In the last few years, crowdfunding platforms have raised billions of dollars in the form of charities and donations. They have helped non-profit organizations get funds to help better the lives of the less fortunate among us.
With digital platforms becoming such an important part of our reality, there has been increasing awareness of normal people coming together in the hopes of helping someone. A crowdfunding campaign can be started by a non-profit organization themselves or by any common individual that believes in their purpose and existence.
In this article, we look at five steps that can help you launch a successful non-profit crowdfunding campaign. Before we do, let us first look at the meaning and definition of crowdfunding.
Crowdfunding Platforms and Campaigns: What are they?
As the term implies, crowdfunding involves the pooling of money by a large group of people who believe in the same cause. In the past, it has been used by everyone from politicians to schools for cookie sales.
With the advent of technology and digital platforms, crowdfunding has become an online medium where people view multiple charitable causes, decided which ones appeal the best to them, and contribute towards it by paying money.
According to data, there are nearly 200 crowdfunding online platforms in the US alone. Over the past few years, crowdfunding has become a great way to spread awareness, sensitize individuals, and do a lot of great work to bring about a qualitative change in the lives of human beings and animals.
From helping war veterans get prosthetic limbs to enabling a Gay Bull named ‘Benjy’ to escape the slaughter and find a new home, crowdfunding platforms demonstrate the real strength of common people and how they can make a difference.
List of 5 Easy Steps to Start A Successful Non-Profit Crowdfunding Campaign
Step 1- Select the Best Crowdfunding Platform
If you are an individual that wants people to get on board with your cause, you need to partner with a platform that is genuine, respectable, and credible. Platforms like Singapore Children’s Society have established themselves as one of the sincerest and committed platforms in the world of crowdfunding, Selecting the best platforms is half the job done.
Step 2- Create your Campaign Page on the Platform
Once you have spoken to the support team on the platform, the next step is to create a campaign page. You need to outline what the campaign is all about and ensure that people are going to get moved after reading the same. Include videos and images of the cause to help people in identifying with it. Ensure you are able to write from the heart to give credence to the cause.
Step 3- Generate Awareness and Market your Crowdfunding Campaign
Simply creating a crowdfunding page is not going to help you raise the funds. You need to ensure that the word gets out about your non-profit crowdfunding campaign. You can do this by sharing the campaign details on social media pages, communities, and groups. Experts also recommend using an email marketing campaign to help with better reach and donations.
Step 4- Start Getting Donations Flowing from Family and Friends-
Other people who come to your campaign page feel encouraged when they see that a campaign has already gathered momentum and needs some small push to achieve completion. This is why you need to start with small amounts of donations from your friends, relatives, and colleagues just to get the ball rolling. Once you do, you will see others pooling in with the funds.
Step 5- Try to Get Online Ambassadors and Influencers to Support your Cause-
We are living in an age dominated by social media. If you want to get traction for your cause, you need to slide into the DMs of influencers and ambassadors. Most of them are already looking for ways and means to align their personalities and interests with social causes. If any one of them picks it up and shares it on their social pages, you will be able to get traction.
The Bottom Line
If you have been able to successfully raise the funds required, you need to share the success story with all the individuals and groups that have participated in the crowdfunding. Showing what their money has resulted in and creating a video to show how they have been able to make an impact can help you build credibility. If you want us to elaborate on any of the points in the article, let us know in the comments section below.
