Nonprofit Best Practices - Snowball Fundraising

Top 25 Charity Auction Websites For Better Fundraising

Snowball Fundraising — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:02:02 +0000

As a nonprofit leader, you know the right fundraising ideas can drastically increase your organization’s funds. Charity auctions have the power to do just that with a 50 to 65% average rate of return on auction items.

96% of nonprofits held at least one online fundraiser in 2023, and your auction fundraiser could follow suit if you leverage the right tools. Charity auction websites are a must-have for planning and executing such events. There’s nothing a top online charity auction site can’t handle, from event registration forms and ticketing to auction item payment processing.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about charity auction websites, including:

What are online charity auctions?
Why are charity auction sites important?
How to choose the best charity auction website
Top 25 charity auction websites for nonprofits

As we discuss these top providers, note the benefits and drawbacks of each. That way, you’ll be able to find a solution that makes sense for your organization’s upcoming charity auction and equips your team with the tools they’ll need to succeed.

But before we dive in, let’s answer a few simple questions to guide your research.

Looking for the best-in-class auction features?

What are online charity auctions?

Online charity auctions are fundraising auctions that list all of the items on a website or app and allow participants to bid virtually or from their mobile devices. Nonprofits can host both silent auctions and live auctions online.

Charity auction websites are the tools that facilitate these events. They offer features such as:

Auction item catalog builders
Online and mobile bidding functionality
Real-time notifications for participants
Streamlined checkout tools

With the increasing popularity of online giving, virtual charity auctions are a prime solution for raising more. In fact, 24% of donors give through online auctions, meaning your nonprofit urgently needs the right tools to take this fundraiser online.

Why are charity auction sites important?

Your nonprofit needs to leverage online fundraising, but why are charity auction websites crucial for this approach? These tools can:

Simplify fundraising
Help you plan and execute the event
Keep supporters engaged

Plus, charity auction sites can help you prepare for future events by collecting data based on your fundraiser’s performance. After tracking your auction’s key performance metrics (KPIs), you can adjust your approach next time to raise more. For example, you might track attendance and bidding activity to identify ways to grow your next auction.

How to choose the best charity auction website

To choose the best charity auction website for your nonprofit, follow these simple steps:

Determine your goals: Establish your goals for leveraging a charity auction website, including the features you’ll need to streamline planning and the tools that will serve your unique audience.

Set a budget: How much can your nonprofit spend on a charity auction website? Keep in mind that an all-in-one platform can serve your online auction needs and streamline your other fundraisers. Instead of investing in numerous tools with varying capabilities, invest in one platform that can handle everything.

Consider features: Make a list of the features you’re looking for in your charity auction software. For example, do you need a solution that offers text-to-bid? What do you consider to be non-negotiable, must-have features?

Research providers: Look for charity auction websites that check all of your boxes. This is where our list comes in! We’ve done the research for you by rounding up the 25 best charity auction sites.

Before committing to a provider, get a demo or consultation to test out the software for yourself. Now that you know what to look for, check out our charity auction website recommendations below!

Top 25 charity auction websites for nonprofits

Although the “best” of anything is subjective, the best online auction site will be the one that provides the highest level of functionality for the lowest price. That way, you can raise more for your cause while spending less of your fundraising budget. Let’s analyze the features and pricing packages offered by some of the top auction sites in the industry to help you find the right fit.

1. Snowball

Snowball is known for its powerful suite of free and low-cost fundraising software, and its package has recently expanded to include complete charity auction website functionality. With our silent auction toolkit in hand, your team can pull off successful fundraising events without having to worry about whether you’ll earn back the price of your software.

Snowball’s auction tools include several standout features to help your team raise funds and engage your audience. Here are a few of our favorites and how they compare to other providers:

Online and mobile (text-to-bid) functionality: With Snowball, your nonprofit can maximize its fundraising potential by leveraging additional features like text-to-bid. Not all charity auction website providers offer text-to-bid, much less the streamlined ability for bidders to participate using their phones.

Real-time notifications when a guest wins or is outbid: Ready to spice up the competition? Snowball provides real-time notifications when a guest wins or is outbid to make your online charity auctions more exciting and encourage participants to keep bidding!

Ability to add photos and descriptions of an unlimited number of items to an online catalog: While some charity auction websites offer item catalogs, no platform is as flexible as Snowball. Our item catalogs can be categorized to better organize your auction items, and you can even bulk import items for your team’s convenience!

Compilation and easy-to-read reports of fundraising data: Every nonprofit leader knows that data can guide your fundraising success, which is why Snowball compiles easy-to-read reports of your auction’s data!

Streamlined checkout and payment processing tools: Allow bidders to pay for their items easily and securely with Snowball’s streamlined checkout tools. They’ll automatically be notified if they won (and prompted to donate if they didn’t), and will receive instant receipts for their purchases or donations.

In addition to these auction-specific functions, investing in a Snowball plan unlocks other powerful features such as text-to-give, online donation pages, fundraising thermometers, event ticketing, and registration.

Snowball offers its charity auction website functionality as an affordable add-on package to any Snowball account, including both the Essential and the Premium plans. Even better, we won’t charge you additional platform fees, penalties, or hidden charges.

Connect with the Snowball team today for a detailed quote.

2. Handbid

Handbid is a dedicated auction and event software platform for mid-sized to large organizations. With various packages, Handbid accommodates various organizations and their needs.

For example, each year-long subscription plan comes with a certain number of online charity auctions it can support. This means you can choose the plan that most closely resembles your event calendar and pay for additional upgrades if needed.

Handbid’s auction packages include the following features:

Live video streaming tools
App and web-based bidding
A remote auction management system

Handbid offers several auction plans with pricing beginning at $792/year, with additional packages going up to more than $2,496/year.

3. OneCause

OneCause offers a high-quality charity auction website with mobile bidding and auction software to simplify your fundraising event. From item procurement to emailed donor receipts, their online charity auction site can help your organization manage almost every aspect of your online charity auction.

The OneCause platform allows you to:

Send notifications to donors
View previous receipts
Track your donations

OneCause offers four different auction packages, ranging from a “Do-it-Yourself” package to a “Full Service” plan. Prices vary depending on the level of functionality you’re looking for.

4. Qgiv

Qgiv provides a robust toolkit for online charity auctions, including a silent auction website, mobile bidding app, and event management software.

Qgiv’s online auction platform provides the following features:

Real-time bidding
Guest registration
Simplified checkout

Qgiv’s auction package begins at $259/month, or you can bundle it with their other packages. Other packages can include data reporting, mobile giving, and peer-to-peer fundraising.

5. CharityBids

CharityBids’ charity auction site will help your team optimize its strategy by understanding your target audience and acquiring the right software package to drive bids. Their concierge team works with your auction winners after your event to schedule their auction trip packages at their convenience!

CharityBids’ charity auction website allows you to:

Consult with fundraising experts during the planning process
Select from their extensive auction packages
Utilize their full-service travel concierges

CharityBids provides nonprofits with risk-free auction consignment packages, meaning that they don’t take a cut until after you’ve collected your revenue. At that point, they take a percentage of the item price as payment.

6. ClickBid

ClickBid’s easy-to-use charity auction website specializes in mobile bidding at silent auctions. This tool allows donors to compete in online charity auctions entirely using their mobile devices, offering capabilities such as:

Mass messaging
Event QR codes
Custom event landing pages

Plus, a subscription allows nonprofits to collect year-long donations, meaning the fundraising doesn’t stop after your auction concludes!

ClickBid’s annual event license, which offers access to their mobile bidding software, starts at $795.

7. Givergy

Givergy’s mobile-friendly auction platform allows donors to browse your catalog, place bids easily, and promote your auction on social media. Their auction software is all about making bidding easier for your donors with remote and mobile bidding.

Givergy’s online auction site offers the following features:

Auction item procurement
Ticketing and event check-in
Sealed bidding functionality

This charity auction site’s design is fully customizable, allowing your nonprofit to add all of its key branding elements. You can also keep the page as a standalone event or tack it onto a more extensive campaign!

Givergy offers multiple packages and collects 15% of the total revenue collected through your charity auctions, which includes transaction fees.

8. Benefit Events

Benefit Events originated as an art auction service for nonprofits. They’ve since kept their creative vision while broadening their solutions to include online auctions for a spectrum of nonprofits. Their team helps your organization promote and market your event to improve your fundraising efforts.

Benefit Events provides the following key features:

Custom winning bidder notifications
Direct donor data entry
Secure payment processing through Stripe

Benefit Events’ pricing depends on the amount of revenue brought in through your online charity auction.

9. WeDo Charity Auctions

WeDo Charity Auctions takes your online charity auction to the next level with the ability to host pre-bidding before your event and create and manage guest lists. Plus, they offer real-time reporting so you can stay up-to-date with bidding throughout your event.

WeDo Charity Auctions provides the following features:

Convenient in-event messaging
In-person or live-streamed mobile bidding
Streamlined check-in and checkout

WeDo Charity Auctions’ pricing depends on the functions you’ll need for your event, beginning at $1,800.

10. SchoolAuction

SchoolAuction’s cloud-based silent auction site simplifies the planning and hosting of your online charity auction. Their software allows you to set table arrangements, log items into your catalog, and check up on bids from your laptop, phone, or tablet.

Additionally, SchoolAuction lets you mix paper auctions with mobile bidding so your event can cater to each bidder! SchoolAuction provides the following features:

Customizable auction website creation
Online and mobile bidding
Speedy self-checkout process

SchoolAuction offers multiple subscription packages. Their Plus option costs $1,500/year and the Professional is $3,000/year.

11. MaestroAuction

Text2Bid by MaestroAuction, a dedicated charity auction site, gives your organization the tools needed to plan and execute your online charity auction. With this tool, your organization can track and document every procured item by adding descriptions, restrictions, and monetary values.

MaestroAuction’s charity auction site includes the following features:

Virtual auction management functionality
Live and virtual auctioneers
Auction item procurement resources

MaestroAuction pricing depends on the length of the subscription you’re seeking. Contact their team for a more detailed price estimate.

12. Qtego

Qtego markets itself as “America’s #1 mobile bidding platform,” offering easy-to-manage events, resulting in satisfied guests and increased donations. Their intuitive interface simplifies your event’s key aspects such as registration, event management, and the checkout process.

Qtego’s charity auction site includes these key features:

Text-to-bid solutions
In-person, virtual, and hybrid event management
Live-streamed video tools

Upgrade your auction from paper bid sheets to a streamlined online experience with Qtego’s software solutions.

Qtego offers a variety of features at different price ranges. Contact their team to learn more about their pricing packages and get a quote.

13. GoCharity

GoCharity, while not strictly a charity auction website, provides effortless, hassle-free options for auction items. With over 40 years in the auction industry, GoCharity’s team will provide support throughout your entire event to ensure your online charity auction runs smoothly.

GoCharity provides the following auction website features:

Front-door delivery services
A comprehensive catalog of auction items
On- and off-site auction management

GoCharity has three different auction plans, each with its own fees—off-site involvement, on-site auction management, and on-site mobile bidding management.

14. 32auctions

32auctions’ user-friendly interface lets nonprofits set up their auction websites, then sit back and relax. But it’s their customizable packages that make it stand out. From a free base kit to a complete works set and everything in between, your nonprofit can choose the exact features it wants.

32auctions offers features such as:

Consolidated sales summary review
Custom auction link creation
Support for exact bids, proxy bids, and Buy Now purchases

32auctions’ base price is free, and all feature upgrades are priced individually. Use 32auction’s price calculator to create a package that fits your budget.

15. GalaBid

GalaBid’s free fundraising software can flexibly manage both online-only and live events, giving your nonprofit more ways to fundraise. With their pre-event bidding tools, instant payment systems, and mobile bidding features, your guests will also have increased control over how and when they bid.

Galabid’s silent auction software comes equipped with:

Leaderboard displays
Custom design tools
Mobile alerts and invoices

If GalaBid’s silent auction platform works for you, they also offer support for raffles and donation drives!

GalaBid is free. In exchange for their services, they ask all fundraisers to make a one-time donation to keep their platform available to support great causes.

16. Bidding Owl

Bidding Owl’s auction management software allows nonprofits to build their charity auction websites within minutes to hit the ground running promoting their event. Bidding Owl’s fully customizable websites empower nonprofits to brand and edit their event pages however they want.

Bidding Owl comes with a variety of features, including:

Online bidder check-out
Volunteer management tools
Rotary, radio, and TV auction interface

When you host an auction or use the mobile bidding tool, Bidding Owl charges a 5% performance fee, taking 5% of the winning bid on each item sold.

17. BiddingforGood

BiddingForGood by FontStream lets nonprofits present their auction items to a vast community of bidders on BiddingForGood’s website. There, your items will be organized into categories such as dining, travel, designer, and more, allowing visitors to search for items they actually want and then make a bid.

This doesn’t mean your nonprofit won’t have control over your online charity auction. While items are displayed on BiddingForGood, you’ll still be able to manage and track your event from beginning to end.

BiddingForGood’s unique platform allows nonprofits to:

Have their auction items viewed by a wide audience
Set up their event in under half an hour
Keep information centralized

BiddingForGood is accessible through three FrontStream plans: a free yearly subscription, a $600/year plan, and a custom option for enterprise organizations.

18. Silent Auction Pro

Silent Auction Pro aims to save your nonprofit time by simplifying your auction management process. Along with automatically generating supporting materials such as program guides, bidding sheets, and invoices, Silent Auction Pro allows your entire team to sign in to your auction software from any computer.

Silent Auction Pro includes key features such as:

Real-time data tracking
Streamlined check-in features
Customizable print and email correspondence capabilities

With Silent Auction Pro’s tracking tools and thank-you email templates, nonprofits using this platform will be supported from start to follow-up.

Silent Auction Pro has two packages for virtual fundraising solutions, starting at $749/year. Two in-person event solutions are also available, starting at $449/year and 2% of auction sales.

19. Charity Auctions Today

Charity Auctions Today allows nonprofits to build their own charity auction website by answering a few simple questions about their event. Their software’s assistive tutorial then guides nonprofits through adding items in bulk, populating your website within minutes.

In addition to its mobile-friendly features, Charity Auctions Today offers:

Donor management tools
Event ticket sales
Expedited check-out process

Charity Auctions Today also has extensive support features, so your nonprofit can reach out for help if you ever find yourself stuck setting up your charity auction website.

Charity Auctions Today charges a 5% fee for completed auctions and offers a prepaid plan for $297 with a reduced 3% fee. You can also get in touch with them to get a quote for a custom plan.

20. Accelevents

Accelevent’s simple, easy-to-use interface allows nonprofits to set up their auction websites quickly, so they can focus on fundraising. This is where Accelevent’s custom messaging features come in, allowing your team to promote your online charity auction through customizable emails.

Accelevent comes with important auction features, including:

Instant analytic reports
Seamless checkout with multiple payment options
Mobile and online bidding

Accelevent also features extensive ticketing, registration, and other virtual event tools that your team can add to your package.

Accelevent has separate prices for its fundraising, ticketing, and virtual event packages. Auctions are priced at $1 per ticket with a $249 activation fee.

21. ReadySetAuction

ReadySetAuction is a flexible provider that works for all nonprofits, from schools to humanitarian organizations to workplace giving campaigns. This cloud-based software also supports any kind of auction you could want, including silent, live, mobile, and online.

ReadySetAuction comes equipped with:

Guest and event management tools
Website customization capabilities
Item showcase and sponsor leaderboard slideshow creation

When your event is done, ReadySetAuction also gives your winning bidders multiple payment options—all of which can be accessed from their phones!

ReadySetAuction’s Essentials plan starts at $1,099/year and allows you to manage auction prep, cashiering, and data collection all in one place.

22. Auctria

Auctria allows you to track every part of your online charity auction in extensive detail. Additionally, Auctria helps nonprofits build their professional charity auction websites for their events, creating a dedicated space for bidders and donors to connect with your event while also lending your auction credibility.

Auctria’s features include must-haves such as:

Item procurement tracking
Detailed dashboard overview
Mobile-friendly bidding catalog

Auctria comes in three tiers: its free Explorer plan, its $300/year Emerald plan, and its $600/year Diamond plan.

23. CausePilot

CausePilot supports auctions of all sizes with its virtual fundraising suite. CausePilot lets your nonprofit create your auction your way by choosing which items are available for online bidding and which are saved for your in-person event while seamlessly managing both!

CausePilot comes with crucial features such as:

Item procurement tracking
Volunteer sign-up and management tools
Customizable text and email communication

Prices for CausePilot’s virtual fundraising tools vary based on your nonprofit. Some organizations can even use CausePilot for free! Check out their plans and price calculator to find a price point that matches your nonprofit.

24. DoJiggy

DoJiggy’s auction software gives your nonprofit options. Connect with your supporters during your event with text and live-streaming tools while automatically sending notifications and receipts. Plus, DoJiggy offers two ways to bid: proxy bidding and increment bidding.

DoJiggy comes equipped with:

Unlimited auction item listings
Text-to-bid functionality
Live-streaming options

DoJiggy can also help your item procurement team get started with an assortment of charity vacation packages. Your organization can purchase DoJiggy’s auction software in exchange for 4.9% of each credit card transaction.

25. GiveSmart

GiveSmart’s silent auction program is an industry leader for a few key reasons. Their comprehensive toolkit allows your nonprofit to handle every aspect of your virtual events, all in one place. GiveSmart also integrates with many other software providers, meaning it’s ready to grow with your nonprofit.

GiveSmart’s auction service includes:

Mobile bidding
Real-time insights
Item catalog

In addition, GiveSmart offers hybrid and virtual fundraising tools, peer-to-peer support, and event management software to help your charity auction run smoothly.

Additional Resources for Charity Auction Sites

Now that you have the inside scoop on some of the most popular charity auction websites, you can choose a solution that will lead your nonprofit to success. Remember that, while you focus your event on raising money, you should also focus on the donor experience. Choose a software solution that doesn’t just make things easy on the backend but creates a fun and memorable auction experience for your participants.

If you’re interested in learning ways to improve your fundraising results, check out these additional resources:

Virtual Auctions: How to Plan A Fruitful Event in 5 Steps. Virtual auctions bring a favorite charity event to the digital realm. This guide walks you through the main steps for pulling off a successful event.
Mobile Donations Made Easy: The Ultimate Text-to-Give Guide. Looking for more information on mobile fundraising? Check out our complete guide on text-to-give tools.
How to Master Mobile Giving: An Actionable Nonprofit Guide. Mobile giving is a crucial tool for fundraising in the nonprofit space. Our guide explains best practices for implementing mobile giving and why it’s necessary.

Ready to take your charity auctions to the next level?

Look no further than Snowball!

The post Top 25 Charity Auction Websites For Better Fundraising first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

Auction Items | 101 Best Ideas [& Tips for Procuring Them]

Snowball Fundraising — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:17:06 +0000

One of the most important—and arguably, most complicated—parts of planning any charity auction is the item procurement process. Because your team will collect most of your fundraising revenue in the form of bids on auction items, you must invest enough time and effort to collect high-demand, valuable items before the big day.

Here at Snowball, we work with nonprofits, schools, and faith-based organizations of all shapes and sizes to raise more funds in the most effective ways possible. That said, we know a thing or two about auction items that sell!

Whether you’ve planned and hosted several charity auctions in the past or you’re currently prepping for your first, we’ve put together this handy list to speed up the process. Here, we’ll cover the following:

Auction Items: Frequently Asked Questions
Our Favorite Auction Items That Drive Bids
Top Tips for Procuring High-Demand Auction Items

Ready to jump in? Let’s get started!

Auction Items: Frequently Asked Questions

What items sell best at live auctions?

Live auctions are highly interactive events that include an auctioneer announcing bid amounts as people shout out their offers. Items that work well at these events can range from experiences, gift cards, and memorabilia, to specialty accessories for the home.

When choosing items for your live auction consider, what prizes would your audience want to bid competitively over? For example, if your organization consists of community-oriented parents, consider partnering with a local family eatery for gift cards to feed the whole family. Alternatively, if your attendees tend to be older, perhaps they’d enjoy fine jewelry or memorabilia.

What items sell best at silent auctions?

Silent auctions are events where bidders submit their amounts in paper or digital form, versus shouting them out to the auctioneer.

When choosing silent auction items, also knowing your constituents is crucial in the decision process. Organizations that have historically hosted auctions can refer to their previous experience in what was successful in bringing in tons of bids.

If this is one of your first auctions, consider sending a pre-auction survey or sticking to known highly coveted silent auction items such as:

Autographed memorabilia
Gift cards or baskets related to your local area
Lottery ticket boards

When you have a variety of exciting items, you’re able to attract numerous bids and get your attendees excited to participate.

How do you ask for auction items?

Once you’ve determined what kinds of prizes will pique your participants’ interest, your team must gather these items from willing establishments. Here are a few best practices to consider:

Set up a group of volunteers to research and solicit in-kind donations. This method is a great way to have a wide network of possible connections to businesses that could be willing to contribute to your auction items. The more people you enlist to help, the higher the chances of securing some valuable things.
Provide talking points for your item procurement team. Give your volunteers the tools they need to make a polite, effective ask. Make sure they understand and can communicate your auction details and your organization’s mission well. When businesses interact with passionate volunteers, they may be more inclined to give. If you’re searching for the right words to include in your ask, check out this resource outlining an excellent donation request letter.
Assign specific tasks to your team. Give subsections of volunteers specific goals to accomplish when asking for donations. You don’t want to end up with only gift cards or memorabilia when you need a full array of options! This will ensure a variety of items for your auction and no repeat visits to the same business.
Be gracious to your donors. Be sure to recognize and show your appreciation for businesses that have given valuable items to your auction. Send a thank-you note and include their name in your program or your auction website. Thanking them will also build a relationship between you and the donor and can lead to future contributions.

When you take tactful preliminary steps, your team will secure valuable auction items from local establishments and constituents.

How many items are in a successful auction?

When it comes to choosing gifts for participants to compete for, less is more. Choose a few valuable auction items to create excitement surrounding your auction. When choosing the number of gifts you want to include, pay attention to your event’s size. Don’t include too few items or too many. After a few auctions, you’ll have a better idea of a happy medium for how many you should include. Your auction is a competition for items, after all!

Should you put a value on auction items?

A lot of factors go into pricing your items, making it a challenging task. Here are a few considerations for how to go about this task:

Know your donors’ capabilities. Based on your donor data of previous gifts and involvement, you’ll determine how much your audience is willing to pay for an item. If your items are too expensive, you’ll lose out on bidders. Your auction always comes down to what your donors are willing and able to pay.
Determine the fair market value (FMV) of your items. Determine the fair market value (FMV) of your items. The FMV is determined by the value of existing similar products. A physical product or actual service has a set average value. For example, a massage that is offered for $20 has an FMV of $20. When you auction off intangible items or exclusive experiences, the price is a bit more ambiguous. With some research of both the prize as well as an educated guess of your participant’s financial capabilities, you’ll be able to settle on a value.
Don’t hesitate to ask around. Determining price can be hard. If your team is struggling to come up with a value, reach out to top donors. They’ll have a good idea of what they’d be willing to contribute, and involving them in the planning process helps promote your auction.
Set a tactful starting bid amount. Define a happy medium price for your items. Make all choices based on the value of your items. This includes the FMV, your donors’ financial capability, and your past auction experiences. Keep in mind that if your starting bid is too low, you’ll miss out on earning more proceeds. If priced too high, you may lose the interest of participants. Tip: it’s recommended to set minimum bids at 40-50% of the FMV. For example, if looking for a starting bid for the aforementioned massage with an FMV of $20, it would be best to set it around $8-10.

With these strategies in mind, your items will be priced in a way that encourages competition without being too exclusive.

Once you have secured your items, be sure to prioritize inputting your listings into your auction software. Posting them on time will give participants ample time to browse through their selections and choose which they want to bid on.

Are you ready to plan your best auction yet?

Our Favorite Auction Items That Drive Bids

The best types of auction items are those that your supporters will be willing to spend a good amount of money on, whether it’s a physical gift or a memorable experience. In other words, items should be worth significantly more to your supporters than their typical retail value. After all, that is how you turn a profit from your event!

Here, we’ve divided our favorite auction items by category (such as type of auction or type of organization). However, it’s important to note that if a particular item catches your eye, it can very well be used for whichever type of auction you’re hosting.

Live auction items

Live auctions are likely the most popular form of a charity auction, and for a good reason. These high-energy, interactive events are among the most effective ways to truly engage with your donors while simultaneously raising a ton of money for your cause. Let’s walk through a few of our favorite items for live charity auctions:

Travel package

This is one of the most popular choices for auctions of all shapes and sizes. That’s because many individuals are willing to shell out thousands of dollars for a fantastic vacation. Still, you can usually obtain these packages for much less by forming partnerships with businesses working with a consignment service. Be sure to include plane tickets, hotel gift certificates, and a fun adventure to partake in at the destination. If social distancing guidelines and travel restrictions are in place, be sure to offer a package that offers flexible scheduling options.

Live artwork

Bidding on artwork at a charity auction is very common. This idea, however, brings the experience a few notches further! Invite a well-known and talented artist to create a unique piece of art at your event while guests watch in real-time. Not only will the winner receive a beautiful piece of artwork, but it’s also a powerful memento of an extraordinary night.

Pamper basket

Everyone deserves a relaxing night in. Encourage your event attendees to spoil themselves by bidding on your pamper basket. A basket like this might include moisturizing face masks, bath bombs, fancy soaps and body washes, and candles. In other words, everything you might need to host a fancy spa day in the comfort of your own home! Be sure to contact your local spas and beauty retailers to solicit donations in the form of relevant products.

Signed memorabilia

For this popular auction item idea, a few top considerations include sports gear (like a ball or jersey) signed by a famous athlete or music equipment (like a guitar or record) signed by a world-renowned singer or band. The more famous the individual signing the memorabilia, the more your dedicated supporters will be willing to pay!

A personal chef for an evening

Sometimes you just want to sit back and relax while someone else does the cooking for you. Because your supporters likely don’t have their own personal chefs on staff, you can auction off that exclusive experience for a night. This way, the winner (and their family and/or friends) can get a taste of luxury while also supporting a mission they care about.

Lottery ticket basket

A lottery basket is a great idea for an auction item and one that can be put together without investing a ton of money on your part. Be sure to include a range of tickets, with a few pricier ones supplemented by several single-dollar tickets. Guests will be intrigued by the sense of mystery to see how much they’ll collect! Plus, it gives the recipient the chance to win over and over again, even after placing the winning bid on your basket.

Homemade baked goods

Everyone knows that goodies that are baked with love taste better than their store-bought counterparts. That, plus knowing that proceeds go toward a good cause, is what makes supporters willing to pay big bucks for homemade baked goods. Perhaps you even have some aspiring pastry chefs in your midst who are looking for an opportunity to show off their skills. You can encourage team members to make their best and prettiest cakes and pies to auction off at your charity event!

Season sports tickets

By partnering with your local professional sports teams, you can likely receive season tickets at a discounted rate to then auction off to the highest bidder. For even more fun, see if you can access some VIP seats at the stadium and provide coupons or gift certificates for concessions. After all, what’s a baseball game without a hot dog?

Wine package

This is an intriguing auction item for guests looking to expand their tastes in wine by testing out various choices! Be sure to collect many different types of wine and include a brief description of each. You might even ask each member of your fundraising team to share their personal preference of wine to include a range of team favorites.

Private plane flight

Most of us don’t have our own private jets as a means of transportation, but many are curious to give it a try! Auctioning off exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime type experiences like this is a great way to raise money for your cause, especially if you know someone (or know someone who knows someone) with a private plane to donate for an evening.

Romantic gondola ride

Looking for a prize that offers a unique and exciting date night? If your area is capable, look into gondola tours to offer as an item. If your area doesn’t offer this option, you can look into plane tickets and accommodations for an area that does. This unforgettable experience brings the experience of being in Italy to your highest bidder.

Whitewater rafting excursion

For areas with ample outdoor recreation, research packages for whitewater rafting experiences. This prize is perfect for families with older children or groups of friends. Be sure to include provisions for shuttling your winners to the rafting site so they can enjoy the ride without worrying about transportation!

Bar crawl

For your 21+ attendees, bar crawls are a great way for your organization to partner with local establishments to provide an exciting experience. Consider contacting local bars and pubs in a concentrated area for a gift card to each place, letting your winners hop from one location to the next.

Exclusive movie showing

If there is an exciting movie coming out soon, contact your local movie theater to arrange a private showing. Consider taking a survey of a few upcoming films to gauge your attendees’ interest and pick the best movie for your audience.

Bungee jumping experience

If your area offers a bungee jumping experience, be sure to take advantage of this unique prize! This is perfect for organizations that have a lot of outdoorsy, thrill-seeking constituents. Be sure to provide compensation for transportation if your base site is a distance away.

Makeover package

For anyone looking for great makeup tips or wants their face done for a special event, a makeover package is an excellent option. Contact a local makeup artist or store to arrange a pre-paid appointment for your winner.

Silent auction items

A silent auction is a type of event where guests are invited to browse items on display and bid anonymously for the ones that grab their attention. This alternative auction form is typically popular for more upscale events and tends to pair well with galas and dinners. Silent auction items should essentially sell themselves, as there will be no live auctioneer to position them in a certain favorable light. Here are a few examples of fantastic silent auction items:

Yoga classes

For those who want to explore the world of yoga but aren’t entirely sure where to start, bidding on yoga lessons at a charity auction is a great first step. Choose a local yoga studio and see if they’re willing to give you free or discounted lessons for your auction. If all goes well, you might even be bringing them their next long-term customer!

Cooking class

A cooking class provides attendees with an exciting experience paired with the opportunity to learn and practice relevant life skills. When you auction off a private cooking class, you give the winner the opportunity to share with their friends and/or family. For a unique touch, see if you can strike a deal with a local chef at a favorite restaurant who would be willing to share their own tips and tricks for a successful meal.

Wine tour

A wine tour is a popular silent auction item because it pairs a fun experience with a tasty one. Between sightseeing and exploring beautiful locations, trying new drinks, and learning more about favorite wines, the winner of this auction item will have a brilliant memory that lasts. Be sure to reach out to local tour companies and see if you can get a discounted ticket package for your fundraiser.

Tablet or computer

Who doesn’t want a new tablet or computer? When auctioning off technology, it’s a good idea to get the latest and greatest versions of any tablet or computer you want to offer. That way, guests will be more inclined to bid high! When looking for technology to put up for bid at an auction, consider reaching out to local tech retailers near you. Sometimes, these businesses are willing to sell to nonprofits at a discounted price or even donate items altogether.

Hot air balloon ride

A hot air balloon ride is another one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that most people don’t choose to purchase for themselves. However, when proceeds are going to charity, that’s a whole other story! See if you can partner with a local tour agency willing to donate a balloon ride (or even provide a discounted rate) and encourage the winner to share their breathtaking photos with you on social media.

Spa gift certificate

Encourage your supporters to treat themselves by auctioning gift certificates to your local spa or salon. You can choose between a single-person offering or opt for a couples’ spa day and include services such as facials, massages, and mud baths. Who wouldn’t want to spend a relaxing day while also knowing they’re supporting charity?

High-end jewelry

For more upscale audiences, nice jewelry can be a big hit at any charity auction. To ensure you choose the most valuable pieces, keep an eye out for names like Buccellati, Cartier, and Harry Winston. Additionally, you might want to hit up some local designers who might have a more affordable price point. As far as choosing the types of jewelry, you’ll probably want to stay on the more practical side and collect items like necklaces, earrings, and watches.

Designer handbags

Similar to the jewelry mentioned above, the right kind of upscale audience will jump at the chance to bid on your precious, designer handbags. Be sure to look for brands such as Birkin, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and more. This can be a great opportunity for your supporters to purchase a high-end accessory they might otherwise not have.

Limo ride to a nice restaurant

A limo ride is an experience to remember. Consider auctioning off a ride for a group of 6-8 guests, who will then be dropped off and picked up from an upscale eatery. Be sure to include a gift card to the restaurant of choice so that the guests can simply sit back and enjoy their evening.

Party catering

This is a trendy auction item for events nearing the holiday season, although it can be quite successful year-round. Auctioning a catering crew for a specific-sized party (such as 20-30 guests) is an exciting offering for many of your party-planning supporters. Therefore, they’ll be able to plan and host their own event without nearly as much stress!

Lakeside cabin stay

A lakeside cabin stay would be excellent for a family or couple in the vein of enticing vacation packages. Help your winner arrange the best weekend dates for them, and put together a guidebook of local attractions around the area they’re staying in.

Broadway tickets

What’s more exciting than a ticket to a musical on Broadway? Buy a few tickets to a popular show, and provide some compensation for travel and lodging options depending on the location of your constituents.

Musical instrument with lessons

Encourage your constituents to take advantage of learning a new skill by auctioning off an instrument with music lessons for learning how to play. Consider the following:

Acoustic guitar
Drum kit
Marimba

Then, reach out to your local music store to arrange lessons for your winner.

Horseback riding excursion

This popular excursion is excellent for areas with lots of local farmland, fantastic for groups and families alike. Be sure to highlight what scenery they’ll see and give the farm some publicity, too. Be sure to have your winner take pictures on their ride for lasting memories.

Oil changes for a year

No one likes to sit and pay for their oil change a few times a year. Take this seemingly simple but annoying task out of a lucky winner’s to-do list. Aim to set up about 3-5 appointments over the span of a year for your prize.

Hobby kit

Assemble a hobby kit for a prize. This inclusive basket can involve the following popular themes:

Recipes and ingredients
Charcuterie assembly kit
Candlemaking

The options for hobbies are endless, so take what you know about your target audience and create a worthwhile gift.

Slow cooker and recipe book

Slow cookers are excellent appliances for at-home chefs who have to feed many with little time to cook. Be sure to promote the fact that these recipes can be left to cook all day, and will be ready by the end of the day. Include a recipe book for optimal use.

Virtual auction items

Recently, virtual auctions have become a hugely popular alternative to traditional live and silent, in-person auction events. Thanks to top-notch auction technology, virtual auctions are easy for supporters to participate in even from the comfort of their own homes. These are some of our favorite auction items for virtual charity auctions:

Smartwatch

It only makes sense to offer top technology as auction items at your virtual event, and Smartwatches are very high in demand. The most popular brand is definitely the Apple Watch, although Fitbit is a big name as well. It may be a good idea to include both Apple and Android-based watches to let everyone in on the fun.

Subscription box

There are tons of subscription boxes available on the internet. For this auction item, simply choose one that will attract your audience, and encourage bids at your event! You can either go through a subscription service or opt for DIY-style boxes on your own. Popular types of subscription boxes include weekly meal kits, monthly pamper baskets, and entertainment packages.

The length of time is up to you (longer time frames equal higher bids!), although we recommend going for 6- or 12-month cycles. However, something to keep in mind is that whoever purchases the subscription should be sure to go back and cancel at the end of the winner’s subscription.

SkyMiles

SkyMiles is a Delta program that offers points to be used as flight miles. The best thing about offering SkyMiles as an auction item is that many can quite easily be transferred from one person to another. That means if someone in your organization has some miles saved up with no use for them, they can easily be transferred to the winner, meaning a very low-cost (but high-impact) auction item!

Coffee package

Did you know that more than 150 million Americans drink coffee every day? As such, a coffee package is an appealing auction item for many. Be sure to include a high-tech coffee maker, like a Keurig, along with fresh, quality coffee beans, grounds, or individual cups, along with a set of beautifully designed coffee mugs. This way, the recipient will have everything they need to get an elevated coffee shop experience right in their own home.

Home gym set-up

This is perfect for those who have always wanted to get in shape but have a hard time making it out to the gym regularly. You can include weights, a yoga mat, and even a modest-sized workout machine for this auction item. Then, don’t forget to provide instructional videos and share your support!

Date night package

Every couple needs a nice date night every once in a while, but many find themselves too busy or stuck in the same old routine. That’s where this auction item comes in. Be sure to include a gift card to a favorite local restaurant, along with movie tickets and some snacks to sneak in. You might even reignite some sparks with your charity fundraiser!

Car detailing

An opportunity to have one’s car detailed can be very worthwhile, especially for a family with kids. This can either be done with a gift certificate to a local professional or perhaps a team member within your support network. Either way, the winner ends up with a car that looks so good, they might not even recognize it as their own!

Photography class

Auctioning off a paid seat to a local photography class is a great way to raise money for your cause while inspiring creativity as well. Be sure to include photos taken by the instructor or previous students so that bidders can really imagine the type of work they’ll be learning to do.

Pet pampering

Anyone with a pet knows how difficult it can be to keep on top of their furry friend’s grooming habits. Perhaps Fido needs a bath, a haircut, or a nail trim! You can either auction off a gift card for the winner to take their pet to a local groomer or have someone from your team do the pampering themselves. Then, the pet is returned to the owner looking squeaky clean and cuter than ever.

Ballroom dance lessons

Many untrained dancers wish they had the knowledge and skills to prosper in the area, although few actually take the steps toward learning. That’s why offering ballroom dance lessons as an auction item can be a unique and creative idea! This works especially well for couples who might be approaching an anniversary or another special date. After all, who doesn’t want to feel like a prince or princess?

Snow Sport Adventures

If your organization is based in an area where it snows, look into ways to assemble a winter sports gift. For example, consider offering packages with:

Skiing
Snowmobiling
Ice skating

Be sure to include a few people in the experience so your winner can bring family or friends along.

Five-Course Meal at a Five-Star Restaurant

Choose the fanciest restaurant in your area and set up a dinner for your winner and a few friends. Let the winner have a say in choosing some menu items for an exciting experience. As a bonus, ask the restaurant if the diners can meet the chef after the big meal.

After-Hours Museum Tour

Is there a history, science, or art museum in town? Arrange an after-hours guided tour for a lucky winner and their friends or family. They’ll love an up-close look at the exhibits led by a knowledgeable team member. Be sure to provide the winner with brochures and perhaps a membership for an added bonus after their tour.

Beachfront Resort Stay

If your area is near a beach, this can be a wonderful staycation option. If you live in a landlocked area, consider compensating for travel and transportation fees. Partner with a resort for a room package for a couple or family to auction off. Be sure to include perks like drink and meal tickets for their stay.

Dinner and a Movie for Two

Perfect for date night, a dinner and movie package for two can be hosted at a local theater. Arrange for their preferred meals to be delivered to the theater on time for the show. Let your winner pick an exciting movie from what’s hot now in theatres.

Drone with Camera

Drones are exciting gadgets for photographers and adventurers. The winner can capture some unforgettable aerial shots to upload to their computer or device. Then, encourage them to share their favorite shots with your team on social media. Be sure to include instructions for use with the drone!

Custom Coffee Mugs

Perfect for a coffee-loving constituent, a custom mug set is excellent for their morning beverage. Connect with a local arts and crafts store to provide options such as custom images, text, and colors for the personalized cups. Whenever your winner uses these special mugs, they’ll remember your organization and cause.

Wireless Headphones

Perfect for any age, high-quality wireless headphones can be an expensive, yet essential item. Offer noise-canceling headphones perfect for working out, studying, and traveling. When listing your item advertise how they can be beneficial in almost all types of lifestyles from working out to commuting. Be sure to include warranty information.

School auction items

School auctions are a fantastic school fundraising idea to raise money and provide an engaging experience for students, families, alumni, and other community members. Whether your items are directly related to your school can be an extremely worthwhile experience for all attendees. Effective and popular school auction items can include the following:

School merchandise

More than likely, you already have a set of school merchandise on sale, including t-shirts, hats, lanyards, and more. However, it’s a good idea for your dedicated auction items to roll out limited-time merchandise with new designs. The exclusivity and urgency will lead to more bids!

Student-made artwork

This can be a powerful money-maker for students of all ages, especially because a student artist’s own family members and friends will likely be willing to pay more for their special person’s artwork. Feel free to auction off items that students create in their school art classes or collect artwork created in a students’ own free time.

VIP graduation package

If you’re raising money for a high school, college, or university, a VIP graduation package can be a great idea for your auction. Include things like an optimal parking spot, front row seats, a photoshoot with the principal or dean, and a unique diploma frame!

Parking spot

This auction item can easily be adjusted to fit whichever audience you’re selling to. For high school or college fundraisers, auctioning off highly-coveted parking spaces in the student lot is a great way to raise money from students who are tired of walking so much. On the other hand, a middle or elementary school fundraiser can encourage parents to bid on their own parking spot, allowing them to skip the parent pickup line each day.

Principal for a day

Best for younger students like elementary and middle-schoolers, auctioning off the opportunity to be the “Principal for a Day” is a great way to ignite school spirit while raising money at the same time! To many students, the principal is almost like a superhero, so it’s definitely an exciting option. Consider adding a fast food meal of choice at lunchtime to sweeten the deal for an extra perk.

Naming rights

Whether you’re installing a new bench or restoring an old building, auctioning off naming rights is an exciting way for students to leave their legacy. This can be great for both parents to win for graduating students as they transition to alumni. Be sure to include a small plaque on the item being named, and allow the winning student a brief message of their choice.

Professional photoshoot

Professional photos make nice mementos, but getting them done can be pricey. That’s why a photoshoot is a popular auction item for your school fundraiser. Choose a location with a nice background and scenery, and perhaps you even have a talented photographer in your midst who might volunteer to take photos for free! Then, be sure to get high-quality prints of the pictures and provide the winner with digital copies.

Theme park tickets

Is there an amusement or water park fairly close to your school? Auctioning off a four-pack of tickets is a great idea to raise money at your fundraising event. For a bonus, you might want to turn it into a basket, complete with branded t-shirts from that park! This way, the winners will be all set for their trip, and they’ll fit right in.

Camping package

This is a great idea for younger students and parents who want to plan a family trip or older students who would like to experience the outdoors with their friends. Be sure to include several sleeping bags, a good-sized tent, firewood, s’mores ingredients (and other snacks!), and a reserved spot at a local campground.

Private zoo tour

Zoos are exciting experiences for students of all ages, and a private tour with behind-the-scenes offerings can bring the intrigue up several notches. You might even want to work with the zoo management to see if you can offer tickets for an after-hours tour so that the winners get free reign of the area.

Class Party

A class party can be a highlight of the school year. Let your winner decide which option to host, such as:

Pizza parties
Boardgame tournament
Pajamas and a movie day

Whichever idea they choose, your organization can sponsor the party and gather the needed supplies for teachers to host.

Homework passes

No one likes to do homework. Consider auctioning off a few homework passes that can be used throughout the school year to lift the task of a worksheet or two. Be sure to get the go-ahead from teachers beforehand.

Sports coin toss

For middle and high schoolers, supporting their athletics teams is an exciting part of being a student. Auction off the chance to flip the coin for possession before a game of the student’s choice. Consider offering this perk before a big game like the homecoming football game, or a championship volleyball match.

Fire station tour

Fire station tours aren’t only an exciting field trip, they can be an excellent auction prize. Contact your local fire station to set up a tour of the building and a firetruck. Be sure to encourage your winner to take pictures of their experience and share them with their families and friends.

One month of after-school care

Working parents will appreciate the gift of a month of free after-school care provided by your school. Oftentimes, work runs later than their child’s dismissal, and after-school care is the only feasible option for this time. This gift can help alleviate the stress of working late and getting things done at home.

Children’s book reading

A children’s book reading can be an excellent prize for a younger student. Allow the student to pick the book they want to hear, and arrange a time to have it read aloud by the author at the school library. Be sure to provide snacks and a signed copy of the book for the child and their friends they invite to participate.

Aquarium sleepover

If your town has an aquarium, chances are, the kids in the area love it. Offer the chance for a student and their friends to stay overnight at the aquarium for an unforgettable slumber party with their favorite marine animals. Provide an after-hours tour of the facility, and perhaps a chance to feed a fish of their choice.

Are you ready to plan your best auction yet?

Church auction items

If you’re raising money for your church or religious organization, an auction can be a great idea. Not only can you bring in thousands of dollars in charitable support, but your congregants get an exciting event (and hopefully a fun auction item) out of the process! Here are some popular auction items among churchgoers for your auction:

Youth chore team for a day

Perhaps your congregation comprises elderly guests or working parents with young children who might have trouble keeping up with important tasks around their homes. In this case, a chore team is a great resource to auction off at your fundraiser. To do so, be sure you have a group of 6-8 hardworking individuals who are willing to donate their time for an entire day.

Gift cards

Gift cards are a fun yet straightforward item to auction off at any charity event. Plus, many local businesses and restaurants are willing to trade gift cards for some extra exposure for their company. To get started, find out if any of your church members have connections to the local businesses—whether they own them or know the management! Good ideas include popular restaurants, spas and salons, and other experiences.

Worship concert tickets

Is there an upcoming worship concert by a well-known Christian band or singer in your area? Try to secure some good seats and auction the tickets off for your church fundraiser. For best results, be sure to consider the music that your congregation is partial to—whether that’s traditional, contemporary, indie, or even Christian hip hop.

Vacation home usage

More than likely, someone in your congregation has access to a vacation home. For this auction item, see if they’ll donate that home for usage by another member or family for a week or so as a high-demand auction item. If you can’t find an available vacation home, see if you can get a good deal on a hotel or Airbnb. The best part about this is that it will likely go for high bids but be given to your church at a low (or no!) cost.

Coffee crawl

You’ve probably heard of a bar crawl—and a coffee crawl is just the same! Collect gift cards from several local coffee shops and draft a map of a suggested route that the winner can take. Even better, you might include reusable coffee mugs from each location so that the individual also has a set of mementos from the unique experience.

Childcare

Hiring a babysitter can get pretty pricey, especially if there’s more than one kid to consider. That’s why for many churchgoers, childcare for an evening can be a popular auction item! Similar to a chore team, be sure to recruit responsible churchgoers (whether youth and/or adults) to volunteer their time to look after the winner’s child(ren) for a night. For a bonus, you might position this item as a “date night” package and include a gift certificate to a favorite romantic restaurant as well.

First pitch at a game

If you have a professional sports team or two in your area, this can be an exciting auction item for kids and adults alike. By partnering with a local sports team, you can provide an exclusive opportunity for your auction winner that will be a great memory for years to come. And, despite the name, a similar experience can even be offered for other sports as well—like football or basketball!

Professional landscaping

Who doesn’t want their front lawn landscaped nicely—especially when the money will support a good cause? More than likely, someone in your church has some experience (or at least a connection). If not, try reaching out to local landscaping businesses to see if you can work out a discount for your auction offering.

Voice lessons

Many people are willing to pay big bucks for voice lessons. When it’s the music pastor or another member of the worship team offering, it can be an even more exciting experience for everyone involved. Perhaps the winner can even showcase their new skills by singing in the choir on a Sunday morning!

Learn to craft lesson

A DIY class for the winning bidder and their friends or family is a wonderful way to bring your church’s community even closer. Seek out a crafty member of your church to help facilitate the lesson, and provide options for crafts to make.

Golf Lessons

Does your area have a golf course? If so, reach out to your local club and ask about golf lessons for a lucky winner. Be sure to make the lesson eligible for two new learners so your constituent can bring a friend along.

Family-Friendly Comedy Show Tickets

If there is a comedy club in your area, look into obtaining a few tickets for a family in your congregation. Be sure the humor is kid-appropriate, and they’ll be in for an unforgettable night of laughs.

Staycation Package

Staycation packages are excellent, especially during the COVID-19 era. Your package can include the following to entice bidders:

Movies
Gift cards to local establishments
Board games

This way, your church is able to support local businesses and provide a worthwhile gift.

Holiday decorating or takedown

Often, the task of putting up or taking down holiday decorations is a pain point on a to-do list. Locate a group of willing volunteers from your congregation to commit a few hours to help out the winner with such tasks.

Christmas card photoshoot

Around the holidays, many couples and families send out Christmas cards. Winning a professional photoshoot would be excellent for making their card the best one yet! Be sure to choose a picturesque backdrop and provide holiday-related props.

Missionary sponsorship

In your congregation, you may have members completing short or longer-term mission trips. Consider making an auction item the chance to sponsor this person, and cover their travel fees in their religious endeavors. Costs can add up for transportation, accommodations, and necessary items, so this gift is an excellent solution to help out.

House painting or renovations

If one of your congregants is looking for a home refresh, this is the perfect opportunity for getting help with updating the exterior of the home! Rally a group of willing volunteers to put in work over a weekend to make the winner’s house look brand-new.

Items for any auction

These items are tried-and-true when it comes to stirring up excitement and competition at auctions. From nail-bitingly fun activities such as skydiving to relaxing on a cruise in the tropics, the opportunities are endless! Here are a few of our favorites:

Luxury resort stay

Do you have a luxury resort in your area or neighboring town? If so, look into packages for a weekend stay for your item. This cuts out transportation costs and stress that may come with taking time off of work to travel. Be sure to promote the amenities offered by the resort of your choice!

Helicopter tour

A tour of your city from the sky is a memory that will last a lifetime for your highest bidder. This experience can be an adventurous date idea or great for thrill-seekers overall. If your town doesn’t offer helicopter tours, arrange one with a nearby city, and provide a method of transportation for your winners.

Weekend Cruise

Cruise packages are exciting and typically the hottest vacation items as people look to escape to tropical weather. Promote the idea that traveling is an excellent way to take a break from spending their weekend at home!

Behind-the-Scenes Tour

This option gives a lot of opportunities for creativity. Plan this event depending on the interests of your participants. Would they be interested in a kitchen tour of a popular restaurant, or would they rather see what goes behind backstage at a local theater? Regardless, this exclusive experience is sure to be a hit.

VIP Concert Tickets/Backstage Pass

Is a popular artist coming to your town soon? If so, look into securing VIP or backstage passes for your auction. Perhaps one of your board members has a connection to a ticket holder looking to donate their pass. This is a one-in-a-lifetime type of gift!

Stationary bike and classes

Spinning bikes are all the rage in 2021. Why not offer a gift that keeps your winners active in the comfort of their own home? Consider a stationary bike with an included subscription to their online training classes. This is perfect for areas with social distancing orders, as gyms may be closed!

Skydiving experience

Another adventurous gift option is a skydiving experience if offered in your local area. Consider this item for active and daredevil participants. This could be popular with younger crowds looking for an unforgettable time!

Fitness class/Personal trainer

What’s better than a package that promotes healthy living and self-improvement? If your demographic is an active group, be sure to look into local gyms and trainers that would be willing to help offer their services to a lucky bidder.

Movie theater subscription

Celebrity meet and greet

This is truly an extraordinary experience for your participants. Consider who they would be interested in meeting and if any celebrities live or are touring the area at any point in the future. This could take a lot of planning and connections, but it is not impossible!

With a wide array of enticing experiences and items, your auction is sure to ignite competition and spark excitement. Be sure to advertise all of the wonderful features and values of each item to attract bids further.

Pet sitting and boarding

Finding a place to leave a beloved cat or dog over vacation is a huge task for many. Take the guesswork out of setting up this arrangement by partnering with a pet watching company. Be sure to include a few toys and treats with this gift!

High-end appliances

Everyone can benefit from a high-quality kitchen appliance in their life. They’ll be able to cook better meals, and it’ll last for years. Here are some popular appliance options:

Air fryers
Blenders
Slow cookers

Ask your local appliance shop what they’d be willing to donate, and consider including a pertinent recipe book to go along with it.

Video doorbell

This gift is one of the most useful prizes. Video doorbells are excellent options for home and property security. Promote this item to constituents with families, as they’re popular items to keep the home safe. Look into options with mobile and email alerts for optimized safety for the homeowners.

Top Tips for Procuring High-Demand Auction Items

How do I get auction items?

Now that you know which items you’d like for your upcoming fundraiser, you may have a few questions about acquiring them. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick list of tried-and-true item procurement tips as well!

1. Share key details about your cause.

Prospective donors are much more likely to give to a cause that they’re well-informed about, especially if there’s any sort of personal connection. One of the most powerful ways to leverage this knowledge is by sharing true stories about constituents who have been positively impacted by your organization (with their permission, of course). This way, potential supporters can better visualize themselves as a part of the solution you’re offering.

2. Reach out to friends and family.

Sometimes your best resources are already within your close networks of team members’ own friends and families. That’s why it’s a great idea to begin the procurement process close to home. Perhaps a team member has a connection to a major donor who may be willing to provide either auction items or financial support for your upcoming event. It doesn’t hurt to ask!

3. Create a procurement team.

If you rely on a single team member to reach out to potential donors and collect items on their own, the results will likely be less than desired. That’s because it’s a big task that ideally should be delegated among a good-sized team of staff and volunteers (typically 5-6 individuals). Then, once you have your team in place, be sure to divide projects up into smaller checklist items so that each person knows exactly what they’re responsible for.

4. Provide suggested donations.

When reaching out to potential item donors, it’s a good idea to include a list of 10-20 suggested items to donate. This can remove significant stress from both the team member soliciting donations and the potential donors themselves. For best results, craft each list to match the prospective donor from whom you’re requesting a gift.

5. Form partnerships with local businesses.

When charitable organizations work together with for-profit businesses, they can often form powerful corporate partnerships that strategically benefit both parties involved. Charity auctions are no different! Fundraising events like these provide businesses with exclusive marketing and promotional opportunities, while they can donate unique goods and services for your auction in return.

6. Make sure your asks are big and often.

One of the biggest mistakes that fundraisers make when planning a charity auction is limiting the number and scope of their fundraising asks. This is, understandably, often due to a fear of rejection. However, it’s important to get into the mindset that you should ask as many potential donors for support as possible and understand that the worst they can do is say no!

Along the same lines, be sure to make your asks worthwhile. If you only ask for items in the $20 range, you’ll likely only receive items worth $20. The bigger you ask, the bigger you’ll receive—even if it doesn’t quite match the amount you requested.

7. Accept cash gifts as well.

Be sure to provide an option for accepting cash gifts at your auction. This just extends the possibility of receiving more funding from your constituents over the course of your event. Offer envelopes and a box for such donations at your information table.

8. Consider consignment items.

Offering consignment items is a great way to raise more with big-ticket items without as much risk. That’s because, with consignment items, you don’t pay the company offering the item or experience until after an auction attendee has made their purchase. This way, you don’t have to worry about shelling out tons of money pre-auction on your main attraction items with the worry that they might not sell.

9. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Like any aspect of your auction planning, you want to get the ball rolling on the item procurement process as early as possible. Otherwise, you risk coming up empty-handed as your event approaches, which won’t work out well for anyone. Instead, be sure to stick to a well-thought-out fundraising calendar to keep your whole team on track, and you’ll be able to receive top items right on schedule.

It’s a good idea to begin brainstorming item procurement at least 3-6 months in advance of your auction and then continue the process from there.

Having the best auction items possible will set your event up for success. Not only will your array of items draw in more attendees ahead of time, but you’ll also encourage guests to spend more while they’re there. You can thank us later!

For more information, take a look at our other informational guides and top fundraising resources:

Text-to-Give | Complete Guide for Nonprofits and Fundraisers. Mobile giving is popular among both fundraising teams and their supporters. Even better, you can integrate this easy-to-use giving method as a bonus source of revenue at your charity auction!
Virtual Fundraising: The Complete Guide for 2021 & Beyond. Virtual fundraising is a continuously growing tactic for nonprofits. If you’re looking for new tips and tricks to raise more for your organization, be sure to read our powerful guide.
Fundraising Software for Nonprofits: Top Providers. The most effective fundraisers utilize effective tools. Take a look at our list of favorite free and low-cost fundraising software perfect for nonprofits like yours.

Are you ready to plan your best auction yet?

The post Auction Items | 101 Best Ideas [& Tips for Procuring Them] first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

Writing a Donation Letter: 10 Example Templates & Pro Tips

Snowball Fundraising — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:38:29 +0000

Even in the digital age, a donation letter is still one of the most direct and effective ways to raise money for your cause.

That’s because donation letters are such a flexible strategy – whether they’re direct mail appeals or email messages, tailored to a specific campaign or event, or asking for more general support. You can’t really go wrong with a well-written, concise appeal for donations.

We’ve written before about how to create the perfect donation page, the actual place on your website where you’ll accept online donations. But how do you promote it to potential donors? Or, if you’re mailing physical messages, how do you let supporters know they can find you online or send a check? Reach out with a letter.

Nonprofit fundraising letters are a fantastic way to drum up support and awareness for your cause. And thanks to the plethora of powerful resources available to organizations like yours, you can make the most of this fundraising opportunity while making the most of the time and money put into your own mission.

However, you have to make sure your donation letter stands out. Following a foolproof template is the best way to make sure you’re hitting all the essentials. Then, you can customize and personalize your letter to really catch your donors’ attention.

Let’s walk through common examples of donation letters, starting with a template of the basic format to follow:

The basic donation letter format
Donation request letters
Letters for fundraising events
Letters for online fundraising
Letters for pledge campaigns
Letters for peer-to-peer campaigns
Letters for sponsorship requests
Letters for new nonprofits
Letters for schools
Letters for churches

Use the list above to jump to a particular letter template, or just follow along with us from the top. We’ll wrap up with a few of our pro tips to make your donation letters as impactful as possible. Let’s get started!

Bonus resource! Once you’ve used these templates to write your fundraising letter, head to GivingMail to use their direct mailing services to get your letters in supporters’ hands! This allows your team to send appeals to the largest number of recipients in the most efficient way possible, allowing you to put your time and money into what matters: your mission.

Donation Letter Templates: 10 Common Examples

1. The Basic Donation Letter Format

Let’s start with the basics. Here’s a template of the essential elements that any effective donation letter will include:

Salutation. Greet your potential donor with a friendly opening, and personalize it with their name whenever possible. You might need to do this manually, or you can use nonprofit software and marketing tools to automatically populate names into your letters and emails. By including supporters’ names and addresses on your letters, case studies show that you can increase your response rate by 14%, average gift size by 19%, and overall revenue by an astonishing 31.5%!
Explanation of your mission. If your recipient isn’t very familiar with your organization, a concise explanation of your mission and purpose is important. This is the “hook,” the first place to encourage readers to emotionally connect with your work. If your recipients have engaged with your nonprofit before (whether as current or lapsed donors, volunteers, etc.), this is also the place to acknowledge that.
Your project, event, or needs. Next, briefly explain what you’re fundraising for. Why are you sending the letter? It might be a specific project or event that needs funding, or you might be conducting a fundraising campaign to raise support for your organization more generally, or you might be sending letters to matching-gift eligible donors to encourage them to submit their match. Whatever the reason, be exact and transparent about it.
Compelling details. In the middle section, add some compelling details to help illustrate your needs. Describe your project or event and the impact it will have on your community. Provide examples of your past work, or share a story about a particular constituent or campaign. This is where you should focus on engaging your reader emotionally to motivate them to take action.
A specific request. Next, clearly state your specific request. Your reader won’t feel as compelled to donate if your request is too generic. Ask for a specific amount, but make it clear that any support will be appreciated. If possible, tie your request to a specific impact it will have. For example: “Your donation of $25 will help provide a backpack full of school supplies for a local student in need.”
A call-to-action. Wrap up your letter with the concrete next steps that you want the reader to take. This will depend on the exact purpose of the letter. For an email, include a direct link to your donation page. For a physical letter, provide clear instructions for readers to send you a check or find your online donation page.

The main idea is to focus your letter around one key goal. Depending on your exact goal for the letter, you may choose to promote your main donation page, recurring gift options, event registration page, or volunteer sign-up form. Never overwhelm your reader with multiple or vague requests.

You just need to ensure you’ve got easy-to-use online fundraising tools set up to direct your readers to. Create a Snowball account to cover your bases with a free online donation page.

By sticking to the essentials outlined in this basic template, you’ll already be ahead of the game and boost your chances of success.

Now, you’re ready to adjust your letter a bit more based on your specific goals, community, or project. Let’s walk through some common examples.

2. Donation Letter Template: Donation Request

Dear [name],
We here at [your organization] are so proud of our recent work to [provide a few details about your past initiatives], and we’d like to thank you for being a part of our community.
However, our mission to [short description of your organization’s mission] is a 24/7 undertaking! We need your help to continue our work. [Provide illustrative details about your needs. Why are you sending them the letter?]
Past campaigns have enabled us to [provide an example or two of your organization’s impact]. As a nonprofit organization, though, we completely rely on community support. None of our efforts would be possible without the help of donors, volunteers, and supportive community members like you.
Would you please consider making a donation of [a specific amount] to help us [refer back to your organization’s needs or next project]?
If you’d like to make a gift, please visit our donation page here: [if an email, include a direct link] [if a physical letter, provide basic instructions for finding your website or sending a check]
Any and all support is greatly appreciated. We’re just excited to get to work! Thank you for being a part of our community and our story.
Sincerely,
[Your name and title, not simply the name of your organization]

This fairly general donation letter template covers all the bases. It describes your purpose for fundraising, highlights your organization’s impact, and has a clear call-to-action. Customize this template with your own specifics, and you’re good to go!

3. Donation Letter Template: Events

Dear [name],
We here at [organization name] are excited to announce our upcoming event, [event name/title], coming up on [date].
[In a few sentences, describe the purpose, nature, and impact of the event, including specific activities or special opportunities.]
As a member of our community, we’d love to invite you to join us! However, we need some extra help to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
Would you please consider chipping in a donation of [a specific amount of money, or a specific in-kind good/service]? With this help, we can ensure that [explain the specific impact of the requested donation].
If you’d like to make a gift, please visit our donation page here: [if an email, include a direct link] [if a physical letter, provide basic instructions for finding your website or sending a check]. Or, contact us at [email address or phone number] to discuss our upcoming event and how you can get involved.
Thank you so much for your support, and we hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
[Your name and title]

Depending on the specifics of your event, you might send this letter to individuals or to local businesses, and you might promote one of several different giving methods (like online donations, text-to-give, in-kind contributions, or volunteering). Adapt the essential components to your particular needs for the event.

However, keep the content of the letter itself focused on one main request. Short and sweet will always be more compelling! Just be sure to tell readers where to learn more or get involved if they want to.

Take a Personalized Tour

Schedule a demo with one of our fundraising consultants. We’ll show you how the Snowball platform has benefited other nonprofit organizations, and how it can help you.

4. Donation Letter Template: Online Fundraising

Dear [name],
We here at [your organization] would like to thank you for being a part of our community.
With the support of our friends and neighbors like you, we’ve been able to accomplish so much over the past year. [Include a few specific details about your recent projects and their impacts.]
We’re happy to announce that we’re launching a new online fundraising initiative! This campaign is raising funds for [purpose of the campaign], and will be essential for us to continue our work into the coming season.
Would you please consider making a donation of [specific amount] to help us kick off our campaign? Please visit our donation page [include a direct link] to get started.
[Add a button that says “Donate Here,” if possible.]
For helping us kick off our online fundraising campaign, we’d love to offer you a special thank you. [Offer some kind of incentive for online donors, like a social media shout out, merchandise coupon, event or raffle ticket, etc.]
Stay tuned for more updates on our campaign! Thanks so much for your support, and we hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your name and title]

While the other templates in this post can be adapted for both email and physical donation letters, this one is intended to be sent as an email.

For an online fundraising campaign, your recipients will most likely all have donated to your organization (or at least engaged with it) via online channels in the past. This means your letter should start off by acknowledging that existing relationship.

Express excitement about your newest online fundraising push, and use a clear CTA, like a button, to funnel readers directly to your donation page. Get creative to incentivize early-bird donors, too! If you know that some of your donors are matching-gift eligible, include information on how to access a matching gift database and complete their match for your nonprofit.

These kinds of extra steps can go a long way to boost engagement and help your online fundraising campaign stand out to busy supporters.

5. Donation Letter Template: Pledge Campaigns

Hi [name],
We need your help to reach our pledge goal of [total financial goal for the campaign] by [a specific time and date]!
We’ve launched this rapid-fire campaign to [purpose of the campaign – disaster relief, social or political advocacy, annual fundraising, etc.], and we know we can count on our community to help us get there.
At [your organization], we work hard every day to pursue our mission of [your mission], and our last major campaign resulted in [examples of your impact]. We could never have done it without the support of our friends and neighbors like you.
Pledge your support of [one or a few specific dollar amounts] now with our quick pledge tool: [provide a direct link to your pledge tool]
Please note: [Explain the unique pledge conditions of your campaign, like triggers or matching periods]. Together we can make a huge difference in our community!
Thanks in advance for your support! Be sure to share our fundraising challenge with your friends and family, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
[Your name and title]

Pledge fundraising campaigns are a unique way to raise support around a specific goal quickly. Check out our complete guide to pledge campaigns here for more information, including explanations of the pledge conditions mentioned in the template.

No matter the specifics of your pledge campaign, the main idea is to be short and to-the-point. These campaigns are all about speed and quick emotional connection. Remind readers of why the work you do is important, and then challenge them to get involved. You can collect the pledges later, but your goal right now should simply be to mobilize support.

6. Donation Letter Template: P2P Fundraising Campaigns

Hi!
I’m raising money on behalf of [your organization]‘s ongoing campaign to [support/fight/raise awareness for your mission].
For [your organization’s age] years, this organization has pursued its mission and enriched our community. Now, I’m excited to be lending my own support to their cause, and I hope you’ll join me!
To reach my own personal goal for this campaign, I need to raise [the volunteer’s fundraising goal]. Would you consider making a donation of [a specific amount] or helping me to spread the word online? Check out my donation page here [include a link to the volunteer’s P2P donation page] to make a contribution or to learn more about [your organization].
[Include any information here if your P2P campaign involves events, like festivals, 5Ks, etc., and how donors can register to get involved.]
This cause means a lot to me, so thank you for your support!
[The volunteer’s name]

Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns involve your supporters raising money on your organization’s behalf by setting up their own basic donation pages and then promoting them online to friends and family. You’ll need to provide supporters and volunteers with a template like this one to make it easy for them to hit all the essentials in their donation requests, social media posts, and emails.

Make sure your template mentions a specific fundraising goal and includes links back to the volunteer’s donation page, not just your organization’s website. The main idea is to empower and engage your supporters. After all, these campaigns are effective because the audience will feel compelled to support their loved one’s passions, not necessarily to support your organization that they may not have heard of before.

7. Donation Letter Template: Sponsorship Requests

Dear [name],
My name is [your name], and I work for the local nonprofit organization, [your organization], as a development and fundraising professional.
If you haven’t heard of our organization, we work to [short description of your mission], and we’ve [brief examples of your impact over recent years]. In fact, last year we raised upwards of [fundraising total] in support of our cause.
I’m reaching out today because I believe the values and priorities of our two organizations align very well. A partnership could greatly benefit both of us, with more stable support for our work and extremely positive promotions of your brand to our loyal audience of supporters.
Please feel free to explore our organization’s history and work here [include a link to your website], and don’t hesitate to get in touch at [your email address or phone number]. We can discuss arranging a structured partnership, a one-time donation, or anything else!
We’re always excited to work with new partners in the community, and we hope you’ll join us!
Best wishes,
[Your name and title]

This donation letter template is a bit more formal because requesting a sponsorship from a business (of any size) is really like arranging a partnership. You need to offer the business something in return, usually positive publicity at your events or online, for them to consider making a sizable gift.

Here’s a pro tip for identifying potential sponsors: Implement a matching gift search tool into your donation process, and look out for local businesses that have corporate philanthropy programs and employ a ton of your donors. Check out the Mercy Corps matching gifts page for an idea of what this looks like in action.

8. Donation Letter Template: New Nonprofits

Dear [name],
We’re [your organization], a brand new nonprofit organization in your community. We were founded just [your organization’s age] ago to help support and lead [your mission] in [your city, town, or state].
We’re reaching out to you as a neighbor with a vested interest in seeing our community thrive. [Be more specific if you’re writing to a particular audience.]
But getting a foothold as a new nonprofit is a huge challenge. Raising awareness for our cause and our work is crucial if we’re going to make any kind of long-term impact!
Would you consider making a donation of [specific amount] to get us one step closer to our fundraising goal of [total]?
If we reach this target goal before [date], we’ll be able to [the specific goal of this campaign, like renting an office space or hosting your first event], and you can help us get there!
Please visit our donation page here to get started: [include a direct link]
Also, please explore our website [include a direct link] or follow us on social media [include a direct link] to learn more about our mission and the partners who have already joined our cause.
Together we can make a difference in our community! Please reach out to me at [email address or phone number] if you have any questions about our organization or how you can get involved.
Thanks, and we hope to hear from you soon!
[Your name and title]

Brand new nonprofits have a few major challenges ahead of them – securing initial funding, setting up key partnerships, and establishing an original base of support.

Larger grants for startup organizations (learn more about grant writing here) will most likely make up the bulk of your initial funding, but using letters like this one to find actual communities of supporters is essential in your early days. It’s usually not a good idea to include too many calls-to-action in a single letter, but giving your readers the option to donate, follow you on social media, or just learn more about your organization will cover your bases. Every little bit of engagement and attention counts!

Make sure you’ve got a donation tool set up and a way to track the donations you receive. You’ll want to immediately focus on building relationships with those first donors.

Snowball’s all-in-one fundraising software makes it easy to raise more for your nonprofit.

9. Donation Letter Template: Schools

Dear [name],
[Your school’s name] needs your support! My name is [your name], and I’m part of the [your role – the school’s PTA, administrative team, teacher, etc.].
Every year, we work hard to provide the best possible educational and extracurricular activities for our students, but we can’t do it alone. Our tight budget has recently forced us to [provide a specific example or two – cut down on afterschool programs, etc.]. But we know we can count on our community to help us close the gap.
Would you consider making a donation of [specific amount] to contribute to our fund for [describe your campaign’s purpose or goal]?
A gift of [amount] will allow us to [the specific impact of a donation, tied to the campaign’s main purpose].
Please visit our donation page here if you’d like to get started: [provide a direct link].
Or, reach out to us at [email address or phone number] to talk about our school’s needs and how you can get involved.
Don’t forget! Our [your school’s next event, like a fall festival] is coming up soon, and we’d love to see you there! Get your tickets now: [provide a direct link].
Together we can continue making our school an environment of excellence for our kids. Thank you!
[Your name and title]

School fundraising is a round-the-clock undertaking! Thankfully, schools are also fairly tight-knit communities, and every parent wants the best for their child’s school. Tap into that shared desire by clearly emphasizing your needs and making it easy for them to get involved. Quickly mention any upcoming opportunities or events, as well.

Use this template to make sure you’re including all the essentials in your next email blast or mailed letter to your community of parents. Then, adapt it to your particular goals, projects, and fundraising ideas.

10. Donation Letter Template: Churches

Dear [name],
[Begin with a story focused on your church’s recent successes, such as growth in membership or your positive impact on the surrounding community. Connect with the individual member by thanking them for being a supportive part of your community.]
While we feel blessed to have been able to [refer to successful project mentioned above], we need your help to [continue the project or pursue a new one].
With your support, we can [your next project or campaign]. Would you consider contributing [specific amount] to help us work toward our mission? Together, we can reach our community’s goals.
On behalf of our church community at [your church’s name], I thank you in advance for your support. Your contribution will go toward [specific elements of your project that need funding]. You can give online here: [include a direct link].
Or, you can use our text-to-tithe tool to give on the go: [include text-to-tithe instructions].
Feel free to reach out to me at [email address or phone number] if you have questions about our new project.
Gratefully yours,
[Name of a leader in your church]While they can’t always fundraise the same way as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, churches are community-focused organizations that nonetheless rely on their members, supporters, and neighbors for support. Fundraising letters have always been a powerful tool for church fundraising teams to accomplish a wide range of tasks.

Reach out to your community with a concise, heartfelt letter explaining why you need support. Many churches have found great success with text giving tools in recent years, so be sure to promote that outlet, as well.

This is a fairly basic example, so check out our complete guide to writing church fundraising letters for even more templates.

Writing Donation Letters: Our Pro Tips

At Snowball Fundraising, we help organizations of all sizes get set up quickly with powerful but easy-to-use fundraising tools. Having those outlets ready to actually accept and process donations is essential, but how will you let potential donors know when and how to use them?

Here are a few of our own pro tips for maximizing your success with donation letters:

Tell a story. The templates above cover the essentials, but you have to emotionally connect with your readers to motivate them to give. Do that by telling a story about your organization, your mission, your constituents, and your needs. Check out this guide to nonprofit storytelling techniques for more examples.
Include visuals or extra materials. If you’re sending an email, include a picture or two in your message to illustrate your work and community. For physical letters, including a pamphlet, card, or one-pager (especially when you’re promoting a specific project or trying to secure a sponsorship) can be a good idea.
Think about your audience. Don’t just write a single letter or email to send to everyone on your mailing list. Segment your mailing list into discrete groups, and then tailor your letters to those audiences. For instance, you should write different letters to your recurring donors and to your lapsed donors to really maximize their engagement with your messages.
Be specific. Throughout the templates above, we mentioned asking for a specific amount of money in each letter. Vague requests are much less compelling for donors. However, this also applies to the type of donation; if you’re looking to increase your number of recurring donors, specifically ask readers to consider setting up recurring donations!
Be conversational. Again, these letters are all about connecting emotionally, reminding readers of their relationship to your cause, and quickly making a donation request. Avoid using internal fundraising lingo and focus on being personable and warm with your wording. The one exception might be a corporate sponsorship letter, depending on the nature and scope of the partnership you’re hoping to form.
Track data. This step is critical to ensure your donation letters are constantly improving. Always collect and track some form of engagement data when you send a donation letter. This could be as simple as recording how many donations your physical letter campaign generated. For email and social media posts, it’s a little easier to track a wider variety of data points. Use Google Analytics or a tool like MailChimp to track engagement with your message, and make sure your donation tools make it easy to report data back to your CRM or central data center.
Partner with a direct mail fundraising company. You might assume that working with a direct mail fundraising platform to send out donation letters is more costly, and therefore detract from your mission. Not so fast! With a powerful and low-cost partner like GivingMail, you can raise more for your campaign for less than it would cost for paper, ink, envelope, and stamps on your own! That way, your own fundraising team can save time and effort for other important tasks.

The Snowball Formula for Successful Modern Fundraising

Before we close out this guide, let’s walk through the Snowball formula for successful fundraising in the digital age. This philosophy guides the development of all of our donation tools:

Don’t kill the donor’s buzz. Donating should be fast and easy, and donors should feel great while they’re doing it. Never slow them down with complicated steps, or you’ll risk distracting them from the spirit of generosity that inspired them to give in the first place.
Secure a card to streamline the process. Once you’ve built a relationship with a donor, encourage them to save their card information on file with you. Not having to enter in payment information the next time they want to donate can play a major role in ensuring that they actually will.
Promote recurring donations. Recurring donations are the ultimate goal because they represent a strong, sustaining relationship between that donor and your organization. Once you’ve secured their recurring support, you can focus on growing your emotional and philanthropic connections with them.

With these core steps, any organization, large or small, can start building a rock-solid base of support. Be sure to continue your research with a few additional fundraising resources, too:

Direct Mail for Nonprofits: The Ultimate Fundraising Guide. Sending your donation letters via direct mail is a great way to stand out in the minds of your donors. Learn more about effective fundraising practices with this guide.
Fundraising Ideas For Nonprofits | Directory Of 75+ Ideas. Looking for more fundraising ideas to promote to your donors? Check out our complete directory.
85+ Awesome Church Fundraising Ideas for Your Congregation. We’ve got plenty of fundraising ideas just for churches, too! Bookmark this guide.
Best Nonprofit Software To Raise Money Fast. Looking to build out a fundraising toolkit on a budget? We’ve got you covered.

If you’re a new nonprofit, getting started with a free Snowball donation page will ensure you’ve covered all the essentials and are ready to start sending those letters!

The post Writing a Donation Letter: 10 Example Templates & Pro Tips first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

Empower Non-Profit Fundraising with AI

Isaiah Baca — Wed, 10 May 2023 14:39:22 +0000

In an increasingly competitive landscape, non-profit organizations must innovate to optimize their fundraising efforts. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers exciting opportunities to enhance content generation, marketing, and donor communications. In this blog post, we will focus on how non-profits can leverage AI tools, particularly GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models, to create compelling content and personalized donor communications that drive fundraising success.

Content Generation and Marketing with AI:

GPT models, like OpenAI’s GPT-3, have revolutionized the way we create content. These AI tools can generate high-quality, engaging content in various styles and formats, making them invaluable for non-profit organizations. Here’s how you can use AI-generated content to bolster your fundraising efforts:
Blog Posts: AI-generated blog posts can help maintain a consistent online presence and inform potential donors about your organization’s mission, impact, and ongoing initiatives. This can improve donor engagement and encourage financial support.
Social Media Updates: GPT models can create captivating social media updates that resonate with your target audience. By sharing compelling stories and updates, you can increase your organization’s visibility and reach, ultimately attracting new donors.
Email Newsletters: AI-generated email newsletters can help you keep supporters informed and engaged, increasing the likelihood of repeat donations. Automated content generation can also save your team time and resources, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks.

Personalized Donor Communications with AI:

Personalization is key to building long-lasting relationships with donors. AI tools can help you craft personalized donor communications that strengthen engagement and drive fundraising results:
Data Analysis: AI algorithms can analyze donor data, including preferences, donation history, and engagement patterns, to create personalized messages tailored to each donor’s unique profile.
Dynamic Content: Use AI-generated content to create customized communications that speak directly to each donor’s interests and values. This can include personalized stories, impact updates, and donation requests that resonate with individual supporters.
Multichannel Approach: AI tools can help you optimize your communication strategy across different channels, including email, social media, and direct mail. By tailoring your message and approach to each channel, you can maximize donor engagement and response rates.
Timely and Relevant Follow-ups: AI-powered automation can help you send timely, personalized follow-ups to donors, expressing gratitude for their support and updating them on the impact of their contributions. This can foster donor loyalty and encourage ongoing support for your cause.

Embracing AI tools, such as GPT models, can transform your non-profit organization’s content generation, marketing, and donor communications, ultimately boosting your fundraising efforts. By integrating AI-generated content and personalized communications into your strategy, you can build stronger relationships with donors, attract new supporters, and drive long-term success for your non-profit organization.

To explore the potential of AI and learn more about Snowball Fundraising’s cutting-edge fundraising solutions, schedule a demo with our team today. Propel your non-profit’s fundraising to new heights with Snowball Fundraising by your side.

The post Empower Non-Profit Fundraising with AI first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

Combat Card Testing in Online Fundraising: Strategies and Solutions for Non-Profits

Isaiah — Mon, 08 May 2023 19:09:28 +0000

Non-profit organizations often face various challenges when it comes to securing their online fundraising platforms. One significant threat that requires attention is card testing. In this blog post, we will delve into the issue of card testing, its associated risks, and effective solutions to prevent it, including Address Verification Service, donation limits, advanced fraud detection and monitoring tools, and reCAPTCHA. Discover how Snowball Fundraising’s unique machine learning technology dynamically requires verification to help protect your organization.

What is Card Testing?

Card testing is a fraudulent practice where cybercriminals use automated scripts to test stolen credit card information. They attempt small transactions on various websites, including online fundraising platforms, to determine if the card details are valid and active. Once they confirm a card is usable, they use it for larger fraudulent purchases or sell the information on the dark web.

Understanding the Risks:

Chargebacks: If a stolen card is used on your platform, the legitimate cardholder may dispute the charge, leading to chargebacks. Chargebacks can negatively impact your organization’s reputation and finances, as well as increase the likelihood of incurring fees or penalties from payment processors.
Loss of revenue: Fraudulent transactions, refunds, and chargebacks can lead to significant revenue loss. This can be particularly damaging for non-profit organizations that rely on donations to support their missions and programs.
Increased processing fees: Credit card companies may charge higher processing fees for organizations with a history of fraudulent transactions. These increased costs can strain your non-profit’s budget and divert funds from essential programs and services.
Damaged reputation: Repeated instances of card testing and associated fraudulent transactions can tarnish your organization’s reputation. Donors may be hesitant to support organizations perceived as insecure, potentially resulting in reduced donations and support.

Snowball’s all-in-one fundraising software makes it easy to SAFELY raise more for your nonprofit.

Preventing Card Testing:

Address Verification Service (AVS): Implement AVS to compare the billing address provided by the donor with the address on file with the credit card company. This helps identify discrepancies and prevent fraudulent transactions.
Donation limits: Set daily or monthly donation limits to minimize the risk of large fraudulent transactions. This can also deter fraudsters from targeting your platform, as they often seek targets with fewer restrictions.
Advanced fraud detection and monitoring tools: Use advanced tools to analyze transaction patterns and identify suspicious activity. Snowball Fundraising’s unique machine learning technology dynamically requires verification, helping to detect and prevent card testing more effectively than traditional methods.
reCAPTCHA: Incorporate reCAPTCHA on your donation page to confirm that users are human and not automated scripts. This simple step can effectively reduce card testing attempts and deter fraudsters from targeting your platform.
Educate your team: Train your staff and volunteers to recognize the signs of card testing and fraudulent transactions. Ensure they understand the proper procedures for reporting suspicious activity and escalating concerns to the appropriate team members.

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies and leveraging advanced technology like Snowball Fundraising’s machine learning-based verification, non-profit organizations can effectively combat card testing and maintain a secure online fundraising platform. Sign up for a demo or create an account today to experience how our technology can help safeguard your donations. Use the discount code “SAFEDONATIONS” for a special discount on our services. Protecting your organization’s security and maintaining donor trust are crucial for the long-term success of your non-profit.

The post Combat Card Testing in Online Fundraising: Strategies and Solutions for Non-Profits first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

5 Audiences to Consider When Designing Your Nonprofit Brand

Seth Patrick — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:36:45 +0000

As your nonprofit develops a marketing strategy, your goal will be to stand out from similar organizations and help your audience connect your marketing materials back to your organization. An essential tool that fulfills both of these purposes is your nonprofit brand.

You’re probably familiar with the idea of branding as it applies to for-profit companies’ selling their products and services to customers. For example, you’d probably recognize the Nike swoosh or McDonald’s golden arches anywhere. Nonprofit branding includes some of the same elements as for-profit brands, like logo design, colour schemes, and messaging strategies. However, the main purpose of your nonprofit’s brand is to allow audiences to form meaningful connections with your mission rather than a product you’re selling.

Developing a brand for this purpose can become complicated when you consider the complexity of a nonprofit’s audience. Your brand needs to appeal to various groups, all of whom have unique interests and further your mission in different ways. In this guide, we’ll look at six audiences to keep in mind when branding your nonprofit:

Supporters
Nonprofit Leadership
Individuals Your Organization Serves
Corporate Sponsors
Policymakers

As you make key nonprofit branding decisions, record them in a single document. This living brand guide will serve as a reference for anyone inside or outside your organization who creates marketing materials for your nonprofit. Let’s get started!

1. Supporters

Supporters are the lifeblood of any nonprofit. They provide key funding, do valuable volunteer work, and make other efforts that allow your organization to fund its mission and increase its impact. To keep them engaged long-term, center their needs and interests in your branding decisions.

Consider how to appeal to your supporters through your nonprofit’s:

Colours. Colour psychology applies heavily to branding because supporters associate certain colours with characteristics of your organization. For example, green is a favourite colour of environmental nonprofits because of its association with growth and prosperity. Meanwhile, health-related organizations often use red because it represents strength and passion.

Fonts. To add visual variety and draw supporters in, use two or three brand typefaces across your marketing materials, standardizing one for headings and one for body text. Also, ensure your fonts are easily legible and don’t distract from your message.

Logo. Use your brand colours and fonts to design a simple but memorable logo, which helps supporters connect the content your nonprofit creates to your mission.

Imagery. Any graphics or photos you use should reflect positively on your organization, and make sure to consider the emotional response you want supporters to have when they see those images.

Once you record these details in your brand guide, incorporate them into all of your communications, from social media posts to donor thank-you letters. Consistency is key for supporters to have repeated exposure to your various brand elements, which is necessary to create a recognizable brand for your nonprofit.

2. Nonprofit Leadership

Your brand will best reflect your nonprofit if staff members from across the organization have input on developing it. Specifically, they can help in developing a messaging style that will represent your mission. Compare the ways that each of them describe your organization to help develop a consistent tone for your nonprofit’s communications.

Board members can also help in brand development as they represent your nonprofit in addition to providing organizational oversight. Consider what your board members value and how they help connect your community to your cause. Also, creating branded content featuring board members can add a level of authority to your messages while allowing them to express your organization’s importance in the community in their own words.

3. Individuals Your Organization Serves

When considering how your brand appeals to the individuals your organization serves, your primary focus should be on storytelling. Loop’s guide to best practices in nonprofit web design points out that sharing stories about your nonprofit’s impact in your marketing materials can help all of your audiences connect emotionally with your mission. However, you need to do so in a way that considers the needs and interests of those who benefit from that impact.

First, keep each individual’s preferences in mind when you ask them if they’d be willing to share their stories. Some people will be open to sharing publicly how they benefited from your organization’s work, while others may ask that you protect their privacy by not sharing their names or photos.

Once someone consents to sharing their story with your audience, double check with them before you make the story public and run the message by them before posting it. Let them know how you’ll be sharing this message as well. Some common places where nonprofits tell stories include:

Pull out quotes on your nonprofit website accompanied by photos
Social media spotlight posts
Written interviews published in your newsletter or on your blog
Video testimonials

Pay close attention as individuals tell their stories so you can share the details accurately. Also, make sure to be sensitive in your portrayals of these people but still maintain a tone consistent with your organization’s brand. Include storytelling guidelines in your brand guide to refer back to as you create content that takes this audience into consideration.

4. Corporate Sponsors

Many businesses give back to their communities by sponsoring nonprofits. Large corporations provide sponsorships as part of their corporate social responsibility programs, and smaller businesses often build strong connections with their local communities to help create positive change. According to Double the Donation’s guide to corporate sponsorships, partnering with businesses can boost your nonprofit’s credibility in your community and attract new supporters, besides providing financial support.

When you approach a potential sponsor, they’ll likely look at your organization’s brand as they decide whether to partner with you. To make your brand appeal to corporate sponsors, make sure to:

- Highlight your nonprofit’s values. The most effective sponsorship agreements are made between organizations whose values align, so make sure sponsors can easily recognize your mission through your messaging and visuals.

Focus on professionalism. In return for their support, your nonprofit will typically promote your sponsor by featuring their name and logo alongside yours in marketing materials. If your branded content looks professional, potential sponsors may be more inclined to support you in return for your promotion.

Feature past successes. Discuss your impact through stories and statistics when publishing information on your website or reaching out directly to potential sponsors. This shows them that your organization makes a strong impact and is therefore worth supporting.

Your brand guide can also serve as a reference when you create content promoting your sponsors. While it’s important to take their preferences into account, your marketing materials should still reflect your nonprofit’s brand. This creates consistency in your outreach. Plus, if any companies push back against your designs, you’ll have a concrete document to justify your choices.

5. Policymakers

If your nonprofit runs advocacy campaigns, policymakers will likely take an interest in your organization and come into frequent contact with your brand. Consistency in messaging across your branded content is especially important in appealing to this audience because their support is essential to creating positive, lasting change in your community.

In particular, focus on ensuring a strongly written mission statement. Your mission is the driving force behind all of your organization’s efforts, and you should be able to summarize it in a descriptive, actionable sentence. Make sure your statement uses the same tone and word choice as in your other marketing materials. Then, display it prominently on your website so policymakers can find it quickly when they browse your site.

Also, include your mission statement on the first page of your brand guide. This way, you can easily reference it as you prepare communication materials for your audience of policymakers. Doing this is also a general best practice to ensure your entire marketing strategy is mission-driven.

There is a need for nonprofits to cater to a general audience, but prioritizing the specific audiences outlined in this guide will make your brand a more effective tool to further your mission. Remember also that your audiences will change over time, so revisit your branding strategy regularly. Lastly, consider partnering with a creative design agency to strengthen your branding and appeal to all essential audiences. Good luck!

Take a Personalized Tour

Schedule a demo with one of our fundraising consultants. We’ll show you how the Snowball platform has benefited other nonprofit organizations, and how it can help you.

The post 5 Audiences to Consider When Designing Your Nonprofit Brand first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

7 Donation Page Tips to Raise More for Your Nonprofit

Snowball Fundraising — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 14:43:34 +0000

A donation page is the backbone of your online fundraising efforts. Located on your nonprofit’s website, it has the power to drive donations, generate useful donor data, and boost engagement.

If your nonprofit is having a hard time raising funds online, we’ve got you covered. Here at Snowball, we specialize in helping nonprofits build fully functioning donation pages. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use your donation page to build a strong foundation for online fundraising. Here’s what we’ll cover:

Donation Page FAQs
Features of an Effective Donation Page
7 Donation Page Best Practices
Partnering With Snowball for the Best Donation Pages

Ready to take your online giving to the next level? Let’s get started!

Start accepting online donations with Snowball

Donation Page FAQs

Donation pages allow nonprofits to reach new fundraising heights by making it easier for donors to lend their support online.

While we’ve briefly touched on the importance of a donation page, let’s take a closer look at what it all entails by answering some common questions:

What should a donation page include?

The goal of a donation page is to make online giving quick and easy. To ensure your online fundraising efforts are a success, include these essential elements in your donation page:

Mission Statement: Draw donors into your organization with a clear mission statement that outlines your purpose and conveys a clear need for support.
Donation Form: A donation form is where gifts are collected and processed. It should be embedded into your donation page and include basic form fields like name, contact information, donation amount, and billing information.
Recurring Giving Option: Recurring donations generate more support for your nonprofit in the long run. Place the option in a prominent location, like right after the donor enters their payment information, and provide different scheduled giving options, like monthly or quarterly, so donors can set up a plan that works best for them.
Gift Matching Information: Promote matching gifts programs to encourage eligible donors to begin the process and receive more information about corporate giving.
Thank You Page: Configure your donation page to immediately direct donors to a thank you page when they’re done. This proves that your organization acknowledges and appreciates their gift, encouraging donors to give again.

With these key elements, your donation page is sure to stand out and build rapport with supporters.

What makes an effective donation page?

Rather than filling out a lengthy form by hand and sending a check through the mail, donation pages allow donors to give with the click of a button. The most effective donation pages are also:

Customizable: Online donation pages offer flexibility to design and map out donation forms that are consistent with the rest of your branding. You’ll also be able to alter key elements such as the number of fields a donor has to fill out.
User friendly: Most of the installation and initial creation of the donation page should be handled by the provider. Once the form is up and running, you won’t have to spend an excessive amount of time with upkeep.
Mobile optimized: Create a form that works well on computers and mobile devices. Mobile-responsive donation forms will adjust to fit the screen size of the device, making the form easier to fill out.

By incorporating these three qualities into your donation page, you’re providing both your supporters and your organization with the best possible experience.

How do donation pages support your fundraising efforts?

A donation page helps turn prospective donors into committed supporters. In fact, it’s an essential fundraising tool that solidifies their relationship to your organization.

When fully-optimized, a donation page can support your larger fundraising efforts by:

Preventing donation abandonment: If your donation page is too slow to load or too complicated to fill out, a potential donor might abandon their gift. Donation software that offers streamlined experiences and plenty of customization options will help to reduce incomplete donations.
Reaching a wider audience: Accepting donations online provides donors with more ways to give. With more donating options, your nonprofit may even expand your donor base as new donors feel compelled to make a gift once you’ve made the process easier.
Collecting donor data: Online donation form software makes it easy to collect data from your donors. With that data at your fingertips, you can continually improve your fundraising with what you’ve learned about your supporters.

With all these benefits, it’s no wonder that so many nonprofits are turning to donation pages to fundraise.

7 Donation Page Best Practices

Now let’s consider how to make a donation page that’s an asset to your nonprofit, rather than just a static means of collecting money. These steps build on one another, so once you’ve got a firm grasp on one, shift your energy to the next.

1. Keep Your Forms Simple

Once you have a donor on your page, you want to make sure they fulfill their intended purpose quickly. That’s why your donation page should be free from confusing questions, unnecessary fields, and irrelevant links that distract users from completing the donation process.

You can still include images and text that enhance your donation page, but don’t drive donors away before they have a chance to finish their donation.

For instance, you should briefly convey to donors where their donations are going and that the form is secure. Use a combination of text and images to help tell your story, adding to the giving experience in a way that doesn’t confuse or distract donors with additional calls to action or links away from the donation form.

Adding a single, emotional image and compelling, concise copy at the top of your donation page will remind donors of why they’re giving in the first place.

It’s also important for your donation forms to stay short. The quicker a donor can get through the process, the more likely they are to confirm their donation.

Let’s say that you’re raising funds for a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, and your donation form includes several fields to get to know your new donors better. While this information can be useful for your donor profiles, it’s probably more effective to collect just the necessary information, like:

The donor’s name
Payment and billing information
The donor’s email

Donors don’t want to fill out a donation form that requires them to divulge an overwhelming amount of information. Allow your supporters to quickly finish the donation process, and you can capture additional information later.

2. Add Social Media Sharing Buttons

Whether they’re commenting, liking, snapping, or retweeting, practically everyone is making meaningful connections on social media. Use that to your organization’s advantage by encouraging donors to spread the word about your nonprofit and motivate others to lend their support.

Include social media sharing buttons on your donation form’s thank you page so that, after a donor contributes to your nonprofit, they can post their donation on Facebook or Twitter.

Naturally, these sharing capabilities wouldn’t reveal any personal information about the donation, but it would encourage your donors to spread the word about their contribution in general, and perhaps persuade more advocates to give to your cause.

3. Match Your Donation Page to Your Brand

Your nonprofit has worked diligently to create a memorable brand. If your donation page doesn’t reflect that brand, then there will be a disconnect.

Imagine a donor gets redirected to a form that doesn’t match your branding. The uncertainty may cause donors to abandon their intended gift.

Paying attention to the following rules of design helps ensure donors are captivated and reassured from the moment they reach your donation page:

Visual Hierarchy: Arrange elements in order of importance, with essential information such as your mission statement and donation request at the top of the page. Users shouldn’t have to scroll endlessly to give to your cause.
Color Palette: Ensure your donation page’s color scheme corresponds with your nonprofit’s brand so supporters can immediately trust and recognize that the page belongs to you.

Imagery: Adding imagery to your donation page helps make a compelling case for your ask. For example, you could include images of the communities you serve to evoke emotion.

When these principles of design are taken into account, there’s a better chance that users will immediately recognize the donation page as yours and take action.

4. Get Creative With Your Calls to Action

When you create a call to action that has unique language, donors get a final reminder that their gift is about to have an important impact on your organization.

Instead of going with something traditional like “Submit,” choose a more compelling call to action (CTA) that will result in a conversion. For instance, you could use a phrase like “Donate Now! or “Submit Your Gift!” to create a confirmation that matches the donor’s action.

Consider the following best practices for donation page CTAs:

Use strong, specific language like “Donate to End Childhood Cancer” to inspire immediate action.
Surround your CTAs with white space to make them stand out.
Design your buttons with a bold color that corresponds with your brand.
Add a “Donate Now” button to your website’s main navigation bar, so supporters can easily access your online donation page.

With effective CTAs, your site users will have easy, convenient ways to get involved.

5. Prove That Your Donation Page is Secure

Online giving requires donors to divulge sensitive financial information. That’s why letting donors know that their payments are secure in your online donation form should be a top priority.

Prove that your donation page is secure by:

Keeping your website updated
Using tokenization to safely store your donors’ information
Investing in a payment processor that maintains PCI compliance

When donors know that your nonprofit is taking precautions to protect their information, they will feel more confident giving.

6. Include Suggested Amounts

Offering different giving levels on your online donation form will help encourage donors to give larger contributions and can speed up the donation process.

Think about it. Instead of landing on a donation page with an empty field next to “Donation Amount,” your supporters see various levels ranging from $10 to $250.

On the first donation page, a donor might give a more conservative amount. On the second, the options that have been laid out for them lead to a more generous donation because it’s more convenient to just click a button rather than enter a specific amount.

For example, if John Smith lands on your online donation form with the intention of giving $15, but there is a $20 suggested donation amount, he’s more likely to give $20.

To further encourage donors to use the preset donation amounts, you can tell them the impact that their donation will make. Instead of just having a button that says $20, for example, let donors know that their donation can help provide a day’s worth of meals to three children.

With more specific donation amounts, you’ll be able to motivate donors to give more because they can see how their donation will impact your cause.

Of course, you should always include an “other” field where donors can fill in their own amount in case there isn’t a gift size they want to donate.

7. Save Cards on File

Mastering the art of securing a card on file is what drives long-term relationships and long-term value for your nonprofit. If you haven’t given it much thought before, now’s the time to do it.

When a donor gives you their card information and wants you to save it, they’re saying two things:

I support your mission and like donating to your nonprofit, and I plan on doing it again in the future.
I don’t mind giving you my credit card information because I trust you and you make it easy to do so.

An effective donation page will naturally convince donors to put their credit card on file, because you’ve already proven how easy it is to support you.

That’s the philosophy behind our Snowball donation tools. Nonprofits using Snowball donation pages have seen up to 52% of donors choosing to put a card on file.

Partner with Snowball for the Best Donation Pages

Snowball donation pages are the perfect solution for nonprofits. We make it easy for organizations of every size and budget to create streamlined donation pages that accomplish everything we discussed above.

No matter what kinds of tools you use, though, it all starts with making a high-performing donation page that won’t slow down your donors. Remember to always prioritize the donor’s experience above all else. Respect their time, and they’ll appreciate your organization even more.

If you’re interested in learning more about fundraising, check out these additional resources:

Complete Text-to-Give Guide for Nonprofits and Fundraisers. Looking for more information on mobile fundraising? Check out our complete guide on text-to-give tools.
15 Best Nonprofit Websites + Tips for Making Your Own. Having a well-designed nonprofit website is the key to success. Check out the 15 best nonprofit websites for inspiration and follow our tips for making your own.
Virtual Auctions: How to Plan A Fruitful Event in 5 Steps. Virtual auctions bring a favorite charity event to the digital realm. This guide walks you through the main steps for pulling off a successful event.

Snowball donation pages are the perfect solution for nonprofits.

Take your fundraising efforts to the next level today!

The post 7 Donation Page Tips to Raise More for Your Nonprofit first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

Giving Tuesday: The Ultimate Guide for Fundraising Success

Snowball Fundraising — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 17:59:02 +0000

Giving Tuesday is an annual celebration in which people come together to spread kindness and support charitable causes. What started as a grassroots movement has transformed into a worldwide phenomenon, with a whopping $2.7 billion raised in 2021 alone. If your nonprofit hasn’t already joined this global movement, then you’re missing out on a major opportunity to gain valuable support.

Nonprofits can leverage the excitement surrounding Giving Tuesday to tell their stories, boost engagement, and drive donations.

In this guide, we’ll provide helpful strategies for rallying long-term support on Giving Tuesday. Here’s what we’ll cover:

Giving Tuesday FAQs
5 Strategies for a Successful Giving Tuesday Campaign
Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Giving Tuesday Software

Ready to raise more for your cause on Giving Tuesday? Let’s get started!

Empower your fundraising strategies with Snowball’s comprehensive software.

Giving Tuesday FAQs

To discover what Giving Tuesday entails and how it can support your organization’s larger fundraising efforts, start by reviewing these common questions. With this foundational knowledge, your annual day of giving should be a breeze!

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that encourages people from around the world to give to charitable causes. Founded in 2012, the movement has inspired millions to lend their time, talents, funds, and support to nonprofits like yours.

Although it’s centered around a specific day, Giving Tuesday represents a year-round effort to build a more equitable and just world.

When is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is an annual celebration dedicated to generosity that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. Giving Tuesday 2022 will be held on Tuesday, November 29.

Because nearly half of all annual charitable donations take place in November, this fundraising opportunity is vital for connecting with donors and securing their support. To be competitive, nonprofits are encouraged to plan their outreach efforts as soon as possible and launch their campaigns at least two weeks prior to Giving Tuesday.

How can you participate in Giving Tuesday?

There is no registration or cost involved in participating in Giving Tuesday. In fact, all organizations, 501(c)(3) or otherwise, are welcome to join the movement.

If you’re an organization, you can promote opportunities to help your community and beyond. Here are some no-cost ways you can encourage your team and others to support your organization’s mission:

Show kindness to those around you.
Volunteer virtually or in a socially distanced way.
Devote your voice and platform to a cause.
Show gratitude to frontline workers and those who aid your community.
Use social media to spread the word.
Post using the hashtag #GivingTuesday.
Repost Giving Tuesday social media content.
Announce your participation in Giving Tuesday to your networks.

If you’re simply looking to participate as an individual or in support of another cause, you can look into how you can give time, money, time, or goods to those in need.

5 Strategies for a Successful Giving Tuesday Campaign

A common mistake nonprofits make on Giving Tuesday is going in without a concrete, detailed plan. Without a solid strategy, you might get a few donations by simply posting on social media and including links to your online donation form, but you won’t maximize your organization’s potential.

Follow these strategies to make your Giving Tuesday campaign more effective:

1. Narrow Down a Giving Tuesday Campaign

Choosing the right Giving Tuesday campaign is crucial in order to make it resonate with donors and inspire meaningful action. Here are some popular campaigns to get you started:

Mobile Giving Campaign: Mobile giving adds convenience and ease to the donation process. Donors simply send a predetermined keyword, like “GivingTuesday,” to your text-to-give phone number, and they will automatically receive a link with instructions to give.
Matching Gifts Drive: Certain companies financially match the donations made by their employees, usually at a 1:1 ratio. These matched gifts allow you to multiply your fundraising revenue on Giving Tuesday with little to no effort. All your nonprofit has to do is add a matching gift search tool to your donation form to allow donors to check their eligibility.
Charity Auction: Charity auctions are popular among donors because they receive something tangible in return for their charitable donations. To run an effective auction, procure items that your target demographic will find appealing and send out personalized invitations to donors likely to submit larger bids.
Virtual Fundraising Event: Virtual events allow donors to participate from any location. As a result, nonprofits can engage larger audiences with fewer additional costs. Whether you host a virtual gala, walk-a-thon, or benefit concert, schedule live appeals to keep participants engaged and donating.

If you’re still having trouble deciding on a campaign, check out our comprehensive list of top Giving Tuesday ideas for inspiration.

Once your nonprofit has settled on a campaign or event, start promoting it as soon as possible. Post about it on social media, send emails, hand out flyers, and run digital ads. This multi-channel marketing approach will provide you with multiple touchpoints for reaching supporters in the months and weeks leading up to Giving Tuesday.

2. Create a Dedicated Campaign Page

Having a dedicated Giving Tuesday campaign page on your nonprofit website can help widen your list of potential donors, expand your network, and cultivate deeper relationships with the supporters who give.

To be successful, your campaign page should include:

Organization information: During your Giving Tuesday campaign, you will likely be exposed to potential donors who may not know about your mission and want to learn more. Provide background information about your nonprofit, including the history of your cause and any useful statistics to back up the need for support.
Campaign details: Describe the current campaign you’re hosting and include an actionable goal that will inspire visitors. For instance, your goal might be to “raise $50,000 for childhood cancer research during our Giving Tuesday campaign by 11:59 p.m. on November 29, 2022.”
Contact information fields: Ask supporters to enter their full name, phone number, and email address so you can collect important data and communicate with them going forward. This is especially useful for post-campaign donation receipts and thank-you messages.
Donation form: Include an online donation form to process donations. This form should include suggested giving amounts, payment information fields, and a recurring gift option.
Fundraising thermometer: Embed an automatically updating fundraising thermometer on your campaign page. When donors see that you’re close to reaching your overall fundraising goal, they tend to be more inclined to give.

Drive traffic to your Giving Tuesday campaign page by including links to it in all of your solicitations, correspondences, and social media posts.

3. Spread the Word on Social Media

Social media is a valuable resource when it comes to driving support on Giving Tuesday. With the right posting strategy, social media can help spread the word about your cause and help you secure much-needed donations.

Certain social media conglomerates will even support participating nonprofits. In 2021, Meta matched $8 million in qualifying donations made on Facebook during the day-long Giving Tuesday celebration.

Follow these steps to implement a social media strategy on Giving Tuesday:

Use hashtags. #GivingTuesday receives millions of impressions each year. To help your posts stand out, use the generic Giving Tuesday hashtag alongside one that is specific to your organization. For example, if your campaign is aimed at rescuing dogs from a local shelter, you could use the hashtag #SaveTheDogsGivingTuesday22. Encourage supporters to add the hashtag to their relevant posts and watch it gain traction.
Leverage multiple platforms. Each social media channel has features that can help you engage with your audience in meaningful ways. Well before the celebration, launch a fundraising campaign page on Facebook. Then, on the big day, answer questions on Instagram Live and post hour-by-hour fundraising updates to Twitter.
Brand your posts. Branding your social media content to include Giving Tuesday materials lets supporters know that you have joined the movement. Add the Giving Tuesday heart logo to relevant posts and change your profile picture or cover photo to include an overlay of the logo as well.

Whether you post a Tiktok of your CEO giving an important message or a longform testimonial on Facebook, make sure to include a link to your campaign page and donation form across your social media accounts.

4. Tell a Compelling Story Through Video

Your Giving Tuesday campaign should tell a story about who your organization is and what you’re trying to accomplish. To achieve the highest level of impact, you also need to evoke empathy and inspire supporters to act.

Nonprofit videos are an effective way to check all of these boxes. Whether your nonprofit is launching a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign or hosting a silent auction, you could benefit from having a video asset. For example, you could use a campaign video to describe your organization’s mission and make a compelling case for why you deserve support.

Testimonials are another powerful video storytelling tool. This type of video content puts a face to your organization, helping donors understand how their support directly impacts the lives of real people.

Plus, it’s simple to incorporate testimonials into any existing campaign, even at the last minute. You don’t need a fancy camera, professional lighting, or a seasoned director. All that’s required is an existing constituent who’s willing to talk about their personal experience and a smartphone camera. Once you’ve filmed your video, you can upload it to any number of free video hosting service websites, such as YouTube or Vimeo, and share it from there.

5. Reach Out After the Campaign

Following up with supporters after every donation is critical for retention. Being attentive to your donors and showing genuine appreciation is the secret to cultivating long-term support. So as soon as you receive a donation notification, be sure to thank your supporters for their gift—within 24 hours, if possible. Don’t have time to mail out individual thank-you notes or make phone calls? No problem. Send them a quick thank-you video from your executive director, a board chair, or an impacted constituent.

In addition to thanking supporters, you should encourage them to share your Giving Tuesday campaign with their networks—whether that be via social media, email, or text messaging. Include a clear message in your donation confirmation page asking supporters to share your campaign on your behalf.

A great and low-effort way to generate support on social media is to turn your campaign theme or title into a hashtag. A well-crafted hashtag can make your campaign more memorable and easy to understand at a glance. Tag your Giving Tuesday social media posts with your unique hashtag while urging supporters to use it in their own feeds.

Wrapping Up: Choose the Right Giving Tuesday Software

Snowball’s all-in-one fundraising platform makes it easy for your nonprofit to raise more on Giving Tuesday. Consider how these powerful features can support your fundraising efforts:

Text-to-Give: Allow supporters to give anytime, anywhere with our flexible and convenient Text-to-Give fundraising tool. It makes giving on the go swift, simple, and secure.
Customized donation pages: Snowball donation pages are the perfect solution for nonprofits. We make it easy for organizations of every size and budget to create streamlined donation pages that fulfill all your needs.
Payment processing: Snowball offers secure, PCI-compliant payment processing with minimal setup required, so you can accept and process your Giving Tuesday donations immediately.

By making the most of our software and industry best practices, you’ll bring in significant revenue on Giving Tuesday and transition into the year-end giving season with ease.

If you’re interested in learning more about fundraising, check out these additional resources:

Fundraising Software | 24+ Low-Cost Providers for Nonprofits. Digital tools can streamline your Giving Tuesday efforts. Check out our favorite affordable fundraising software providers.
20 Giving Tuesday Ideas + Tips to Raise More for Your Cause. If your nonprofit is searching for unique and engaging Giving Tuesday ideas, check out this guide for our favorites and expert tips for how to implement them.
15 Best Nonprofit Websites + Tips for Making Your Own. Looking to revamp your website for Giving Tuesday? Check out our favorite examples of effective nonprofit websites as well as tips for making the most of yours.

Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to raise more for your cause. Power your efforts with Snowball’s best-in-class fundraising software.

The post Giving Tuesday: The Ultimate Guide for Fundraising Success first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

Top 5 Mobile Fundraising Campaigns & How to Create Your Own

Snowball Fundraising — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:39:48 +0000

Mobile fundraising represents a growing trend in the mission-driven sector. According to research from Nonprofits Source, 25% of donors complete their donations on mobile devices.

If your organization hasn’t already incorporated mobile giving into your fundraising strategy, you’re missing out on an opportunity to drive donations in a way that’s engaging and convenient for everyone involved.

These five highly effective mobile fundraising campaigns are great examples of how successful a mobile fundraising campaign can be when the right principles are applied and followed. Here are the five case studies we’re going to explore:

The Red Cross’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort
Alicia Keys’ Campaign for Keep A Child Alive
President Obama’s Text-to-Give Campaign
The NFL’s Partnership with United Way to Encourage Youth Fitness
The UNICEF Tap Project

Then, we’ll guide you through each step of creating your own mobile fundraising campaign. Ready to unlock the power of mobile fundraising? Let’s get started!

Unlock the power of mobile fundraising with Snowball.

5 Best Fundraising Campaigns

Below are the top 5 most noteworthy and successful mobile fundraising campaigns from the past decade.

1. The Red Cross’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort

One of the most notable and widely talked about mobile fundraising campaigns of the last ten years was the Red Cross’s Haiti earthquake relief fund campaign. To this day, it is still one of the top reference points when people speak about text-to-give. It was one of the first majorly successful mobile fundraising efforts.

For an overwhelming majority of people surveyed, the Haiti campaign was the first time they had ever used texting to donate to charity.

In the end, the Red Cross’s mobile giving campaign raised over tens of millions of dollars that went toward:

General emergency relief
Rebuilding shelter
Water and sanitation
Disease prevention
Health and wellness

The immensely successful “Text HAITI to 90999” campaign may have only lasted a few months, but the impact it had on mobile giving as a whole is still felt in the nonprofit realm today.

Because of the unbelievable outpouring of support, disaster relief efforts from 2010 forward were able to be funded with the help of this easy-to-use technology. Not only that, but it also opened the door for other nonprofit organizations to use text-to-give as a viable means of fundraising.

Here are some of the key points that helped the Red Cross succeed:

They promoted their mobile fundraiser early and often.
They showed transparency in how they used their donations.
Their website still displays how those mobile donations were used.
They appealed to donors’ hearts using videos, photos, and moving words.

With these key points in mind, your organization will be well on its way to major mobile fundraising success.

2. Alicia Keys’ Campaign for Keep A Child Alive

As a part of her involvement as co-founder of the Keep A Child Alive foundation, Alicia Keys launched one of the most inspiring and successful mobile fundraising efforts of the past ten years.

The goal of Keep A Child Alive is to bring awareness to and eradicate the AIDS epidemic in India and sub-Saharan Africa.

With the help of mobile donors, Keep A Child Alive provides families and orphans affected by the AIDS crisis in Africa and India with:

Life-saving AIDS medication
Shelter and orphan care centers
Grief counseling

Using her influence as an internationally-acclaimed superstar, Keys asked everyone who attended her sold-out concerts to text “ALIVE” to 90999. Her calls to action at live events, coupled with her simple but effective advertising, helped spread the word about her campaign like wildfire.

From text message micro-donations ($5 to $10) alone, the campaign was able to raise over $40,000 in just a few short months during the Fall of 2008.

Keys, as a global ambassador and co-founder of the Keep A Child Alive movement, used her status as a touring musician and an international advocate to incite her fans to donate to the cause. She took time out of each of her concerts that year to explain the process and the importance of contributing to the fund. Keys also appeared on American Idol to make a plea to a wider audience. Her brilliant efforts were rewarded in kind, and the foundation continues to flourish to this day.

Here are some of the key points that helped Keep A Child Alive Succeed:

The efforts were promoted at live events.
Instructions for how to donate were made clear and easy-to-follow.
They used action words in their campaign, such as “Change,” “Act,” and more.
They also used powerful statistics to back up their claims and inspire donors to act.

Chances are, your organization hosts live events from time to time. Fundraising events like concerts and 5K races are the perfect places to promote your mobile fundraising campaign, just like Alicia Keys did.

3. President Obama’s Text-to-Give Campaign

Text-to-give isn’t just for charities, nonprofits, and churches. Other organizations, such as political campaigns, have hopped on the mobile giving train.

In 2012, both President Obama and Governor Romney instituted mobile fundraising efforts to raise money for their campaigns. Because of federal regulations, exact numbers could never be released, but it’s estimated that Governor Romney raised under $2,000 from his text-to-give campaign, whereas President Obama raised upwards of an astonishing $800,000.

The chief difference between the two was that President Obama had previously used texting as a means of rallying supporters back in 2008. His supporters were familiar with the medium, and therefore it came naturally to them when he asked them once again at his campaign rallies to band together and support his efforts.

At each of his rallies, President Obama was able to ask thousands of his supporters at a time to take out their phones to donate and get the word out about the vote.

Not only has he been big on text-to-give for his own political campaigns, he has also been a huge proponent of the Red Cross’s disaster relief efforts, often mentioning their mobile fundraising campaigns in his own speeches and national addresses.

Here are some of the key points that helped President Obama’s mobile campaign succeed:

President Obama incorporated donation buttons on his campaign website that read “Quick Donate: $5,” which made it easy and intuitive for donors to give on the spot.
He optimized his campaign site for mobile so that constituents could give through online donation pages as well as through text messages.
He also promoted his mobile fundraising campaign at every rally and event on the campaign trail.

Once again, it’s clear that promoting your campaign at live events greatly affects your campaign’s efficacy. Optimizing your website for mobile also has an obvious impact on mobile donations.

4. The NFL’s Partnership with United Way to Encourage Youth Fitness

In 2008, the United Way and the NFL teamed up for a great cause. The text-to-give campaign was launched during Super Bowl XLII, and proceeds went directly to the United Way’s funds to fight childhood obesity.

Using a 10-second TV commercial, athlete Tom Brady invited Super Bowl watchers to take out their phones and donate. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Even though this effort predated the Red Cross’s HAITI campaign by two years and mobile fundraising was still largely unheard of, the United Way’s mobile fundraiser was extremely successful.

They managed to raise awareness for youth fitness as well as an astounding $10,000 the same night that the commercial aired. More than 2,000 people responded immediately to the call-to-donate.

Since then, the United Way has launched several other successful mobile campaigns, but this effort was one of the most notable for its immediate, rapid response. Each year, the NFL actually donates a free commercial spot to the United Way. This donation is the NFL’s way of helping end childhood obesity.

Here are some of the factors that helped the United Way succeed:

They captured the attention of a large audience using a commercial.
The campaign promoted their efforts on a local level as well as a national level.
They incorporated actionable steps to solve the problems they set out to fix. Bus stop advertising a mobile fundraising campaign

Your organization may not be able to buy a commercial during the SuperBowl, but you can advertise your mobile fundraising efforts on local channels, in local magazines, or at bus stops.

Getting the word out is one of the most important components of a successful mobile fundraising campaign. If you follow their lead, you’re bound to be successful in your own efforts.

5. The UNICEF Tap Project

“How long can you go without touching your phone?”

This is the question that UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) asked of people during their famous Tap Project.

While the app was live, users would download the app and aim not to use their phone for as long as they could possibly stand. The longer each user went without touching their phone, the more clean water was donated by UNICEF to children in need. This became a viral sensation because it required close to zero effort on the user’s part.

Now that the initial sensation has died down, the Tap Project still lives on in other unique ways. You can still be challenged to give up technology for, say, 3 hours and 24 minutes. If you meet the challenge, UNICEF will still donate water on your behalf. You can also donate directly on the mobile app or through their mobile-responsive website.

Here are some of the key points that helped UNICEF succeed:

UNICEF incorporated images of the children who were affected by the potable water crisis into their mobile campaign.
They also used statistics and facts to encourage donors to take action.
They made their mobile fundraising campaign easy for all users.

Adding statistics and facts about your cause to your campaign is sure to drive engagement. Keep in mind that people want to feel as though they are making a tangible difference in the world by donating to your mission.

Steps to Creating a Successful Mobile Giving Campaign

With our favorite mobile fundraising campaigns to guide you, it’s time to look towards your own campaign. Follow these steps to ensure your mobile fundraising efforts are a success:

Incorporate Mobile Fundraising into Your Overall Strategy

Incorporating a mobile fundraising strategy into your existing fundraising strategy can be a daunting task. Before you begin, you need to answer the following questions:

Who is going to be in charge of running the mobile fundraising campaign? Getting your mobile fundraising campaign off the ground might require some staff reallocation. If you foresee needing more than just a few hours here and there reallocated from your existing staff, then it might be wise to consider hiring a new team member to take on the responsibilities associated with mobile.
What is our plan for mobile fundraising? If you need to maintain text-to-give donations every week, you’ll have to come up with an individual plan for how you incorporate those donations into your existing fundraising strategy. Likewise, if you reserve mobile fundraising for only special occasions, you’ll still need to create a contingency plan.
When will the mobile fundraising campaign take place? It’s important to determine a timeline for implementing mobile fundraising. Keep in mind that your mobile fundraising campaign promotions will need to precede your actual campaign launch. The key is to plan ahead!
Where will we tell people about our mobile fundraising plans? In addition to using your existing modes of communication to get the word out about your mobile fundraising campaign, your nonprofit can also let its donors know about mobile fundraising at a pre-planned event, such as a concert, annual gala, or church service.

Once you’ve answered all of the above questions, you can move on to the technical aspects of mobile fundraising.

Check that You’re Ready for Mobile

Make sure your mobile donation forms work well and are fully functional. You probably already have an online donation form that matches the look and feel of your nonprofit’s website. But now is the time to rework that existing online donation form so that it’s mobile-responsive.

Here are some concrete steps you can take to make sure you’re ready for mobile:

Have members of your nonprofit’s staff test your mobile donation website.
Ask your trusted peers to fill out a survey.
Widen the sample size to include long-time donors.

The key at each stage is to make sure that there are no kinks in the system. If there are any technical difficulties, you want to identify and solve them sooner rather than later.

Ask donors you trust and whose opinions matter to you to test your mobile fundraising out first. They’ll be the ones who will be honest with you and who will give you the most useful and most constructive feedback.

Verify Your Donor Information

When incorporating mobile fundraising into your existing fundraising strategy, it’s vital that you have accurate information about your donors. Consider reaching out to existing donors and having them confirm their contact information so that you can easily reach them in the future.

For instance, you can send out an email blast to your existing donor base, asking your donors to verify their email addresses. Or you can call donors to confirm their phone numbers and offer them the opportunity to get in on your mobile fundraising campaign.

After you confirm that the information you already had was accurate (or after you update it if it was not), the next step is to figure out a way to collect accurate new data. If you don’t already have a way of capturing and incorporating new donor data into your CRM system, then it’s the perfect time to look into adopting both a way to capture leads and a way to manage your constituent relationships.

Choose Your Champions

Inspire new donors to join your mobile fundraising campaign by recruiting existing donors to be advocates and influencers.

The key is to find supporters who are most likely to be your mobile fundraising champions and help you cast a wider net. Think pastors, volunteer group leaders, and the most active members of your organization. They’ll get the word out through their own social networks, families, friends, and coworkers.

Once you’ve chosen your champions, you need to not only ask for their advice, but also give them the tools necessary to spread the word. Starting with small, influential groups has been proven to be one of the best ways to make anything popular. Trends tend to trickle down from the most vocal advocates.

Set Attainable Goals

Setting a specific goal for your mobile fundraiser will make it far more attainable than if you were to send out general pleas.

For instance, if you’re a church, you’re almost always raising money in one form or another. Setting a specific, attainable goal for your next church fundraiser, like raising exactly $5,000 to build a new steeple, causes church members to take notice. When they feel like they’re helping to reach a concrete, tangible goal, people are much more inclined to donate.

When you’re planning any mobile fundraising campaign, make sure that you’re customizing your appeal in a way that entices people to get involved.

Be sure that your goals are realistic. As a good measure, you can base your expectations on your past experiences. If your donors have been reticent to adjust to new giving avenues in the past, you may want to ease them into this new transition slowly. However, if your donors have always been on board with change and adopting new ways of giving, you can adjust your expectations accordingly.

More than anything, be upfront and honest about your nonprofit’s needs and goals. You’d be surprised how willing people are to give when they feel like they know what’s going on.

Make Your Plans Known

When moving to mobile, some donors may be more hesitant than others. That’s why you need to reassure donors that when they receive messages from your nonprofit on their mobile devices, it’s all coming from you.

Of course, they probably already know that you’re the ones behind the emails that they receive, but they may not know that you’re 100% behind the text-to-give technology that they’re using.

In order to reassure donors that this new way of donating is secure, you can ask them to:

Add your nonprofit’s mobile fundraising number into their phones. You can include your nonprofit’s mobile number on business cards, information packets, and wherever else you distribute valuable information.
Mark your nonprofit’s emails as “important.” Keep your communications out of the junk folder!
Bookmark your nonprofit’s website to keep up with any updates. If your website is easily accessible, your donors and volunteers will be much more likely to check it.

Let your donors know that if they get a text message, it’s from you, not a robot. Also, stress that you won’t be spamming them, so every message, email, or text is seen as important and relevant.

Execute, Track, and Improve

The final step in launching a mobile fundraising campaign is to execute. Then, as you go along with your mobile fundraising campaign, track your progress and take note of what works well and what doesn’t.

Once you’ve gathered enough information to make an informed decision about how to move forward, you can begin to improve your methods of seeking donations.

Getting started with mobile fundraising can be an adjustment. But don’t worry, Snowball has you covered. Our team of fundraising experts will guide you through the entire process and ensure your campaigns are a success.

For more information about mobile fundraising, check out Snowball’s text-to-give service and these additional resources:

Complete Text-to-Give Guide for Nonprofits and Fundraisers. Looking for more information on mobile fundraising? Check out our complete guide on text-to-give tools.
Mobile Giving & Fundraising: Complete Intro for Nonprofits. Mobile giving is a crucial tool for fundraising in the nonprofit space. Our guide explains best practices for implementing mobile giving and why it’s necessary.
Free Fundraising Software for Nonprofits: 15+ Providers. Digital tools can streamline crucial nonprofit fundraising tasks, but software can get pricey. Check out our favorite affordable fundraising software providers!

Ready to unlock the power of mobile giving?

Partner with Snowball to launch your most successful mobile fundraising campaigns.

The post Top 5 Mobile Fundraising Campaigns & How to Create Your Own first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.

5 Things You Must Include in Your Donor Thank You Letter

Snowball Fundraising — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 14:56:16 +0000

The words are so powerful: thank you.

The thank you letter you send via mail or email when you receive a donation is an opportunity to make the donor feel amazing.

It’s your chance to show them they made the best choice in giving to your nonprofit.

But sometimes we treat the thank you letter like a formality, an item to check off the to-do list. We create the most generic form letter we can come up with and send it to everyone who gives us money.

And then we move onto the next thing on our neverending to-do list.

The thank you letter is an important step in the donor’s journey, and we should treat it as such.

To do that, here are 5 things your donor thank you letter must include:

The donor’s name. Never use friend. Ever. In most cases, the donor’s first name is appropriate. If you have an existing, formal relationship with a donor, use Mr., Ms., or Dr., if that feels right. But don’t default to the generic friend.
You can personalize your letter even further by including the gift amount and gift date. Also include the organization’s EIN, so the thank you letter can double as a tax receipt.
The words thank you. It sounds so simple, but sometimes thank you gets swapped out for we acknowledge with gratitude or a similar phrase. Thank your donor with the right words: thank you. In fact, start your letter with Thank you instead of On behalf of the Board and staff of….
Why their gift is important. Let the donor know that because of their gift, something wonderful will happen.
More Haitian children will get to go to school.
More families will get a weekly box of produce.
More people will receive free tax preparation, enabling them to get their full tax return as soon as possible.
Don’t tell your donor that their donation is helping you reach your fundraising goal. Nobody cares about your goal. Talk about a difference your donor is making.
An example of how their gift is changing lives. After sharing the why of their donation, use data to continue the story.
Your donation of $25 will provide lunch to five children.
Your donation of $50 will help a family struggling to make ends meet keep the lights on for another month.
Your donation of $100 will cover the cost of food and shelter for a cat for one month.
Setting up letter templates to provide this level of personalization takes a minute, but it isn’t difficult. And it will make an impression on your donor.
If you want a simpler approach that will work with every donation letter, just say something like:
For every donation of $50, our volunteers are able to pack a box of food for a family in need. Your gift helps us get closer to filling another box.
For every $1,500 in donations received, we move a student off our waiting list and into our program, where they can get on a path to college and a successful career. Your gift gets us closer to admitting another student into this life-changing program.
A short story about your nonprofit’s work. Now that you have let the donor know how you will use their donation, you need to share a tiny story that illustrates your organization’s impact. Think about a text you received from a recipient of services or a Facebook review and build off that.
Here are some examples:
“Maria has received weekly food boxes since her employer cut her hours back three months ago. She texted us recently: “I cannot thank you enough for helping me and my family during this difficult time. I hope to repay you someday as a volunteer. Your organization truly does good work.”
“Terrance came to us two years ago with a love of chess and a dream of going to college, but he didn’t see any way to reach his goals. Today, Terrence is a top player in the citywide chess league, and he has a list of colleges he plans to apply to. Next month, he will get to visit some of those colleges. We have matched him with a sponsor willing to pay part of his tuition not covered by a Pell Grant. There are so many Terrances in our community, just looking for a pathway to achieve their dreams.”
“When Elizabeth left her abuser, she had two children and two suitcases. She needed $1,800 to get into an apartment and start a new life. Donors like you helped us get Elizabeth and her children into safe housing and on the road to independence. ‘Covenant House was there for me when I had nowhere else to turn,’ Elizabeth wrote in a letter of thanks. ‘Without Covenant House, I might have ended up back with my abuser.’ Your donation truly matters to women like Elizabeth.”
Fleshing out these stories can take time, but they deliver an emotional wallop. Staff members and volunteers who work one-on-one with the people your organization supports have these stories. There is no need to use real names or identifying details. Keep it brief, allowing the story to speak for itself.

Take a Personalized Tour

Schedule a demo with one of our fundraising consultants. We’ll show you how the Snowball platform has benefited other nonprofit organizations, and how it can help you.

Incorporating these five things into your donor thank you letter will inspire the donor to give another donation. And another. And another.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words, but you don’t need to try as hard as you think you do. Just tell the donor exactly how their money will be used to do good. That’s what we all want, for our gift to matter.

Here are 5 more tips for writing the strongest thank you letter possible:

Be brief. Keep your letter to one page, even if you are sending it via email. Limiting your words keeps you from going on and on. When you say too much, you weaken your position and bore your reader.
Don’t ask for anything. A thank you is most powerful when it is just a thank you. Don’t ask for another donation or for the donor to sign up for a monthly gift. Don’t try to sell tickets to an upcoming event. Just say thank you.
Add a personal note. If you are sending the letter by mail, pick up a pen and say thank you, again. Write on the bottom of the letter, near the signature: Dorothy, thank you again! We could not continue our work without supporters like you.
Add to your letter for major donors. For donors who give a gift of $1,000 or more, consider making this your second sentence: We are a small organization and a gift of this size will make a big impact! (If your organization is super-small, you can use this language for gifts of $250 or more.)
For donors of $5,000 or more, consider something like this: We are a small organization, and we would not be able to feed our community without major donors like you. This gift is significant, and will make a huge impact!
Consider a hand-written thank you note. For special donors, send a hand-written thank you note. Special donors might be major donors, repeat donors, lapsed donors who returned, monthly donors, or donors who referred you to other donors or sources of revenue.
Write a brief note of thanks from the heart, expressing what the donor’s support means to the people or animals who will benefit from the gift.
You still need to separately send a formal receipt with the pertinent tax information: organization, EIN, donor name, gift amount, and gift date.

Take the time to get your donor thank you letter just right. You don’t have many chances to connect with your donors, so make the most of this golden opportunity. Words are powerful, especially these two: thank you.

About the Author:

Sandy shows founders and leaders of small nonprofits how to fully fund their dream so they can make the difference they want to make in the world. She has helped dozens of small nonprofits go from “nickel-and-dime fundraising” to adding 6 figures to their bottom line. As a trainer, she shows her students how to find ideal donors, connect through authentic messaging, and build relationships that stand the test of time, so that fundraising becomes easy and predictable. Find out more at www.GetFullyFunded.com.

The post 5 Things You Must Include in Your Donor Thank You Letter first appeared on Snowball Fundraising.