Generating donations is the lifeblood of any charitable organisation, as this money funds the vital work these organisations undertake on behalf of those in need.
At the best of times, getting beneficiaries and philanthropists to support any cause is a challenge, but during a cost-of-living crisis like the one we’re experiencing currently, it can be even harder to get supporters to donate funds to even previously popular causes.
In fact, research shows that as many as a quarter of people in the UK have already cancelled or reduced their charitable donations, with more set to follow as the crisis worsens.
Still, charities are also affected by the cost-of-living issues that everyone is experiencing, and many face higher prices for essentials such as fuel and food, which are needed to provide the care they offer.
Additionally, while donations are falling, the number of service users relying on charities is increasing, particularly for food banks and other resources to help those with funding issues.
For charity directors and managers looking to boost donations despite the current economic situation, here are some practical tips.
Highlight The Rise In Need For Services
Many individuals, even those who are relatively financially secure, will have felt the impact of recent interest rate rises and the increased price of everyday items, as well as luxuries. As such, they might not have considered that others are also suffering and might not realise how much extra demand there is for your charity’s services. So, it would help if you tried to share details of exactly how much more your services cost to provide and how much more demand there is for your support. By sharing clear numerical facts, you can improve your chances of getting regular benefactors who are still comfortably well-off financially to up the value of their regular donations or provide a one-off payment to boost your charity’s coffers and help you provide your vital services.
Create Video Appeals
Video appeals for donations are an easy way to reach a broad audience quickly and efficiently. Creating a video for your charity isn’t always easy, especially if you’re not experienced in videography. Thankfully, agencies like Digital Finch specialise in professional video services for charities, so you can create innovative videos that will engage your audience and drive them to donate to your cause. You can also create educational videos that will help you to explain your work and inform your viewers, which will improve the likelihood that they will donate to your organisation. Sharing videos on social media and your charity’s website is also more cost-effective than in-person canvassing for donations and can be effective if you work with professionals such as Digital Finch to create the perfect video appeals.
Make The Most Of Online Donation Platforms
Social media and other online platforms are not just useful for sharing content and connecting with your charity’s followers. Many of these platforms also allow organisations like yours to share donation requests with users from around the world. Creating online donation appeals can be a great way to save your organisation’s time and effort while still getting your cause noticed by potential donors. Some platforms also offer free donation appeals, which don’t have a timeline, so that you can leave your donation appeals live for as long as you need them. Research the best digital donation platforms available and find ones that you can make the most of, to help you reach a broader online audience and boost your chances of getting the donations that you need to keep your charity operating at full capacity.
Plan Digital Fundraising Events
Fundraising events are a classic way to earn donations and raise awareness about your cause. With the rise in technology and the increasing focus of many on social media platforms and sharing online, you should consider creating a digital fundraising event rather than a physical one. Also, a virtual event is easier and cheaper to organise than a physical gathering. So, consider an innovative digital event. Some charities have created viral events in the past, such as encouraging social media users to pour water over their heads or take part in another virtual ‘challenge’.
Sign Up For Gift Aid And Other Programs
If your charitable organisation hasn’t already signed up for Gift Aid, the government’s scheme that allows you to claim tax back from charitable donations made by donors who pay income tax and other taxes, then you should do so as soon as possible. The scheme is suitable for any organisation that’s registered as a charity and is a great way to make the most of every penny that gets donated to your cause. Once you’ve signed up for Gift Aid, make sure that you encourage donors to authorise your charity to collect it from HMRC so that you can get the best out of their donation. As well as Gift Aid, explore other programs designed to benefit charities, such as the Giving Checkout, which allows you to encourage online shoppers to donate money at the online checkout. These solutions can help your charity to make the most of its donation and encourage more people to help your cause by making it easier for them to give you money online.
Keep Adapting And Exploring New Techniques To Encourage Donations
Over the coming months, the world will continue to change, and the financial situation will evolve. So, your charity needs to be prepared to adapt to ensure that it always produces relevant marketing materials and donation appeals. Also, as the economy improves and individuals begin to get more disposable income, you can make sure that your charity is the first thing that they decide to spend money on by being at the forefront of their minds. Use the tips in this article as inspiration, and then keep adapting your techniques as you find strategies that work and ways to retain your audience’s attention. Working hard to adapt and create the right fundraising strategy will help you to improve your charity’s chances of getting the money it needs to continue offering its services to those who need them the most.
