Tips for Fundraising for a Charity or Cause

There are many causes and organizations making a difference in our world. Each of us has specific causes that we relate to and believe in. Maybe you’ve done a walk, ran a 5K, or signed up to raise money before. But doing your own fundraiser is something new to you. Even if you have done a few fundraisers and have some experience under your belt, these tips for fundraising for an organization or a cause can be helpful.

Get to Know the Basics About the Organization

You will want to learn all the basics about the organization or cause you plan to raise funds for. Get to know general information like:

• The name of the organization
• What city, state, and country the organization is based in
• What is the organization’s web address?
• What services are provided by the organization
• What difference is the organization making?
• Why is this cause important to you – and to others?

Before starting any fundraising efforts, you should be able to answer all of the above questions. Then, you’ll want to dig in a little deeper and expand your knowledge about the cause. You may already be receiving regular information from the organization via social media or email. If not, you certainly want to connect with them at least during the fundraising period.

To ensure you are up to date on their most current information do this:

• Become friends with the organization on Facebook.
• Follow them on Twitter and any other social networking platform where they post and interact regularly.
• If they have an email newsletter, subscribe to it.
Make sure to read all the messages you receive from the organization. It’s important for you to remain knowledgeable about all they are doing to make a difference.

Get Permission from the Organization for Fundraising

It may sound a bit silly, but it’s always a good idea to get permission from the organization to raise funds on their behalf. Contact them and let them know you want to do some fundraising for them. Also tell them what type of activity you have in mind. They usually have specific guidelines or rules for money management and advertising regarding fundraising efforts.
Many organizations will tell you that you can give them the money from your fundraisers like bake sales and garage sales. However, they may ask that you make it clear that it is not an official or sanctioned fundraising event. This doesn’t mean they are ungrateful they are just careful about their image and things done on their behalf or in their name.
Some organizations may tell you to not collect money on their behalf. They ask that instead, you send people to their website to make donations. They are not necessarily ungrateful for your passion and your help. They just want to make sure all the donations get to them.
If you choose to hold a fundraising event for a family or person such as covering medical bills or funeral expenses, make sure to ask before beginning the fundraising process. It is best if the family opens an account for these types of expenses. You can encourage people to donate directly into that account. That way, there’s no doubt that all the money goes where it’s supposed to.

How to Get Started

Start by telling everyone on your social media sites about your fundraiser. Send it via email, talk about it on your blog, or announce it at social events. Explain that you are fundraising on behalf of the organization or cause and make it clear why you are doing so. Give the full name and the URL of the organization so people can check it out themselves. This lets them know it’s a legitimate cause. Also set a time frame for your fundraising efforts.
Make sure the reason is clearly stated. If you just say something like “this poor person (or organization) needs money, please help!” You are not likely to get much support. Instead, focus o these two qualities:
• What services are the organization currently providing? (What need are they meeting?)
• What difference is the organization making? Why (and to whom) is that important?
These are the reasons people donate to organizations and causes. The information in these two points are why people will donate.

Tracking Donations

Make sure to track every single donation. Keep a running list in a notebook, ledger, or a spreadsheet. Include the name of the person making the donation and the amount they donated. Always thank donors with a card or postcard. Also keep everyone donated about fundraising efforts and how it is going. Giving at least a weekly update on social media platforms is a great way to keep everyone informed and engaged.

You’ll find lots of information, ideas, and collections to help you support your cause at Fundraising for a Cause. Our vast inventory includes ribbons, stickers, hats, bracelets and many other items to help you show support for popular causes.