If it were not for donations, no nonprofit could stay operational for long and this is precisely why there is always some campaign or other reaching you in the mail, on television, on the radio and through all the ways in which you interact on the Internet. Sometimes the appeals are broad in scope and other times they are targeted towards a specific need such as the recent round of appeals in the wake of Hurricane Matthew that swept a path of destruction through the Caribbean Islands and up the Eastern seaboard. If you are in charge of fundraising for a nonprofit organization, you might want to look at some key ways in which technology is helping other nonprofits expand their reach.
An Online Presence Is a Must
If you really want to expand your reach as a nonprofit organization, it is imperative that you have a website that tells who you are and what you do. Each project you undertake can have its own page and this is where you can photo journal progress you are making and tell stories of people and communities you’ve aided. Some charities post videos of their projects sequentially so that donors can step into the lives of those they are helping. Donors want to see where their money is going and words can only convey so much.
Understanding Your Donors
When it comes to technology, it is imperative to understand your audience. Some donors are active on social media and others rarely check Twitter or Facebook but will religiously scan their email several times a day. A weekly email update may be all that some donors require while others may want to engage with you on social media and comment on projects and events you are currently organizing.
For example, if you take part in Giving Tuesday Campaigns then you would document the progress of your campaign on your website but as funds come in and goals are reached you could send a short tweet or compose a quick post on Facebook. Whether you choose to update daily or weekly by email, some donors still want to be alerted as goals are reached or if you are falling short of the mark.
Peer to Peer Fundraising
Building excitement in your nonprofit is vital to your success. As excitement crescendos donors can be your best resource. Let them build a network of their own by bringing aboard friends and acquaintances of theirs, especially through their social media pages. These donors who share your message then become team leaders who build tiers and soon your message reaches places you may never have expected – and all this because of digital technology.
What you can derive from this is that the Internet has a million and one ways in which to reach people who are ready and able to help raise the funds you need. Some are able to volunteer their time and efforts to expand your outreach. Some you will never meet face to face and some you may, but with the connectivity of the Internet you can grow a network of donors larger than you ever dreamed possible.
