Tips on Turning Tiny Campaigns Into Big Money

More and more, charities are adding microcampaigns to their fundraising strategies. A microcampaign is any program conducted by an individual, over a short period of time, targeting a relatively small fundraising goal. It sounds simple, but it can be quite effective.

As organizations realize the advantages peer-to-peer fundraising has over traditional charity-to-donor appeals, microcampaigns are beginning to form an integral part of the “isosceles donor triangle.” Considering the nuances of this type of fundraising, there are three key elements to making sure your microcampaign is as successful as it can possibly be.

Make it personal
Microfundraising has a major advantage over regular fundraising: Organizations begin their campaigns with existing relationships, to varying extents, with every donor. Whether or not they are passionate about contributing to a cause or an event, donors are likely to have at least a passing interest in contributing. Therefore, a microcampaign should begin and end with a story. Why do you care about this cause? What has been your experience with the organization you’re fundraising for? How has your participation in this organization or this campaign affected you? What are you going through to train for the race, compete in the dance-a-thon or participate in the protest? A microcampaign hinges on your relationships — you are the biggest draw for your donors at the outset, so make it personal.

Make it high-tech
Perhaps as important as what you say, is how you say it — not to mention where and when! The Internet can be your best asset when it comes to engaging your donors. Peer-to-peer fundraising tools streamline your donation and appeal process, and using any of the wide variety of social-media platforms can help make the appeal stronger, timelier or more accessible. You can expand the reach and portability of your campaign by using an application on Facebook, posting notes, inviting friends to attend your event and keeping them updated on your progress through status updates. For more detailed progress reporting, you can keep a blog and allow donors to subscribe via RSS feed. An indirect but important way that social media can help your campaign is by connecting you with other microfundraisers and cause leaders to share inspiration, motivation, tools and tips for meeting your goals.