Fundraising is an important part of several kinds of non-profit organizations and is not expendable at all. However, planning a fundraising event, managing it properly, and ensuring that it is a success is not an easy task.
Whether you have been doing the same for your non-profit for some time now or want to plan your first event, having the right guidance and tools becomes vital. This is when using fundraising software for non-profits can be the perfect solution you are looking for.
If you are only recently hearing about a fundraising tool and how it can help you enhance productivity and efficiency in your events, this article is a great read. Here you will learn about what it is and how you can use it.
A Brief History of Online Non-Profit Donation and What Fundraising Software Is
The first ‘Donate Now’ button you now so abundantly see was first created during the latter half of the 1990s. Tides Foundation was hosting their project, known as Groundspring, and since then, until today, organizations have been looking for newer and more innovative ways of doing so.
There have been several novel ways ever since then, including the use of email marketing services like MailChimp (2001), WordPress (2003), and social networking platforms like MySpace (2005). While these methods have significantly impacted the industry today, they were not as efficient and capable as the current software you can find.
Nowadays, nonprofits all around the world have access to different online tools that could not have been imagined. Fundraising software utilizes all such tools in a centralized location with the main aim of streamlining the different processes and allowing better management of your fundraising efforts.
These fundraising programs for nonprofits are quite intuitive and can help better communication between your organization and donors.
However, with the rise in demand for such products, there has been a range of options available in the industry. This means you can base your decision on the specific needs of the campaigns you run and the scope of your organization.
Why Might You Require Fundraising Software For Your Non-Profit?
Now that you know what fundraising software is and how it came about to be a common addition to your fundraising efforts, it is time to learn why they have become so integral. Fundraising software allows you to ease logistic challenges while streamlining your campaign processes.
This way, you can focus better on building a more robust donor relationship, in turn receiving a lot more donations for your cause. You can keep track of your donor activities, find new ones by evaluating their habits and help you manage your overall campaign better.
That said, to ensure you maximize the benefits such software offers, you have to ensure you are using it correctly. Further in this article, you will learn about a few ways you can use fundraising software for your non-profit correctly.
How to Use Fundraising Software Correctly?
With the information mentioned here, you already know why such software is so popular and necessary for a non-profit. However, knowing how you should use it correctly and the ways to implement the best practices is crucial. This will allow you to ensure the best results and ease overall processes without any hassle.
· Make The Donation Process Easier:
There is no doubt that online fundraising has been a successful practice ever since its inception. It has been able to raise billions of dollars, helping each cause uniquely. However, many non-profits often make the donation process a lot harder than it has to be.
This can often deter the donor from making their donation, eventually hindering your cause to reach its full potential. As a non-profit organization, your main aim should be to make the donor feel welcome and included in your cause. Giving them a long list of instructions and steps to follow is something you should refrain from doing.
As a basic thumb rule, you should always make your donation pages simple, mobile-friendly, and easy to use. You should also ensure that you capture the necessary contact information of the donor without making it too intrusive or a task.
Having a well-designed donation page can take you a long way in this industry. In addition, you should also allow your donors to pay with multiple payment options, allow monthly scheduled donations and make tribute gifts for donors. This will not only make the process a lot easier for the donors but also ensure you maximize returns.
· Develop A Tribute-Giving Program:
This is another great way you can utilize the software to the fullest. Any capable platform will allow you to add a memorial gift option or special occasion to the primary donation page. However, a good platform will let you do it for your multiple donation pages.
For instance, you can offer both memorial gifts and occasion gifts, each on a specific donation page. This kind of website structure works quite well for non-profits. Nevertheless, you also have to pay attention not your promotional text and branding while building the web pages to make them highly effective.
Launching a tribute gifting program is totally worth your investment since more than 30% of donors around the world give such gifts.
To extend this effort to its full potential, make sure you promote your non-profit during the holidays. The rest of the year, try letting your supporters know how tribute gifts are a great form of donation.
· Utilize The Matching Gift Strategy:
Surveys have shown how assuring your donor that their gift will be matched by another corporation or donor can help increase overall revenue by as much as 19%. Matching gift capabilities attract more donors and increase the probability of them donating. By adding matching gifts to the annual fundraising plan, you can raise more money online with comparatively little effort.
Chances are that you already have a major donor who is ready to donate towards a matching gift campaign. Most corporations will match up to the first $10000. All you have to do is mention them on your website, social media, or email campaigns. Start by making a list of your potential sponsors and donors and inviting them to participate.
While this is the conventional way, publicly searching for matching gift sponsors and donors works as well. Develop a dedicated page on your website, underlining the benefits of the program and a CTA. A public search is often the best way to attract new donors. Other ideas might include including a print newsletter ad or listing an opportunity under ‘more ways to give’ on your website.
Another way of finding the right sponsors and donors for your matching gift strategy is by directly searching for the employer from the donation form. This is a faster and more efficient process, allowing you to know if the company can match their donation.
For smaller organizations with a limited budget, try looking for software highlighting all current trends. This can include tribute giving, monthly giving, crowdfunding, and more.
Types of Fundraising Software for Non-Profits
These are some ideas you can use to ensure that your fundraising efforts are a success. In addition to receiving more donations, you will also be able to simplify the overall process, leading to better management. However, to ensure your choice of software is working at its optimal, make sure you determine your funding needs first. Here are some basic types of fundraising software you can choose from:
- Crowdfunding
- Peer-to-peer fundraising
- Text-to-give
- Auctions
- Matching gift
- Church giving
- Planned Giving
With this information, you can easily find the best software for your purpose. Take ample time researching and comparing the software you choose. Try looking for software that will suit your business needs aptly. Rest assured, with efficient and capable software, there is nothing more you have to worry about.
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