Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing to raise money
• Make a plan
• Part 2 of 3: Brainstorming ideas
• Putting a plan into practice
• Part 3 of 3: Raising money effectively
• Tips

Knowing how to effectively raise money can make a world of difference, whether you want to support a good cause that deserves your heart or just help a family in the street. If you want to help a nonprofit you may run into some red tape at first, but once you get through that, you can focus on becoming the most successful fundraiser ever.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Preparing to raise money

Make a plan

1. Immerse yourself in the rules. There are all kinds of specific laws and regulations regarding the collection of money. You have to fill out several forms and you may also have to pay taxes. Before raising money for charity, you can search the Internet for information about this or get advice from a local nonprofit.
2. Get to know your target audience. It is very important to know your target audience if you want to raise money successfully. Try to get an idea of ​​the type of donors associated with certain charities. Then you know better how to collect the money.
   • Read the donor reports of charities you support. Look at the demographics. Is the public old, young, conservative or progressive? Based on this data, you can determine which way of raising money has the greatest chance of success.
   • If you're working with an older audience, you may have to resort to traditional ways of raising money. For example, an auction or selling cakes can work well. A younger audience may be more attracted to something as funny as a karaoke competition. Young people are more focused on the internet, so you can also choose to raise money online.
3. Research the best charities. Some charities work more effectively than others, and of course you want your money to be spent as well as possible. Search the internet for websites where charities are rated.
   • For example, there are charities that are said to be of no use to the community they say they support. You probably know the stories of top salaries of directors at certain charities, or money raised that is wrongly spent. Research and choose a cause that is not tainted by controversy.

   Support a cause that means something to you. Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization: "Start by thinking about what's important to you. Then find a cause that works to address that issue. Ask people you trust for recommendations."

   
   
4. Surround yourself with like-minded people. If you want to become a fundraiser, it is difficult to work all alone. Form a team of like-minded people who believe in the same goal. Work together to fundraise successfully.
   • Usually you can find groups of people in your area who are committed to various charities. See if you can find a relevant group of people, go to a meeting and see if anyone is interested in setting up a fundraiser.
   • Most churches like to do charity fundraising. If you attend church regularly, try to find help there.
   • You can advertise your fundraiser on Facebook or other websites so you can call on volunteers to help fundraise.

Part 2 of 3: Brainstorming ideas

1. Go for the classics. If you have a more traditional crowd, you can opt to go for the classics. Fundraising campaigns such as a flea market or bingo have been around for a long time for a reason. It works.
   • Organize a flea market. You can also ask people in your area to sell homemade items or cakes for a good cause. If you do this right before Christmas, the yield may be higher because people are looking for presents.
   • Throw a party. This is great if you want to raise money in your area, or if you want to let your friends contribute without pressuring them to make a donation.Throw a party with a clear message and inform the guests of the possibility to donate. Give a short presentation about the charity.
   • Organize a car wash day. Another classic way to raise money is a car wash day, which works especially well in the summer months.
   • Organize a charity dinner. If you're running a fundraiser for a larger organization, try hosting a dinner. You have to find a room and put together the menu, but you can then ask for money per dish, which can lead to a lot of donations.
   • Have a bingo. If you can collect some great prizes, you can also organize a bingo or raffle. First, check the rules for this, because it may be seen as gambling, and you need a license for that.
   • Consider wrapping gifts if you want to raise money around Sinterklaas or Christmas. You can ask people a small fee for charity to wrap their gift nicely.
   EXPERT TIP

   Network with others. If you want to run a major fundraiser, try partnering with local businesses. That can be a fun way to get people involved.

   • Ask local companies if they would like to make prices available. They often like to do this if you advertise their company when you announce the prices. You can also see if a local business wants to run the fundraiser and donate a portion of the profits to your cause.
   • Hold an auction. An auction can yield a lot of money, especially if you can pick up great prices from local companies. A silent auction is a great addition to another event, as guests can participate when there are no other activities.
   • Stand with a booth at an event. A market, fair, sporting event or other public gathering are great places to set up a booth to showcase your cause and get donations. You will need some materials for it, but you can use the stand over and over again if you want to raise money for something.
2. Start a crowdfunding campaign. In recent years you can start a crowdfunding campaign for just about any personal cause. There are all kinds of websites where you can start a campaign. Anyone who visits the website can donate the amount he / she wants. Many crowdfunding websites allow you to link the amount of the donations to various rewards.
   • For a successful crowdfunding campaign, you need a catchy or compelling description of your cause so that you stand out from the thousands of other campaigns. You will also have to advertise a lot on social media.
   • Since crowdfunding has not been around for very long, it may be best to use it if you are targeting a slightly younger audience.
3. Organize a competition. People always get enthusiastic when there is a game element. You can consider organizing some kind of competition, where the proceeds from the entrance tickets or the registration fee go to your charity.
   • Try a cooking or baking competition. Let people make the best dish so they can show their cooking skills. These types of events can be a lot of fun and often attract a large audience.
   • Set up some kind of sporting event. A sponsored run can be very popular. But a football or hockey tournament can also generate money in the form of paid admission tickets. You could also consider selling stuff after the game and donating the money you earn with it to your cause.
   • Consider a karaoke competition. Karaoke is great fun and often attracts a large crowd. Talk to a local cafe where karaoke can be done and ask if they would like to organize it with you.

Putting a plan into practice

1. Contact the organization for which you are collecting money. If you are raising money for a specific organization, please contact them in advance. Many organizations have specific rules when it comes to fundraising. They also have different ways in which donations can be made to the organization. Contact the communications department of the organization you want to work with and make sure you take their policies into account.
2. Advertise. Once you've come up with a campaign, you need to start advertising. Do it the right way and be effective.
   • The way you advertise depends on your audience. You have to reach an older audience with more traditional forms of advertising, such as flyers and newspaper advertisements. A younger audience usually makes plans through social media.
   • Send out invitations if you're hosting something like a dinner. A beautiful invitation attracts more people to your event. If you cannot afford invitations, you can think of an invitation by e-mail.
3. Consider opening a bank account for the fundraiser. Many banks will want to help you open an account for the donations. This is especially useful if you are raising money to help a family in the neighborhood, for example. Visit the bank and ask if they can open an account for the event.
4. Think about the logistics. One of the hardest things about a fundraiser is planning. Make sure you have the logistical plan of the event in order.
   • Give different people a task. It can help to divide tasks into categories and organize groups from there. One group may be responsible for raising the money, the other group for booking the space, and so on.
   • Double check all your information. Make sure you comply with all fundraising regulations. Of course you do not want to be fined afterwards while you have done your best.

Part 3 of 3: Raising money effectively

1. Build awareness on social media. A strong social media network is important if you want to raise money. Get featured on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels.
   • Ask a friend who is good at social media to help you if you are not very good at it yourself. A good Facebook fan page and a lot of reach on Twitter ensure that a lot of people receive your message.
   • Target the right people. It is not advisable to just blindly approach all your friends on Facebook. You don't want to bother people who don't live nearby or aren't interested in your cause. Only invite people who you know have the same views about things and who live close by so they can come to your event.
2. Describe what happens to the money. People are more likely to donate if they know where the money is going. Make sure you know exactly and be honest about it. If people know that they can give a vaccination to a child in Africa for € 5, for example, they will be more willing to donate money.
3. Keep a good record of everything. Since you may have to pay taxes on the money you collect, it is good to keep an accurate record of everything. Write down who donated, how much they gave, and where the money went.
4. Believe in your cause. It is important to be 100% behind your cause if you want others to give money. Make sure you know as much as you can about the goal to make sure it's worth stating.
   • If you know a lot about the cause, you can also be more passionate about it. Sending an email or letter asking for donations will make you sound more convincing. That can motivate other people to donate.
   • People like to give to goals that are worth it. It makes them feel positive about themselves and they feel involved in their society. The more you believe in the cause, the sooner others will help you.
5. Make it easy for people to make a donation. The easier passers-by can donate, the more money you will collect. Make it easy for potential donors to give. If you've set up a website to bring in donations, make it work easily. If you've opened an account with the bank, make sure it's clear how people can deposit money into it.
   • If you set a minimum amount to donate, people are more likely to feel like they can't afford it.
6. Thank all donors. Everyone who has donated should receive a message from you or your organization, thanking them for their contribution and describing again what will happen with the money. Make sure the donor feels good about the money he has given. Thanking someone for their contribution will also make it easier to get back to them in the future when you start another fundraiser.
   • With large donations, you are expected to write a thank you note within 48 hours.
   • In an in-person fundraiser, you thank the people immediately after they donate, and again when the entire fundraiser is closed.

Tips

• You can make your handwritten notes or use the computer.
• Write down all the addresses or email addresses of your donors so you can send them a thank-you note.