How to Ask for Donations From Individuals, Companies & More
Raise More Money For Your Cause With These Top Tips
Expand Your Donor Base With the Actionable Steps Below
Individuals
Individuals—including one-time, repeat, and recurring donors—have the potential to be one of the most valuable sources of revenue for your nonprofit. In fact, recent fundraising research reports that individual Americans alone give between $300 and $500 billion each year to charitable causes. That’s an estimated 64% of total giving!
This generally includes (but is not limited to) individual donations made via:
- Your nonprofit website
- Text-to-donate
- Direct mail
- Crowdfunding pages
- Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns
- Legacy or planned gifts
- Payroll giving programs
- In-kind donations
- Events
Regardless of gift size or method used, these contributions provide much-needed support and funding to power your operations. The important thing to remember, however, is that every donor is unique and valuable. Each one should be treated as a person rather than a wallet!
For the best results, aim to deepen your connection with individual donors. Engage each person in a number of ways, ultimately empowering your team to build long-term relationships that generate lasting support for your cause.
How to Ask For Donations Using Social Media
When to Use Social Media
Asking for donations on social media is a more casual version of asking for donations via email. It’s a type of mass communication that you can use on a pretty regular basis.
As you plan your social media promotions, keep in mind that the best case scenario involves directing followers to your website to give via your online donation page. However, even if an individual doesn’t give, you’ve still put your organization’s mission at the top of their minds.
Having said that, you shouldn’t expect to receive a ton of major gifts from a donation appeal on Facebook. Using social media as a fundraising tool is often more about spreading the word about your cause, generating supporter interest, and initiating the cultivation or stewardship processes.
How to Get Started
First, you’ll need to find a social media platform that works for you and your donors. While some social media sites contain integrated donation tools (meaning your donors can give directly through the platform itself), you’ll want to promote your online donation form on your social pages, too. If all of your supporters use Instagram, but your efforts are focused on Facebook, you’re missing the point.
Then, begin promoting your online campaign. Explain to your followers what you’re raising money for and how they can get involved (including by sharing your social post!).
You can even incorporate pictures and videos to help demonstrate giving impact and emphasize your nonprofit’s mission.