Research doesn\u2019t show that this is the time lots of fundraising professionals think seriously about moving to a desert island, but I\u2019m pretty sure it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n
“50% of nonprofits receive a majority of their donations from October through December…”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n![\"It](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/nonprofit-desert-island-1024x683.jpg\")
It wouldn\u2019t work. If all we nonprofit professionals escape to a desert island, you know we\u2019d just start an organization to make life on the island better. And eventually, we\u2019d have to do an annual campaign<\/a> for that organization.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAt CauseVox<\/a>,\u00a0a fundraising platform for nonprofits,\u00a0we can\u2019t promise to remove all your stress and take away your to-do list, but we do want to make sure that you have great strategies for your annual campaign.<\/p>\n1. Integrate Your Campaign<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s easy to think of a campaign in terms of dollars and cents, but what it\u2019s really about is telling stories. Storytelling<\/a> is what connects us as humans, and how we build communities. We believe stories can change the world\u00a0when you post them directly on your CauseVox fundraising campaign.<\/p>\nYour annual campaign should have one strong story that you tell everywhere. That story is what will inspire your donors.<\/p>\n
“Your annual campaign should have one strong story that you tell everywhere…”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\nConsider classic Hollywood stories<\/a> like:<\/p>\n\n- Overcoming the Monster–The story of how a plucky organization overcomes a threat to their community.<\/li>\n
- Rags to Riches–The story of how someone\u2019s life improves through an organization\u2019s action.<\/li>\n
- The Quest–The story of a journey to achieve something great.<\/li>\n
- Voyage and Return–The story of how someone went to a strange land (addiction, illness) and found their way home.<\/li>\n
- Rebirth–The story of how someone\u2019s transformation.<\/li>\n
- Tragedy–The story of how negative forces harmed innocents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Every story you tell should:<\/p>\n
\n- Demonstrate how a donation makes a difference<\/li>\n
- Connect your donors to the community<\/li>\n
- Create an emotional<\/a> experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You\u2019ll want your essential message to be consistent<\/a> across all your channels, so that supporters get the story no matter where they encounter it, but the way you tell the story will change depending on the channel. This keeps your campaign fresh, even if your donors are encountering you in several places.<\/p>\nEach channel offers specific ways to tell your story:<\/p>\n
\n- Your fundraising website: Your CauseVox campaign becomes a destination for people to find and discover compelling stories, driving more traffic and donations to your annual campaign.<\/li>\n
- Email: Tell your story with a short example, photographs, and regular updates.<\/li>\n
- In-person events: Tell your story with conversations, photo displays, video, and personal public speeches.<\/li>\n
- Social Media: Tell your story with video, infographics, and photos.<\/li>\n
- Print: Tell your story in-depth, using longer form content to tell personal stories of your impact.<\/li>\n
- Direct Mail: Tell your story with a human face. Choose a single example to tell vividly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
By integrating your campaign, you ensure that no matter where supporters encounter it, they\u2019ll hear the same message.<\/p>\n![\"Project](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Project-Renewal-channels.jpg\")
Project Renewal <\/a>tells the same story differently on Twitter than on their website or their blog, but the message of helping the homeless remains the same.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n2. Send That Letter<\/h2>\n
Were you surprised to see Direct Mail on the list of channels? Contrary to some declarations, direct mail isn\u2019t dead. It has a higher return rate than email<\/a>. There\u2019s a reason nonprofits have been sending appeals via the mail forever–it consistently works.<\/p>\n“There\u2019s a reason nonprofits have been sending appeals via the mail forever–it consistently works…”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\nTo get the most<\/a> out of your annual appeal letter, make sure it:<\/p>\n\n- Tells an engaging human story<\/li>\n
- Is easy to skim, with short paragraphs and lots of white space<\/li>\n
- Contains a clear call to action<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"World](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/World-Help-Envelope-1024x1024.jpg\")
World Help starts telling their story on their direct mailing envelopes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"World](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/World-Help-Letter-672x1024.jpg\")
World Help’s 2015 direct mail appeal: clear story, compelling numbers, lots of white space, a call to action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n3. Give Your Supporters Non-Monetary Ways to Give<\/h2>\n
Not everyone who believes in your cause will be able or willing to make a monetary gift this year. These people are still valuable supporters, so find ways to engage them.<\/p>\n
Offer:<\/p>\n
\n- Volunteer Opportunities<\/li>\n
- Opportunities to help by sharing your content and appeals<\/li>\n
- Opportunities to help by raising funds for you (CauseVox\u2019s personal fundraising pages<\/a> make it easy for supporters to reach out to their networks on your behalf)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Supporter](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Tamara-Drive-to-Ride-1024x516.png\")
Supporter Tamara reached out to her network to raise $1,000 for Agape Therapeutic Riding, using her CauseVox personal fundraising page. It\u2019s a powerful way to give.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThese non-monetary contributions build deep ties to your organization.<\/p>\n
4. Remember Non-Cash Donations<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s easy to focus on cash donations, but your annual campaign is a great time to include other ways of giving, like asset-based giving, planned giving, and in-kind donations of goods or services.<\/p>\n![\"World](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/world-help-planned-giving-1024x580.png\")
World Help<\/a> provides donors with a thorough overview of planned giving options.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAsset-Based Giving<\/h3>\n
There are a lot of things of value that the IRS does not consider cash, such as stocks, mutual funds, and property like real estate and cars. These things can be sold for cash, but don\u2019t fall under the same tax policies as plain old money. It may be advantageous to your donors to make this kind of gift.<\/p>\n
The nice thing about an asset-based gift is that it gives your organization the option of liquidating it for cash, or allowing it to appreciate, thus increasing the yield of the gift.<\/p>\n
Planned Giving<\/h3>\n
Okay, this kind of non-cash donation doesn\u2019t give you money right away, but it should still get a mention in your annual campaign. It is a plan for the future. Planned giving opportunities include:<\/p>\n
\n- bequests–writing your organization into a will, essentially<\/li>\n
- beneficiary selections–naming your organization as the beneficiary of a \u00a0life insurance policy or retirement plan<\/li>\n
- establishing trusts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In-Kind Donations<\/h3>\n
Your supporters may not have cash to support your mission, but they may have things you were going to spend money on. Things like a space to hold your meetings, or a handmade quilt for your raffle, or food for your holiday meals for the homeless.<\/p>\n
Maybe your supporters have professional skills they\u2019d like to donate, such as fixing your stairs, or painting a mural, or catering your gala. These donations allow you to stretch your dollars, and they also build deep connections to your organization.<\/p>\n
5. Tap Into The Power Of Community<\/h2>\n
A community working together is a powerful thing. At CauseVox, we advocate for a people-based fundraising strategy<\/a> because we believe that the power of your community holds more potential than anything else. More than grants, more than major gifts, your community is your most valuable asset.<\/p>\nPeer-to-peer<\/a> is a natural addition to anything you\u2019re doing online for your campaign. CauseVox fundraising websites have the option of adding personal fundraising pages<\/a> so your supporters can reach out to their networks on your behalf. These pages are very shareable, easy to link and use, and take all the headaches out of collecting money and communicating impact.<\/p>\n![\"CauseVox](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Personal-Fundraising-Page-example.png\")
CauseVox personal fundraising pages<\/a> make it easy to share a personal ask.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWe recommend incorporating a peer-to-peer strategy for annual campaigns in particular, because:<\/p>\n
Peer-to-Peer Cuts Through The Noise<\/h3>\n
A peer-to-peer strategy cuts through the noise at this time of year. People may tune out an organization\u2019s asks and appeals, but they don\u2019t tune out their friends and family. They can hear your message when it comes from someone they know and love.<\/p>\n
“A peer-to-peer strategy cuts through the noise at this time of year”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\nPeer-to-Peer Brings In New Supporters<\/h3>\n
Using a peer-to-peer strategy is also an effective way to gain new supporters. Rather than cold prospecting or hoping people find out about you, peer-to-peer fundraising puts you in contact with new people in a personal way. It\u2019s an efficient way to reach new donors, too. Your existing supporters do the legwork of connecting you with their networks<\/p>\n
Peer-to-Peer Builds Lasting Connections<\/h3>\n
It\u2019s important for your supporters to hear your story, but letting them tell it takes things to another level. When you engage your supporters in peer-to-peer fundraising, they become tellers of your story, fostering a deeper connection with your cause.<\/p>\n
A peer-to-peer strategy empowers your supporters to consider themselves a real part of things at your organization– which they are.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve Got This<\/h2>\n
An annual campaign is stressful and the pressure is high, but we believe in you. By using these best practices, telling your story loud and clear, and harnessing the power of your community, we believe you\u2019ll be set up to have a strong and engaging annual campaign. Don\u2019t set off for that desert island just yet.<\/p>\n
If You Liked This Post, You May Like:<\/h3>\n
7 Ways To Re-Engage Donors Acquired During Year-End<\/a><\/p>\n
At CauseVox<\/a>,\u00a0a fundraising platform for nonprofits,\u00a0we can\u2019t promise to remove all your stress and take away your to-do list, but we do want to make sure that you have great strategies for your annual campaign.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to think of a campaign in terms of dollars and cents, but what it\u2019s really about is telling stories. Storytelling<\/a> is what connects us as humans, and how we build communities. We believe stories can change the world\u00a0when you post them directly on your CauseVox fundraising campaign.<\/p>\n Your annual campaign should have one strong story that you tell everywhere. That story is what will inspire your donors.<\/p>\n Consider classic Hollywood stories<\/a> like:<\/p>\n Every story you tell should:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll want your essential message to be consistent<\/a> across all your channels, so that supporters get the story no matter where they encounter it, but the way you tell the story will change depending on the channel. This keeps your campaign fresh, even if your donors are encountering you in several places.<\/p>\n Each channel offers specific ways to tell your story:<\/p>\n By integrating your campaign, you ensure that no matter where supporters encounter it, they\u2019ll hear the same message.<\/p>\n Were you surprised to see Direct Mail on the list of channels? Contrary to some declarations, direct mail isn\u2019t dead. It has a higher return rate than email<\/a>. There\u2019s a reason nonprofits have been sending appeals via the mail forever–it consistently works.<\/p>\n To get the most<\/a> out of your annual appeal letter, make sure it:<\/p>\n Not everyone who believes in your cause will be able or willing to make a monetary gift this year. These people are still valuable supporters, so find ways to engage them.<\/p>\n Offer:<\/p>\n These non-monetary contributions build deep ties to your organization.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to focus on cash donations, but your annual campaign is a great time to include other ways of giving, like asset-based giving, planned giving, and in-kind donations of goods or services.<\/p>\n There are a lot of things of value that the IRS does not consider cash, such as stocks, mutual funds, and property like real estate and cars. These things can be sold for cash, but don\u2019t fall under the same tax policies as plain old money. It may be advantageous to your donors to make this kind of gift.<\/p>\n The nice thing about an asset-based gift is that it gives your organization the option of liquidating it for cash, or allowing it to appreciate, thus increasing the yield of the gift.<\/p>\n Okay, this kind of non-cash donation doesn\u2019t give you money right away, but it should still get a mention in your annual campaign. It is a plan for the future. Planned giving opportunities include:<\/p>\n Your supporters may not have cash to support your mission, but they may have things you were going to spend money on. Things like a space to hold your meetings, or a handmade quilt for your raffle, or food for your holiday meals for the homeless.<\/p>\n Maybe your supporters have professional skills they\u2019d like to donate, such as fixing your stairs, or painting a mural, or catering your gala. These donations allow you to stretch your dollars, and they also build deep connections to your organization.<\/p>\n A community working together is a powerful thing. At CauseVox, we advocate for a people-based fundraising strategy<\/a> because we believe that the power of your community holds more potential than anything else. More than grants, more than major gifts, your community is your most valuable asset.<\/p>\n Peer-to-peer<\/a> is a natural addition to anything you\u2019re doing online for your campaign. CauseVox fundraising websites have the option of adding personal fundraising pages<\/a> so your supporters can reach out to their networks on your behalf. These pages are very shareable, easy to link and use, and take all the headaches out of collecting money and communicating impact.<\/p>\n We recommend incorporating a peer-to-peer strategy for annual campaigns in particular, because:<\/p>\n A peer-to-peer strategy cuts through the noise at this time of year. People may tune out an organization\u2019s asks and appeals, but they don\u2019t tune out their friends and family. They can hear your message when it comes from someone they know and love.<\/p>\n Using a peer-to-peer strategy is also an effective way to gain new supporters. Rather than cold prospecting or hoping people find out about you, peer-to-peer fundraising puts you in contact with new people in a personal way. It\u2019s an efficient way to reach new donors, too. Your existing supporters do the legwork of connecting you with their networks<\/p>\n It\u2019s important for your supporters to hear your story, but letting them tell it takes things to another level. When you engage your supporters in peer-to-peer fundraising, they become tellers of your story, fostering a deeper connection with your cause.<\/p>\n A peer-to-peer strategy empowers your supporters to consider themselves a real part of things at your organization– which they are.<\/p>\n An annual campaign is stressful and the pressure is high, but we believe in you. By using these best practices, telling your story loud and clear, and harnessing the power of your community, we believe you\u2019ll be set up to have a strong and engaging annual campaign. Don\u2019t set off for that desert island just yet.<\/p>\n 7 Ways To Re-Engage Donors Acquired During Year-End<\/a><\/p>\n1. Integrate Your Campaign<\/h2>\n
“Your annual campaign should have one strong story that you tell everywhere…”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
2. Send That Letter<\/h2>\n
“There\u2019s a reason nonprofits have been sending appeals via the mail forever–it consistently works…”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
\n
3. Give Your Supporters Non-Monetary Ways to Give<\/h2>\n
\n
4. Remember Non-Cash Donations<\/h2>\n
Asset-Based Giving<\/h3>\n
Planned Giving<\/h3>\n
\n
In-Kind Donations<\/h3>\n
5. Tap Into The Power Of Community<\/h2>\n
Peer-to-Peer Cuts Through The Noise<\/h3>\n
“A peer-to-peer strategy cuts through the noise at this time of year”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
Peer-to-Peer Brings In New Supporters<\/h3>\n
Peer-to-Peer Builds Lasting Connections<\/h3>\n
You\u2019ve Got This<\/h2>\n
If You Liked This Post, You May Like:<\/h3>\n