Leveraging Neighborhood Occasions for Easy Occasion Fundraising

Let’s name it like it’s – planning a stable fundraising occasion will be sophisticated and time-consuming. However what if we informed you that you would skip the logistics, keep away from discovering volunteers, bypass arising with a theme and securing a venue, however nonetheless meet your occasion donation objectives?

Properly, that’s precisely what Go Endurance did! For his or her Elkhart Lake Triathlon fundraising occasion, 15 fundraisers blew previous their $50K aim. From Hawaii to Florida to New York, they acquired donations throughout 21 states elevating $52,225. Speak about spreading a large web.

To not be outdone by final 12 months’s success, Go Endurance is poised to host not less than 2 occasion campaigns this 12 months with 21 athletes already collaborating. And all with out internet hosting a single occasion. This implies a complete fundraising aim of nicely over $100K however no logistics, volunteers, or occasion group complications. 

 

Go Endurance created their total marketing campaign based mostly round a community-hosted occasion, the Elkhart Lake Triathlon. Subsequently, Go Endurance was free to give attention to fundraising, not orchestrating an occasion. 

Who’s Go Endurance?

Based by Brad Prunty, Go Endurance began with a private aim to be match and wholesome. What started as one man and a triathlon, quickly turned a crew of athletes competing for a trigger. Brad participated in his first triathlon alone, then recruited associates. What might be higher than racing with associates? Racing with associates for a trigger. 

These athletes determined to coach collectively, get wholesome collectively, and do good collectively. And so, Go Endurance was born. 

Making the occasion a straightforward actuality.

First Leg

Selecting the group occasion.

The Elkhart Lake Triathlon was a straightforward alternative. Not solely was it native and enjoyable, however the occasion was going to be skilled and nicely achieved. 

Deciding on the trigger.

GO Ministries is a nonprofit Brad has served with for a number of years and felt athletes might get behind. GO Ministries, referenced as GO, serves among the most impoverished kids within the Dominican Republic with entry to well being care, training, and sports activities actions. 

Discovering a platform.

Subsequent up was discovering fundraising expertise. After some analysis and a cellphone name with Mightycause, Brad knew he discovered the proper platform with the occasion, groups, and particular person fundraising pages he wanted.

Higher but, Mightycause would handle processing donation funds, donation disbursements, tax-deductible receipts, and the marketing campaign web page expertise. As soon as once more, Brad was letting the professionals do their factor. 

Second Leg

Recruiting the athletes.

Brad selected a private contact for recruiting athletes. To begin, he approached everybody with the WHY. It mainly went like this, “I wish to do one thing with associates, I wish to be wholesome, and I wish to do good. If any of these items curiosity you I might love to speak with you extra about what we’re doing.” If somebody was curious he would share the advantages of becoming a member of Go Endurance.

“Being part of Go Endurance is the chance to be part of a workforce that trains collectively to enhance and maintain your well being, whereas elevating funds collectively for one thing larger than ourselves. All of the whereas studying that you are able to do onerous issues.”

It didn’t take a lot convincing earlier than athletes had been asking concerning the assets they must assist them fundraise efficiently. Not solely did the athletes bounce on board to supply for the wants of youngsters within the Dominican Republic; however Brad discovered that the well being journey and being on this endeavor as a workforce had been additionally very compelling. It was actually a win-win earlier than the triathlon even started. 

Organising fundraising pages.

Go Endurance’s Elkhart Lake Triathlon occasion marketing campaign hosted 5 groups of three athletes. Every workforce had a workforce aim of $10,000 and every athlete a aim of $3,500. Brad created the occasion and workforce pages. He then laid out the steps for the fundraisers to customise their very own pages with footage, a customized URL, and private tales of why they had been competing and elevating funds with Go Endurance to assist GO Ministries. 

Elevating the funds.

At this level, the occasion was dealt with, the mission chosen, and the fundraiser webpages set. It was time to boost funds. 

Conversations with donors had been much less concerning the athlete’s well being journey and extra concerning the trigger. Some fundraisers used electronic mail or textual content messaging, whereas others used social media and/or in-person conversations. It was as much as every athlete to have interaction donors in no matter method they felt comfy. 

Take into account that not all of the athletes had been seasoned fundraisers. To assist, Brad supplied fundraising suggestions, electronic mail and social media submit concepts, in addition to a “Did You Know . . .” template explaining to donors what their {dollars} would do for the folks of the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, being true to their very own mission, Go Endurance made certain to encourage and assist fundraisers all through the marketing campaign. The workforce and group facet was necessary in any respect ranges. 

Third Leg

Race Day.

For the reason that triathlon hosts dealt with every part event-related, Go Endurance didn’t must do something besides present up, compete, and have fun.

“It was, for certain, probably the most rewarding time.” 

As an alternative of working round doing occasion issues, Brad was capable of give attention to the expertise of the athletes. This included offering every athlete with a present of customized embroidered Go Endurance gear, water bottles, and different race gadgets. 

For athletes, it was a grueling end result of psychological and bodily coaching. However the Go Endurance groups carried one thing different rivals didn’t. They weren’t competing for themselves alone, they had been racing to do good for the kids within the Dominican Republic.

What made this occasion fundraising really easy?

No occasion logistics!

Go Endurance took benefit of an present occasion already of their group. For the reason that occasion was not hosted by them, they weren’t slowed down with particulars like logistics, volunteers, occasion stations, registration, or funds. Brad’s duties had been centered on fundraising and triathlon coaching versus occasion planning.  

Utilizing Mightycause pages and donation processing expertise.

Along with processing donations, the Mightycause occasion and workforce fundraising pages showcased to donors the real-time progress and totals of the marketing campaign. The occasion and workforce fundraising pages additionally displayed real-time leaderboards that helped spur competitors amongst members. In the meantime, every athlete had a customizable fundraising web page that included a aim bar to share with family and friends. By way of the fundraising aim and thermometer, Go Endurance was capable of present donors and members a straightforward solution to see to trace the marketing campaign’s progress.

“Mightycause has been excellent for our wants.” 

Any nonprofit could make occasion fundraising straightforward!

Using a group occasion doesn’t require particular expertise or connections. Anybody can make the most of present group occasions to make occasion fundraising straightforward.

Simple occasion fundraising the 1st step:   

Skip the occasion setup by discovering an area occasion or exercise.

How do you discover native actions? Most cities, counties, cities, or affinity teams have web sites you may make the most of to search out native occasions. For instance, Operating within the USA posts a web-based listing of races all through the US.

As you search, take into consideration actions that may resonate along with your supporters. For instance, in case your group has a give attention to preserving nature, think about becoming a member of an Earth Day occasion. Yow will discover an area baking, bowling, train, or music occasion. See what’s already taking place in your group and change into part of it!   

“The occasion might actually be something that’s native and near your coronary heart. One thing that’s nicely run and a draw to your supporters.”

Simple occasion fundraising step two:

Give attention to organizing your fundraising. Because you’re becoming a member of an present occasion, you mechanically have an occasion date and particulars. With that in hand begin setting your fundraising objectives, making ready info, and recruiting your fundraisers.

However earlier than you begin speaking to potential fundraisers, organize the occasion info, fundraising expectations, and perks in a presentable, thrilling format. Don’t rush by way of this half. Being organized creates a larger enchantment and units the tone on your fundraising occasion.

A part of being organized is having your Mightycause occasion web page printed and reside and prepared for groups and fundraisers to create their pages. The Mightycause Superior plan lets you conveniently create limitless, occasion, workforce, and particular person fundraising pages. By way of occasion and workforce fundraising pages, create fundraiser templates to assist make the setup course of straightforward for members. Then encourage your members to personalize their very own fundraising pages. 

Trace: In case your supporters are prepared to boost funds however are intimidated by expertise, no worries! An administrator of your group web page can create fundraising pages for members. Then the fundraiser merely sends out the web page hyperlink to family and friends.

Final however not least, make sure to present fundraising options and content material to your fundraisers. Identical to Go Endurance had a “Do you know “ sheet, create an inventory of speaking factors, electronic mail templates, social media submit options, and many others. By offering your members with a toolkit, you’re setting them up for achievement.

Simple occasion fundraising step three:

Domesticate your relationships along with your supporters. 

• Your donors are your lifeblood. Mightycause offers the primary thanks web page and takes care of sending out the tax-deductible receipts. However that’s simply a place to begin of your relationship. So be certain your Thank You emails are in place and also you’re poised to have interaction along with your group earlier than, throughout, and after the occasion. 
• Your fundraisers have agreed to accomplice with you in a significant method. Take a while to contemplate how one can present your gratitude. Because you aren’t financing a full occasion, it’d imply gifting gear out of your nonprofit, taking your high 5 fundraisers to lunch, or posting a particular shout-out on social media. It doesn’t must be financial but it surely ought to present your gratitude for his or her participation. No matter it’s, be intentional to point out appreciation.

“I wish to do something I can to generate a way of group and workforce; additionally to point out my thankfulness and gratitude for all the trouble they put into elevating funds.” 

We’ll go away you with a number of Professional-tips from Go Endurance.

• Use the fundraiser template. Not solely does it save time, however you may embody necessary info on every fundraiser web page. 
• Make the impression of your fundraising clear. Benefit from the customizable Donation Suggestion quantities within the donation checkout circulation. Give every prompt quantity an impression. Then reiterate this in your marketing campaign pages. 
• Personally ask for particular donation quantities. Go Endurance discovered a direct correlation- probably the most profitable fundraisers had been people who requested people for a particular donation quantity.

“These fundraisers had been far more profitable.”

• Care for your fundraisers. If a fundraiser feels supported they are going to elevate extra and return sooner or later to fundraise once more.
• Texting is nice! Mightycause pages are mobile-friendly, look superb, and donors can donate anyplace and anytime. 
  • It’s easy! Brad despatched textual content messages with the hyperlink to his fundraiser and included a brief ask, “I’m collaborating within the Elkhart Lake Triathlon to boost assist and consciousness. Would like to have you ever be a part of me in doing good.”

 

Fundraising occasions deliver consideration to your trigger, take your group into the group, and lift much-needed funds. Don’t waste time ranging from scratch! 

Hear extra about how Go Endurance raised over $50,000 with out placing on an occasion – take a look at our webinar with Founder Brad Prunty!

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