lot of attention at the moment which has seen charities like The Red Cross take to the platform and gain tens of thousands of followers. If your charity can find a way to share messages and content in an engaging and inspiring way, you might find success there in reaching new people.
In-Person Networking
Just like social media, in-person networking is a critical aspect of any successful organization. Reach out to your personal and professional network, and ask for their support. You can also attend community events, conferences, and trade shows to meet new people and connect with potential volunteers.
4. Build a community
As you take the actions above and grow your network, you will start to form a community of people committed to your cause. A community can support your organization in a number of ways such as by donating to your charity, volunteering their time, and being an advocate to help you reach even more people.
A community can provide a stable source of support, allowing the charity to plan for the future and make a lasting impact.
5. Get press coverage
Journalists are always looking for interesting and meaningful stories to share with their audiences. To get your charity in the press, it’s important to start thinking about how it might align with the needs and objectives of the journalist. Think of interesting stories of people your charity has helped or conduct research amongst your members and share the results with journalists.
Develop a Strong Pitch
Create a compelling and concise pitch that clearly explains what your charity is all about, what makes it unique, and what you hope to achieve. Your pitch should be attention-grabbing and engaging, and it should include all the essential information that journalists need to know.
Know Your Audience
Research the media outlets that are likely to be interested in your story. Find out what kind of stories they usually cover and what type of audience they reach. This will help you tailor your pitch and make it more appealing to them.
Build Relationships with Journalists
Once you’ve started to find media outlets which could be interested in your story, start taking note of the journalists who are writing them. Begin to follow and interact with them on social media, put your charity on their radar and look out for opportunities to share stories with them.
Use Social Media
Don't forget to use social media to get the word out about your charity. Share your story on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and use hashtags to reach a wider audience.
Offer Exclusive Content
Offer journalists exclusive content or access to your charity to make your story more appealing. This might include an interview with a staff member, a behind-the-scenes look at your work, or a special event.
6. Use emails and get friends to share
Email marketing can be a powerful tool to increase awareness about your cause. A well-crafted email can help you communicate your message effectively and efficiently to a large number of supporters. Consider giving away free content, for example, a guide or ebook, in exchange for people joining your mailing list. Once you've started growing your list, you can send out different types of emails to help engage members.
You might send emails that:
- Ask for donations
- Share updates on your work
- Invite people to events
With a mailing list, emails can be customized to target specific groups of supporters, such as past donors or people who have shown interest in your cause. To help initially grow the list when you launch, consider asking your close network of family and friends to share about it amongst their own network.
7. Get corporate sponsors
Collaboration between businesses and charities has become an increasingly important aspect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in recent years. Corporate partnerships provide charities with crucial support to achieve their mission and make a positive impact on communities. You can start by connecting with local businesses and organizations that might be interested in supporting your charity. You might consider hosting events and meetings which allow you to start building strong relationships with potential donors.
Aside from the funding you receive from these corporate organizations, charities can also benefit from valuable expertise and technology support to operate more efficiently. Companies can encourage employees to volunteer their time and skills to support a charity, providing employees with an opportunity to give back to the community and develop new skills.
Corporate sponsorships provide a range of benefits to both charities and companies, making them an essential aspect of a successful philanthropic strategy.
Conclusion
Raising funds for charity is a noble cause that requires creativity and persistence. The ideas shared in this blog are just a few of the many unique ways to gather support and funds for your charitable organization. Whether hosting a fun event, using social media, or getting featured in the press, the key to success is to find the right approach that aligns with your goals and resonates with your target audience. With a bit of effort and determination, you can make a significant impact and help your charity reach its goals.
