4 Essential Components for a Successful Online Fundraiser

TL;DR: To maximize the success of your online fundraising campaign, it's important to focus on key elements that resonate with your audience. Here, we'll discuss the crucial components you should include to make your fundraising campaign more impactful and increase your chances of reaching your goal. 

Want some extra help? Book a f.ree call with our fundraising coach, Jasmine, here, or send an email to our Customer Success Team Manager, Debbie at customercare@goaimly.com with any questions - we’re here for you!

1. Craft a Compelling Story (Tip: Start By Identifying The Fundraiser’s Beneficiaries!)

The heart of any fundraiser is the cause it's supporting. When you ask for donations, be clear about who or what will benefit, and how. People are more likely to contribute when they know their money is going to a meaningful cause. 

How will the funds raised make a difference?

Are there any interesting facts or personal stories that illustrate the impact the fundraiser could have on the beneficiaries?

What about the impact on the greater community?

Include details about this on your fundraising page via your event photo and description. These, in addition to posting about your fundraiser on social media, can create a stronger emotional connection with potential donors.

For example, a cheer team fundraising with Aimly might say, "Purchasing one variety pack for just $50 helps send the Austin High School cheer team to the national championship. Participating in this competition will increase our team’s chances of getting college scholarships, so anything you can give is greatly appreciated!" 

2. Set a Clear, Realistic Fundraising Goal

The core of any fundraising campaign is its goal. Be transparent about how much money you intend to raise and track your progress throughout the campaign via the fundraising goal progress bar. Showing the target and how close you are to achieving it can motivate people to donate more. 

While you could set a goal far beyond your needs, being as accurate and realistic as possible creates a more convincing reason for people to give. For instance, if you only need $100 to meet your goal, and you reach $90, someone might be more compelled to step in to close the gap than if you’d set your goal for $1,000,000.

3. Define the Campaign Timeline

A successful fundraising campaign has a clear timeline. People often procrastinate, so setting a deadline creates a sense of urgency. However, it's crucial to set a timeframe that balances urgency with feasibility.

Shorter campaigns create a sense of immediacy, leading to higher engagement and more concentrated promotional efforts. That said, raising 1,000 dollars in a day might be overly ambitious, but a weeklong fundraising window could be more attainable.

Additionally, to set yourself up to have a successful fundraiser, you’ll want to include some time before the event to get the word out and build excitement and anticipation for it. If you choose to run a weeklong fundraiser, we recommend you start promoting it 2-4 weeks in advance! This allows enough time for your community to rally behind your cause without lasting so long that the hype fizzles out before you actually start.

4. Include a Clear Call to Action EVERYWHERE

Online fundraising relies heavily on word-of-mouth and social media. Encourage donors to share your campaign link with their friends and family. Aimly makes this simple by providing a share button that includes a succinct, pre-written message along with your fundraiser link that supporters can share via text, email, social media, and more. 

To increase your campaign's reach, include a call to action in the description of your fundraising storefront page as well. For example, you could say, “You can support my cause by purchasing yummy Aimly Chips, making a chip donation, and/or sharing our event with your network!". This will help you attract new supporters and generate more funds.

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By focusing on these essential components, your online fundraising campaign is more likely to succeed. At Aimly, we specialize in online fundraising campaigns and can assist with everything from youth cheerleading fundraisers to broader crowdfunding initiatives. 

Contact our Customer Success Manager, Debbie, today at customercare@goaimly.com OR book a f.ree discovery call with our fundraising coach, Jasmine, to find out how we can support your fundraising goals!