Fundraiser trends (aka what attracts donations) are constantly changing in our fast paced world. Today, donors expect the same great responsive service that the private sector provides.
It’s an exciting time, as non-profit organizations shift in order to track these three fundraising trends to attract more donations, create convenience, and cater to the wants and needs of donors.
1. Fund your Friends.
Peer-to-peer campaigns, made popular by Crowdfunding, is a fairly new fundraising approach that allows any person to set up a profile, describe a goal, and create an online platform to raise money. Friends, family, and complete strangers who see the profile can donate any amount of money they choose.
Peer-to-peer campaigns are hugely beneficial to non-profits because they empower donors to raise money on behalf of the organization (with no money or time required from the organization itself). Some non-profits have even started to develop creative peer-to-peer campaigns that engage individuals who may have never donated money in the past.
The success of this trend is not surprising, as consumer behaviour today demands to be more fully in control of when and how they are engaged with brands.
2. Transform with Technology.
It’s the age of technology, and has been for decades, but only in the last few years have we taken a more nuanced look at the different kinds of technologies individuals use. People are constantly looking at a screen – from phone to computer to tablet to television, yet each has a different resolution and different formatting.
So what does this mean for non-profits in 2015?
Organizations in the public sector must transform their campaigns and donor communication to fit on a screen. A charity can no longer send snail mail to its donors once a month and receive the same enthusiasm that was once garnered. Today, consumers expect more. They expect fast, easy and convenient. On top of that, each marketing platform to be compatible with every type of media devise. Charities should follow the footsteps of for-profit corporations and embrace responsive marketing.
Since technology and social media are a part of everyone’s lifestyle today, the adoption of this marketing strategy is very important. The organizations that embrace responsive marketing in order to create the best experience possible for donors will come out on top. If a person can easily interact with an organization through technology it will generate a positive consumer response.
This is the year all charities will work on optimizing their media consumption experience for donors.
3. Personalize it.
We live in a society that demands everything delivered with a personal touch. From engraving your watch to thumbprint protection on your iPhone, nothing can be standardized.
Consumers are used to feeling special by being individually recognized. Corporations have created mass personalized products to provide this satisfaction. Coca Cola and its named drink bottles is a perfect example.
Non-profits can shift to adopt this same principle and add a personal element to fundraising campaigns. Peer-to-peer fundraisers are one way to do this, but that simply puts the power in the hands of the donor. Non-profits can also follow up with donors after regular contributions with personalized communication and share targeted information that matches their personal philanthropic interests.
