Fundraising is fuel for your mission—but people give to stories, not spreadsheets. Lead with why, show the impact per dollar, and make it insanely easy to participate (online + in person).
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Goal first: project, operations, or reserve?
Audience fit: families vs. corporate, local vs. national.
Timeline: 2–3 weeks is the sweet spot.
Resources: volunteers, venue, digital tools.
Pro tip: Pair a “quick win” (catalog or cookie dough) with a community event (auction, gala) for reach + revenue.
Cozy gifts, wraps, and treats timed for holiday shopping.
CTA: “Browse & support” link + order deadline.
Momentum: weekly “top sellers” post.
Garden kits, eco-friendly picks, teacher gifts.
CTA: “Refresh for spring” bundle.
Momentum: Mother’s Day countdown.
Irresistible, giftable, and family-approved.
CTA: “Choose your flavors” (online + paper).
Ops tip: Pre-packed-by-seller delivery = zero chaos.
Core classics + 1–2 gourmet flavors.
CTA: sampler packs; QR codes after events.
Momentum: flavor polls on social.
Mobile shop, clear shipping, social share buttons.
CTA: “Order in 60 seconds.”
Momentum: last-48-hours push.
Native donate tools + story-driven posts.
CTA: 15-sec video: “Here’s what your $25 does.”
Momentum: match hour (double donations).
Specific goal, crisp story, visual updates.
CTA: tiers with tangible impact ($35 = X).
Momentum: progress bar + daily shout-outs.
Short code on slides, flyers, livestreams.
CTA: “Text GIVE to ####” + $ impact note.
Momentum: stage ask at peak moment.
Local artists + unique experiences.
CTA: preview gallery; buy-now on hot items.
Momentum: reel teasers of top lots.
Short program, powerful story, paddle raise.
CTA: tables + sponsorship tiers.
Momentum: photo wall / live tally.
Supporters host micro-events (crafts, bake-offs).
CTA: turnkey kit: page link + promo graphics.
Momentum: feature a “host of the week.”
Livestream concerts, game nights, trivia.
CTA: ticket + donate + merch bundle.
Momentum: chat shout-outs and giveaways.
Set SMART goals: revenue, participation, avg. order.
Calendar: avoid holidays competing with your audience.
Team: define roles (captain, comms, logistics, finance).
Story framework: Problem → Solution → Your impact.
Data you must track: form starts/submits, avg. gift, items/order, % online, top referrers.
clear shifts, snacks, shout-outs.
same-day email + “here’s what your gift did.”
photo recap + metrics + re-up invite.
Participants run/walk anywhere and submit results.
Pick a date range (Fri–Sun), create a signup page, offer a digital bib + finisher badge, optional shirts/medals.
“Register + share your pledge page.”
Registrations, avg. pledge per participant, completion rate.
Offer team challenges (department vs. department) and a live Zoom kickoff.
Mix in-room excitement with online bidding.
Source 20–40 items + 3–5 experiences; photograph and write punchy descriptions with FMV.
“Preview lots + set max bid.”
# bidders, sell-through rate, avg. bid vs. FMV.
Add “Buy-Now” for premium items and a 15-minute soft close to fuel last-second bids.
Supporters fundraise via personal pages.
Provide plug-and-play page templates, story blocks, and 5 social captions. Recruit 10–15 captains first.
“Join a team or start yours.”
# active fundraisers, avg. raised per page, shares.
Mid-campaign “match hour” doubles gifts and spikes momentum.
Steps, push-ups, read-minutes—track progress weekly.
Define 3–4 weekly challenges; publish scorecards; set simple prizes.
“Pledge $X per unit or give a flat gift.”
Participation rate, total units completed, avg. pledge.
Livestream weekly check-ins and announce winners.
Recurring gifts with a name/perk (e.g., Impact Circle).
Create 3 tiers ($10/$25/$50) with tangible impacts.
“Join with $/month—cancel anytime.”
# new monthlies, churn <5%/mo, ARPM (avg. recurring per month).
Send a short “first 30 days” impact video to new members.
Sell items supporters actually want.
Cookie dough, popcorn, seasonal catalogs.
Launch online store + paper forms, prize ladder, and a 2–3 week window.
“Shop now—orders ship fast.”
Avg. order value, items per order, % online sales.
Free materials, pre-packed-by-seller delivery, up to 50% profit, fast shipping.
Double eligible employee donations.
Add an employer-search tool on the donate confirmation page + a 3-email follow-up sequence.
“Check if your gift can be doubled.”
Match submissions, match revenue, completion time.
Time a “Matching Monday” push after paydays.
Limited tickets for a premium prize.
Confirm local raffle rules, set odds (e.g., 1,000 tickets), price tiers, and draw date.
“Get your ticket—limited supply.”
Tickets sold %, revenue per ticket, list growth.
Offer a bonus entry for sharing (where allowed).
Co-promos with local businesses.
Pitch 5–10 partners; offer social shout-outs + event signage for a revenue share or gift-in-kind.
“Dine/shop on [date]—% back to our mission.”
# partners, revenue per partner, new donor emails.
Bundle multiple small partners into a “Neighborhood Week.”
Short, high-impact evening with paddle raise.
90-minute program: welcome → mission video → paddle raise → dessert.
“Reserve a table or sponsor a level.”
Net revenue, paddle-raise conversion, sponsor renewal.
Keep speeches under 5 minutes; put the main ask at the emotional peak.
Online gallery with timed sale.
Curate 20–30 pieces, build a simple gallery, set a 72-hour purchase window.
“Browse art—every purchase funds our work.”
Unique visitors, conversion rate, avg. order.
Livestream a curator walk-through on opening night.
Short code + keyword for instant gifts.
Secure code/keyword, add to every slide, poster, email signature, and livestream.
“Text GIVE to #### to donate in 10 seconds.”
# texts initiated, completion rate, avg. gift.
Use at event peak moments; read donor first names (with consent).
Visible, local impact (mural, garden, playground).
Secure site and permits; sell sponsorship tiles/bricks; schedule a “build day.”
“Sponsor a brick/plant—leave your mark.”
Sponsors secured, volunteer hours, press mentions.
Add a dedication ceremony with donor plaques.
Tiered benefits for businesses.
Build a 1-page prospectus (audience, benefits, impact); create Bronze/Silver/Gold levels.
“Choose a level; we’ll customize benefits.”
# sponsors, avg. sponsorship value, renewal rate.
Offer employee volunteer days as a perk.
Bequests, beneficiary designations, DAF legacies.
Publish a simple interest form + downloadable bequest language; add a “Legacy Circle” page.
“Tell us if you’ve included us—thank you!”
Leads, documented intentions, stewardship touches.
Feature a short story from a legacy donor (with permission).
Donations via app with push alerts.
Enable Apple/Google Pay, save cards, and receipts; segment notifications.
“Give in seconds—no forms.”
% mobile gifts, push open rate, completion time.
Send “match hour” push during lunch or evening.
Limited-run apparel/accessories.
On-demand printing (no inventory), 2–3 designs, 10-day drop window.
“Grab the limited drop before it’s gone.”
Units sold, margin per unit, repeat buyers.
Tie each design to a specific program impact.
Gifts made via DAF providers.
Add a DAF widget/button and instructions (legal name, EIN, address).
“Recommend a grant from your DAF today.”
DAF inquiries, grants received, processing time.
Remind donors in Nov–Dec when DAF activity peaks.
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