Let’s name it like it’s – planning a strong fundraising occasion may be sophisticated and time-consuming. However what if we informed you that you can skip the logistics, keep away from discovering volunteers, bypass developing with a theme and securing a venue, however nonetheless meet your occasion donation targets?
Properly, that’s precisely what Go Endurance did! For his or her Elkhart Lake Triathlon fundraising occasion, 15 fundraisers blew previous their $50K objective. From Hawaii to Florida to New York, they obtained donations throughout 21 states elevating $52,225. Discuss spreading a large internet.
To not be outdone by final 12 months’s success, Go Endurance is poised to host a minimum of 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 objective 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 concentrate on fundraising, not orchestrating an occasion.
Who’s Go Endurance?
Based by Brad Prunty, Go Endurance began with a private objective 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 pals. What may very well be higher than racing with pals? Racing with pals 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 neighborhood occasion.
The Elkhart Lake Triathlon was a straightforward selection. Not solely was it native and enjoyable, however the occasion was going to be skilled and nicely completed.
Deciding on the trigger.
GO Ministries is a nonprofit Brad has served with for a number of years and felt athletes may get behind. GO Ministries, referenced as GO, serves a number of the most impoverished kids within the Dominican Republic with entry to well being care, schooling, 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 maintain 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 pals, I wish to be wholesome, and I wish to do good. If any of this stuff curiosity you I’d 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 crew that trains collectively to enhance and maintain your well being, whereas elevating funds collectively for one thing higher 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 have been asking concerning the assets they must assist them fundraise efficiently. Not solely did the athletes leap on board to offer for the wants of youngsters within the Dominican Republic; however Brad discovered that the well being journey and being on this endeavor as a crew have 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 crew had a crew objective of $10,000 and every athlete a objective of $3,500. Brad created the occasion and crew 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 have been competing and elevating funds with Go Endurance to help 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 have been much less concerning the athlete’s well being journey and extra concerning the trigger. Some fundraisers used e-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 approach they felt comfy.
Remember the fact that not all of the athletes have been seasoned fundraisers. To assist, Brad supplied fundraising suggestions, e-mail and social media publish 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 crew and neighborhood facet was vital in any respect ranges.
Third Leg
Race Day.
For the reason that triathlon hosts dealt with the whole lot event-related, Go Endurance didn’t have to do something besides present up, compete, and have fun.
“It was, for certain, probably the most rewarding time.”
As an alternative of operating round doing occasion issues, Brad was capable of concentrate on the expertise of the athletes. This included offering every athlete with a present of customized embroidered Go Endurance gear, water bottles, and different race objects.
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 have been racing to do good for the youngsters within the Dominican Republic.
What made this occasion fundraising really easy?
No occasion logistics!
Go Endurance took benefit of an current occasion already of their neighborhood. 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 have been targeted on fundraising and triathlon coaching versus occasion planning.
Utilizing Mightycause pages and donation processing expertise.
Along with processing donations, the Mightycause occasion and crew fundraising pages showcased to donors the real-time progress and totals of the marketing campaign. The occasion and crew fundraising pages additionally displayed real-time leaderboards that helped spur competitors amongst contributors. In the meantime, every athlete had a customizable fundraising web page that included a objective bar to share with family and friends. By way of the fundraising objective and thermometer, Go Endurance was capable of present donors and contributors a straightforward approach to see to trace the marketing campaign’s progress.
“Mightycause has been good for our wants.”
Any nonprofit could make occasion fundraising straightforward!
Using a neighborhood occasion doesn’t require particular expertise or connections. Anybody can make the most of current neighborhood occasions to make occasion fundraising straightforward.
Straightforward occasion fundraising the first step:
Skip the occasion setup by discovering a neighborhood occasion or exercise.
How do you discover native actions? Most cities, counties, cities, or affinity teams have web sites you possibly can make the most of to search out native occasions. For instance, Operating within the USA posts a web-based listing of races all through america.
As you search, take into consideration actions that may resonate along with your supporters. For instance, in case your group has a concentrate on preserving nature, contemplate becoming a member of an Earth Day occasion. You could find a neighborhood baking, bowling, train, or music occasion. See what’s already occurring in your neighborhood and grow to be part of it!
“The occasion may actually be something that’s native and near your coronary heart. One thing that’s nicely run and a draw to your supporters.”
Straightforward occasion fundraising step two:
Give attention to organizing your fundraising. Because you’re becoming a member of an current occasion, you robotically have an occasion date and particulars. With that in hand begin setting your fundraising targets, making ready data, and recruiting your fundraisers.
However earlier than you begin speaking to potential fundraisers, prepare the occasion data, fundraising expectations, and perks in a presentable, thrilling format. Don’t rush by means of this half. Being organized creates a higher 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 permits you to conveniently create limitless, occasion, crew, and particular person fundraising pages. By way of occasion and crew fundraising pages, create fundraiser templates to assist make the setup course of straightforward for contributors. Then encourage your contributors to personalize their very own fundraising pages.
Trace: In case your supporters are keen to boost funds however are intimidated by expertise, no worries! An administrator of your group web page can create fundraising pages for contributors. Then the fundraiser merely sends out the web page hyperlink to family and friends.
Final however not least, make sure to present fundraising strategies and content material to your fundraisers. Identical to Go Endurance had a “Do you know “ sheet, create an inventory of speaking factors, e-mail templates, social media publish strategies, and many others. By offering your contributors with a toolkit, you’re setting them up for fulfillment.
Straightforward occasion fundraising step three:
Domesticate your relationships along with your supporters.
- Your donors are your lifeblood. Mightycause supplies 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 ensure your Thank You emails are in place and also you’re poised to have interaction along with your neighborhood earlier than, throughout, and after the occasion.
- Your fundraisers have agreed to accomplice with you in a significant approach. Take a while to think about how one can present your gratitude. Because you aren’t financing a full occasion, it would 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 should be financial however it 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 neighborhood and crew; additionally to point out my thankfulness and gratitude for all the hassle they put into elevating funds.”
We’ll depart you with just a few Professional-tips from Go Endurance.
- Use the fundraiser template. Not solely does it save time, however you possibly can embody vital data on every fundraiser web page.
- Make the impression of your fundraising clear. Benefit from the customizable Donation Suggestion quantities within the donation checkout movement. Give every steered 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 have been those who requested people for a particular donation quantity.
“These fundraisers have been far more profitable.”
- Handle your fundraisers. If a fundraiser feels supported they’ll elevate extra and return sooner or later to fundraise once more.
Texting is nice! Mightycause pages are mobile-friendly, look wonderful, and donors can donate wherever 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 help and consciousness. Would like to have you ever be part of me in doing good.”
Fundraising occasions deliver consideration to your trigger, take your group into the neighborhood, 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!