Fundraising activities are just like any other business. If you are not reaching the right target market, you won't be able to reach your financial goals. And just like any other business endeavor, this can end up costing you money rather than increasing it. It is imperative that you use the appropriate fundraising strategies to optimize your return on investment.
Your fundraising strategies have to revolve around your final goals and budget. You must work strictly within the constraints of your resources, but you must have your goal firmly affixed in your mind. Only then can you start to plan a strategy that will help you achieve success.
Your target audience should, in theory, be fairly obvious. If you're only trying to raise the funds for a high school trip you can focus on your neighborhood family and friends. But if you work for a charitable organization and are trying to start a program that will help hundreds of homeless people, you're going to have to aim a little higher.
Fundraising strategies are about more than just picking an audience, though. You also need to set up the activities that are appropriate for the audience, but still related to the end goal. An example here would be a fancy dinner for charity. It may appeal to a rich audience, but if they don't agree with the cause, they won't show up.
There are some simple questions you can ask to start developing your strategies. First, ask yourself how you will create an awareness of the need. Many people with the resources to help with your fundraising may not know about the need or who is collecting money for it. You need to get the word out as soon as possible.
Next, ask yourself how you can start to implement the strategies. Many fundraising endeavors die an early death because people spend too much time talking about it and not enough time putting it into effect. Decide immediately how you will recruit and manage volunteers and how you will use your resources to achieve your financial goals.
You should also reward your contributors and volunteers in a way they will appreciate. This should be a major part of any fundraising strategies because no matter what you are raising money for - from helping the homeless to sending the band on a trip - you may find that everyone really wants to know what is really in it for them.
Fundraising strategies don't have to be complex; they simply have to be targeted correctly. When you understand your audience and develop the activities they can relate to, your efforts will be quickly rewarded.
Your fundraising strategies have to revolve around your final goals and budget. You must work strictly within the constraints of your resources, but you must have your goal firmly affixed in your mind. Only then can you start to plan a strategy that will help you achieve success.
Your target audience should, in theory, be fairly obvious. If you're only trying to raise the funds for a high school trip you can focus on your neighborhood family and friends. But if you work for a charitable organization and are trying to start a program that will help hundreds of homeless people, you're going to have to aim a little higher.
Fundraising strategies are about more than just picking an audience, though. You also need to set up the activities that are appropriate for the audience, but still related to the end goal. An example here would be a fancy dinner for charity. It may appeal to a rich audience, but if they don't agree with the cause, they won't show up.
There are some simple questions you can ask to start developing your strategies. First, ask yourself how you will create an awareness of the need. Many people with the resources to help with your fundraising may not know about the need or who is collecting money for it. You need to get the word out as soon as possible.
Next, ask yourself how you can start to implement the strategies. Many fundraising endeavors die an early death because people spend too much time talking about it and not enough time putting it into effect. Decide immediately how you will recruit and manage volunteers and how you will use your resources to achieve your financial goals.
You should also reward your contributors and volunteers in a way they will appreciate. This should be a major part of any fundraising strategies because no matter what you are raising money for - from helping the homeless to sending the band on a trip - you may find that everyone really wants to know what is really in it for them.
Fundraising strategies don't have to be complex; they simply have to be targeted correctly. When you understand your audience and develop the activities they can relate to, your efforts will be quickly rewarded.
About the Author:
Carmen Martinella is a professional author specializing in best fundraisers and fundraising ideas.
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