Did you know that the only form of fundraising that didn't decline in 2008 was donations given online? Revenue from direct mail, special events, and planned giving all decreased last year.
This was just one valuable piece of information heard during our TechSense program on October 16, A Rookie's Guide to Online Fundraising. Rebecca Higman from Network for Good talked about how any nonprofit can enhance its presence on the Internet and start its own online giving program. Based on Network for Good's experience, even a small organization -- one with a budget under $250,000 -- can raise an average of over $10,000 a year through online giving.
If you missed this program, you can view the slides from Rebecca's presentation online. And here are some of the other key takeaways from the program:
- Online fundraising is the Great Equalizer -- it can be used by nonprofits of any size, not just the big, well-known organizations. And it's not as hard (or expensive) to get started as you may think!
- All kinds of people donate online, not just young people. In fact, about 52% of online donations come from the Baby Boomer generation.
- People give online for lots of different reasons, including:
- it's easier than writing a check.
- they can make a donation quickly, like to help after a natural disaster.
- it can be anonymous.
- they can use "autopay" options to give regularly to causes they care about.
- Bad web site design is the "donation killer." Make sure your Donate button is big, bold and easy to find.
- Develop a strategy for your online giving program. Sure, it's great to be on Facebook and to send out email newsletters, but how is this all working together?
- Focus on your donor's experience. Remember, it's not about you -- it's about them! Talk about what your donors can do to help and how their contributions make a difference.
About 50% of online charitable donations come in during the month of December, so it doesn't pay to put this off any longer! You can find lots of other useful information about online giving on Network for Good's training site, Fundraising123.org.
Has your organization started raising money online? If you have, tell us about your experience!
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