{"id":284,"date":"2023-03-10T18:28:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-10T18:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/?p=284"},"modified":"2023-07-07T18:30:17","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T18:30:17","slug":"keep-it-simple-fundraising-for-startups-and-small-organizations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/2023\/03\/10\/keep-it-simple-fundraising-for-startups-and-small-organizations\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep it simple. Fundraising for startups and small organizations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>A few tips for fundraising for startups and small organizations<\/h2>\n<p>This short article is not intended to be an exhaustive survey of fundraising methods for every particular circumstance or need. \u00a0Further, although some of the tips below could certainly be used by for-profit ventures, this article is more directed toward social enterprise or non-profit causes. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Whether you are a for profit, nonprofit or something in between &#8211; all organizations and business concerns need money to get going and to keep going. \u00a0So whether you are a startup or simply a small organization here are a few general tips for fundraising. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A few basic starting points:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Self-funding<\/strong>. \u00a0Self-funding includes more than just writing a check. This might seem like common sense, but every entrepreneur of a business or founder of a nonprofit has likely contributed their own talent, time and treasure to their vision. \u00a0These contributions are analogous to self-funding. But at some point even someone with deep pockets can get maxed out. \u00a0So self-funding is never a sustainable model. \u00a0Let&#8217;s keep digging:\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/2022\/09\/28\/sphere-of-influence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sphere of Influence<\/a>. \u00a0Who do you know? \u00a0Would the people you know be willing to invest in your business or donate to your cause? \u00a0It can be awkward to ask family and friends for assistance. \u00a0But do the people in your sphere of influence even know what you are up to? \u00a0Be sure to let folks know about your vision. \u00a0Maybe someone you know will contribute time or make important introductions for you. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Contact Management. \u00a0Your sphere of influence is who you know. \u00a0Your contact list is who you know relative to your cause. \u00a0Ask people you know to subscribe to your list. \u00a0Put out social media posts inviting the same. Using services like Mailchimp or Constant Contact you can work to build up a list of people who have opted-in to support or receive updates on your cause.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Fundraising for non-profits and causes: Fundraising (for non-profits) requires recognition by others of your need and the opportunity for supporting that need. You need people to recognize what you are doing. \u00a0You need people. \u00a0Absent one or two major sponsors or donors building a contact list becomes an ongoing challenge for causes of all sizes. \u00a0So fundraising and contact-management go hand-in-hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Host a physical event.<\/strong> \u00a0 This doesn&#8217;t have to be a fundraiser gala or banquet to generate revenue. \u00a0Instead, if you have a start-up or small organization, hosting an event might be a great way to expand your contact list. \u00a0Events can also attract sponsors who might be willing to pay a few for exposure. \u00a0Sponsorships can be a win-win because the cause receives sponsorship revenue and the sponsor receives exposure for their brand and usually other perks such as admission to the event. \u00a0You can entice sponsors by allowing logos to be placed on event materials such as flyers, programs, website and banners. \u00a0Larger events might even broadcast \u00a0commercials. \u00a0Naming rights can be sold for events. \u00a0In addition to sponsorships events can raise money through ticket sales, merchandise and other items that can be sold or marked up. \u00a0Booth space for exhibitors as another example. \u00a0 Some groups are able to combine fundraising asks (asking for money from attendees) with sponsorship, exhibit and ticket revenue to maximize fundraising amounts. \u00a0For start-ups and small organizations that have few contacts, consider using an event as a tool to promote your cause and to network with new people. In other words: grow your list.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Create a virtual event such as a webcast<\/strong>. \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/2022\/09\/28\/unlock-webcasts-to-fundraise-build-buzz-and-to-generate-useful-content\/\">Webcasts<\/a> can be great to quickly expand your contact list and to generate financial support for your cause. \u00a0But getting people to attend your webcast can be tricky. \u00a0I have witnessed social media ads on Facebook by companies offering a free book or tips for success by joining their live webcast. \u00a0During these webcasts the organizers offer some tips but to unlock more some step is required. \u00a0These steps can be completing a survey or paying some fee. \u00a0People are weary of bait and switch marketing tactics. \u00a0But the idea of promoting your event with a Facebook ad or similar social media ad might have merit for your particular cause. \u00a0The biggest trick is to have a reason for people to attend. Do you have a cool or compelling story? \u00a0Can you invite an influencer to be a special guest on your webcast? \u00a0Has your cause been in the news? \u00a0Once you discover your hook you can cast your line. \u00a0Webcasts can be useful for growing your list, fundraising and for building content. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Branding<\/strong>. \u00a0The most successful fundraisers are built around a brand or cause that people feel compelled to support. \u00a0To be successful at fundraising it is critical that people know the brand, recognize the need and trust the cause. \u00a0Get yourself out there. Think of ways to build your brand and your reputation relative to a particular cause.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mail and Prospecting<\/strong>. \u00a0For groups with a budget, there are countless services that offer mail (or email) prospecting lists. Some lists are more valuable than others. \u00a0Some are spam. \u00a0Some are junk. \u00a0But others can be excellent investments. \u00a0To find a reputable list-broker ask around. Check with groups you trust and ask who they use. \u00a0Mail can be expensive and often requires six to twelve months to test. \u00a0But successful mail campaigns can create repeat donors and can pay for themselves. \u00a0This method is for groups that have the budget to risk. In addition to budget you need compelling and effective content for the mailers. Something to think about.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Crowdfunding<\/strong>. \u00a0Crowdfunding using social media sites can be great. \u00a0By now you have probably heard of or even contribute to a crowdfunding campaign. \u00a0The trick here, absent your campaign going viral, is to have people to promote it too. \u00a0Having a list of contacts is essential for these campaigns to be successful. \u00a0If you build it &#8211; they will not come unless you tell people about it! \u00a0 That said, I am a fan of crowdfunding in certain circumstances because these can campaigns can be financially successful and create direct engagement with your supporters. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>T-shirts and products<\/strong>. \u00a0Selling products can be a fun way to build your brand and at times to fundraise. \u00a0Just be careful about tight margins. Also if you are a 501c3 talk to your tax professional about any unrelated income business tax concerns.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Games<\/strong>. \u00a0I know several groups that host BINGO or other game nights. \u00a0These can be fun events and can provide wins for both the cause and for the winners. But beware of federal, state and local rules for gaming, raffles and lottery. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Last &#8211; be creative. \u00a0If you are just getting started keeping it simple is a good idea. \u00a0But sometimes it is okay to be creative and try fundraising ideas. \u00a0Just make sure you understand any local laws or rules. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Good luck!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Royce\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Fundraising-for-startups-.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Fundraising for startups&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you are a for profit, nonprofit or something in between &#8211; all organizations and business concerns need money to get going and to keep going. \u00a0So whether you are a startup or simply a small organization here are a few general tips for fundraising.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,27,16],"tags":[37,39,36,38,25],"class_list":["post-284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-legal-tips","category-quick-tips","tag-crowdfunding","tag-event-sponsorship","tag-fundraising-for-startups","tag-gaming","tag-sphere-of-influence"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=284"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":302,"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284\/revisions\/302"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eclient.app\/missioncounsel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}