Fundraising for Nonprofits
Services to Improve Online Fundraising for Nonprofits
Recent surveys indicate that very few nonprofits are achieving success with online fundraising. This is no surprise since few have invested in online fundraising with anything near the effort, ardor, thoughtfulness, dollars and ambition as their direct mail and other offline development activities. However, the truth is that online fundraising can be far more effective than offline activities in terms of response rates, dollars raised, and return on investment. Additionally, online fundraising almost always requires a much smaller financial investment than comparable offline initiatives.
The Myths of Online Fundraising for Nonprofits
Many nonprofit organizations continue to believe that supporters are afraid to donate online because of security, privacy and other concerns. This is far from true. To wit:
- Close to 95% of U.S. Internet users have shopped online
- Americans spent more than $136 billion buying merchandise online in 2007
- U.S nonprofits received more than $12 billion in online donations in 2008
The Self-Fulfilling Problem of Online Fundraising for Nonprofits
Lacking the attractiveness, intriguing story lines or convenient payment options of offline solicitations, online fundraising communications rarely capture attention or engage donors. And, concluding that online fundraising is ineffective, development directors set lower expectations and commit even less time and resources to future efforts. The effectiveness of online solicitations is also dulled by the thoughtless and wanton use of email by many nonprofits. Patrons almost never ever get an email that is not selling something or asking for money.
Need Help to Power Up Your Nonprofits's Online Fundraising?
Depending on your particular needs and circumstances, we can, among other things: i) enhance the fundraising capabilities of a current website; ii) develop a unique fundraising or special event site; iii) execute fundraising email campaigns; or, iv) produce a comprehensive online fundraising strategy that is appropriately integrated with your other online and offline activities. We will also support your online fundraising with robust e-commerce capabilities for data capture, gift processing, event management and reporting.
