What is a Giving Day?

At its core, a giving day is a dedicated period focused on charitable giving. Typically it’s 24 hours but can sometimes extend to a week. It’s a time when individuals, businesses, and communities unite to support nonprofits through financial contributions. Think of it as a collective effort to make a significant impact in a short span.

Who Hosts Giving Days?

The beauty of giving days lies in their versatility. You have the power to host your own, tailor-made to suit your organization’s mission and goals. Whether you’re a grassroots initiative or a well-established nonprofit, running your giving day allows you to engage directly with your supporters.

Additionally, giving days can also be orchestrated by community foundations and other host organizations to raise awareness and funds for several nonprofits at once. Take, for example, Spur Local’s commitment to community strengthening in the Greater Washington region through their annual Giving Tuesday campaign, “Give Local Together”. 

This year, the campaign successfully raised over $1M, contributing to support 200+ carefully vetted organizations. 

How Does a Giving Day Work?

Whether you’re spearheading your own giving day or participating in one organized by another entity, the mechanics are designed to create a dynamic and impactful experience. Throughout the event, you’ll extend invitations to your existing donors to contribute, while also capturing the attention of potential new supporters who might discover your organization and choose to contribute to your cause. 

Why Should I Participate in a Giving Day?

Participating in a giving day isn’t just about fundraising; it’s a strategic move with a number of benefits for your nonprofit:

• Attract Donors:
  • Expand your donor base by reaching individuals who may not have been aware of your organization.
  • Invite your supporters and their networks to join in. Consider making a peer-to-peer campaign.
• Raise Awareness:
  • Benefit from the increased visibility.
  • Amplify your organization’s story and impact, drawing attention to the critical work you do.
• Strengthen Community Partnerships:
  • Forge new partnerships with businesses, community leaders, and individuals who align with your mission.
  • If participating in a day hosted by another organization, you can collaborate with other nonprofits participating, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

How Do I Host My Own Giving Day?

Hosting a successful giving day requires strategic planning and thoughtful execution. Here’s a condensed guide highlighting key steps inspired by a comprehensive article on the subject:

1. Pick A Date

When selecting a date, choose one with relevance or significance to your cause. Consider tying it to events like Earth Day or your nonprofit’s anniversary. Avoid holidays or busy periods that may divert attention.

2. Set Clear Goals

Define your fundraising target, donor engagement goals, and impact-oriented objectives. Aim for ambitious yet attainable targets. Establish measurable targets to track donor base growth and engagement levels. Outline the desired impact of the giving day, aligning goals with your organization’s mission.

3. Choose Your Platform

Craft a compelling narrative showcasing highlights and impact from your organization’s work. Develop marketing materials to generate excitement. Set up a central online donation platform for easy sharing and giving. Take a page from success stories like St. Mark’s High School, which utilized CauseVox’s platform for their Day of Giving, displaying proceeds in real time.

For a full run-down on how to host your giving day from start to finish, download our comprehensive checklist. 

Use CauseVox for Giving Days

Running a successful giving day involves a lot of moving parts, and that’s where CauseVox comes in. From effortlessly setting up peer-to-peer pages and creating dynamic donation forms, our platform has you covered so your day goes off without a hitch. Learn more about CauseVox Giving Days here. 

Participating in an Organized Giving Day

If you’re participating in a day hosted by another organization (like Spur Local’s Give Local Together event for instance), more than likely you’ll have to apply and/or register for it.

After researching giving days happening in your geographic area or related to your specific cause, you might discover opportunities that fit.

Follow the instructions provided and gather essential documentation, including your organization’s 501(c)3 registration, a compelling logo, and a mission description that encapsulates your work.

(Spur Local’s network application)

Prepare other critical documents, including your organization’s EFT information for fund disbursement. Ensure your logo and organization description authentically represent the essence of your cause.

Creating Your Giving Day Campaign Page

Your campaign page is more than just a platform for donations; it’s a space to connect, engage, and inspire support. Let’s dive into crafting a compelling campaign page, guided by best practices and inspired by real examples.

Setting the Stage

Imagine your campaign page as the stage for your giving day performance. Strategic planning is key—align this space seamlessly with your overall strategy. Clearly articulate your mission, goals, and the profound impact donors can make. This is your opportunity to invite supporters into your narrative, fostering a sense of shared purpose.

Within this virtual stage, carefully curate images that resonate with your cause. Select high-quality images or videos that not only showcase your work but also evoke emotion. Visual content has a unique power to transcend words, making your organization’s impact tangible and relatable.

Most importantly, have a seamless and hassle-free donation process for your supporters, as statistics show that 75% of donors are more likely to make a donation if the giving process is easy. The easier the journey, the more likely they are to join you on this collective adventure. 

As your giving day approaches, strategically share your campaign page across channels. It’s not just a link; it’s an invitation. Integrate it into your social media posts, emails, and on your website. During the event, direct donors to this dedicated centralized hub.

Promoting Your Giving Day

As you gear up for your giving day, the key to unlocking its full potential lies in getting the word out. Building a network of ambassadors, comprising volunteers, staff, and dedicated board members, can be the catalyst for a campaign that resonates far beyond your immediate reach.

Identifying Ambassadors

Imagine your ambassadors as torchbearers, carrying the essence of your cause to a broader audience. Your volunteers, staff, and board members, fueled by passion and commitment, can become powerful advocates. Engage them early in the process and empower them to share your campaign with their networks.

Harnessing Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Take the concept of ambassadorship a step further by embracing peer-to-peer fundraising. This dynamic approach involves your ambassadors creating their own fundraising pages, turning them into individual champions for your cause.

To make it easy for your participants, consider developing a peer-to-peer toolkit. This toolkit serves as a comprehensive guide for ambassadors, providing them with the resources and information needed to run successful individual campaigns.

To make the process even more accessible, we’ve crafted free customizable toolkits that you can tailor to suit your organization’s unique needs. 

Elevate Your Giving Day with CauseVox’s Tailored Solutions

Do you have an innovative concept for your giving day that requires a specialized fundraising platform?

With CauseVox Bespoke Services, work with our team to co-develop and customize your giving day campaign website to its fullest potential. Incorporate dynamic elements like tailored donation processes and distinctive leaderboards effortlessly into your site.

If you’re a community foundation or an organization looking to host a multi-cause giving day, reach out to us at support@causevox.com to schedule a consultation. Let’s make your vision a reality.

What Is A Mobile Wallet?

A mobile wallet is a digital wallet that allows you to store, manage, and transact with various forms of digital currency and payment methods using a mobile device, such as a smartphone or smartwatch. Most of us are already using mobile wallets like PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay andGoogle Pay, in our everyday lives. In fact, 53% of Americans use digital wallets as their primary payment method and 51% say they would stop shopping at a merchant who doesn’t accept mobile wallet transactions. 

Bottom line: cash is no longer king, mobile wallets are. 

Why Are Mobile Wallets so Popular?

So what makes mobile wallets so appealing? Well, they are seamless, quick, easy to use and have no barriers in the payment process. Unlike a traditional credit card where you have to have it with you, take it out, and swipe or tap; mobile wallets only require you to input your card info once, then they use biometrics (like Face ID) or a pin to transact. Less steps, less hassle, and more money spent by consumers. Yep, 47% of consumers report spending more when using their mobile wallets than traditional payment methods. 

Mobile wallets are also growing in popularity in the digital fundraising realm. CauseVox’s Giving Study found that donors preferred to use mobile wallets for giving just as much as the traditional credit or debit card. 

Learn About Donation Trends in CauseVox’s 2023 Giving Study:

Integrating Mobile Wallets Into Your Fundraising

Adding mobile wallets into your digital fundraising strategy is essential in this day and age. We found that 81% of high-income donors prioritize a quick donation process, highlighting the importance of incorporating features that speed up the process–like mobile wallets–on your donation page. Supporters can seamlessly give with just a biometric verification through online platforms, or with a simple tap during in-person events. 

Let’s admit it, complexity prevents conversion! The less steps to giving the better. That is why aligning with the modern donor’s preferences for frictionless, secure payments through mobile wallets is essential for your digital fundraising strategy. 

Donors can give seamlessly with mobile wallet options, like Google Pay, on your donation page.

Something For Everyone

To truly maximize donation potential, nonprofits must offer a wide array of payment methods. It is important to note that not all donors prefer mobile wallets, especially the older generations. That is why providing other options like credit/debit cards, bank transfers and cash/check donations are still important and necessary. 

Providing several giving options is not just about variety; it’s about understanding which segment of your donor base prefers what. By understanding who your donor is, you can tailor payment methods to suit their needs and serve them better! For the general population, we found that the good old debit/credit cards are as equally preferred asmobile wallets, with cash donations not too far behind. 

The best way to find out what your unique donor base prefers is to analyze the giving data or send out a survey. This will help you gather important information so that you can ensure a seamless giving process for all your supporters. 

Add Mobile Wallets To Your Giving Page

With 75% of donors reporting that they are more likely to make a donation if the giving process is easy, it is prudent to equip your donation page with Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal and Venmo alongside the classic credit card and bank transfer options. With a CauseVox donation page you can easily enable all methods of giving to ensure no one is left out (or has an excuse not to donate!)

Mobile wallet and traditional methods of giving on a CauseVox Donation Page.

Ready To Enhance Your Digital Fundraising?

Are you are ready to start accepting more donations with ease? You can create a donation page for free with CauseVox and effortlessly enable all your mobile wallet donations in one place. 

Sign up for a demo today to start raising more funds with less hassle. 

While you may be acquainted with GivingTuesday’s impressive global giving stats, don’t feel limited to run a giving day only once a year! Whether it’s a small community affair or a bigger, more widespread initiative, your organization can boost donations in a short time frame any time throughout the year. 

On the flip side, community foundations and local nonprofits can organize citywide or regional giving days, like Spur Local’s Give Local Together Campaign, rallying entire communities in support of various causes.

With CauseVox’s advanced suite of giving day tools, you can comprehensively create and manage a giving day that stands out. Use CauseVox’s new giving day functionality to tailor the donor and supporter experience with a remarkable giving day website that not only engages donors but also significantly boosts donations.

Learn how Spur Local raised more than $1MM on GivingTuesday using CauseVox’s tailored, peer-to-peer giving day site:

Tailored Giving Day Website

Build a comprehensive, custom-branded giving day site tailored to your mission, whether it’s your first attempt or a recurring event. Creating an attractive, informative site is the first step in exciting supporters to rally behind your cause. 

Branded Site

CauseVox’s intuitive drag-and-drop tool allows you to easily layout and design your fundraising site in a way that’s unique to your mission and beneficial to supporters. From program details and sponsor walls, to donor listings, typography and imagery, each piece is aligned completely with your organization’s identity and message. Learn more about the New Site Editor.

Static Pages

Static pages are the unsung heroes of your fundraising site – offering a straightforward way to share essential information and connect with your audience. Here’s some static pages you can add to your site to enhance your supporter experience:

• About Page: Consider a deep dive into your mission, values, and impact. From campaign inspiration to team details, achievements, and the communities you serve, it’s a comprehensive look at your story. Packed with insights, this page builds trust and invites potential donors to join your mission.
• FAQ Page: Ever had burning questions about a cause? That’s where the FAQ page comes in handy. It’s your go-to resource, answering common questions about your mission, fundraising initiatives, fund usage, and impact. Offering clarity on donation methods, tax deductions, program specifics, and contact info, this page ensures transparency.
• Prize Page: Add extra excitement to your fundraising journey with the Prize Page. Showcase rewards and incentives for top-performing fundraisers – be it recognition, exclusive merchandise, or special experiences. It’s about celebrating efforts, encouraging friendly competition, and turning your campaign into a rewarding experience.
• Organization Info Page: Think of the Organization Info Page as your nonprofit’s digital hub – presenting mission statements, history, impact, program breakdowns, financial transparency, leadership bios, and contact information. This page helps donors understand your nonprofit’s purpose and how contributions are utilized.
• Sponsor Wall Page: Gratitude takes center stage on the Sponsor Wall Page. Pay homage to generous supporters, showcasing names, logos, or messages. With graphics like company logos, photos, and acknowledgments, the Sponsor Wall becomes a dynamic space recognizing benefactors and inspiring others to join the cause. It’s a testament to the community rallying behind your organization’s vision.

Search Page

Empower donors to easily find and discover causes that align with their interests through our intuitive search page. We’ve streamlined the process so donors can browse causes with a keyword search and filter causes by category to eliminate guesswork and empower their giving. 

Mobile Optimized

Increase completed donations by accepting multiple payment options. CauseVox donation forms see an increase in completed donations, thanks to a seamless and personalized giving experience. Ensure donors find their preferred way to pay with unparalleled ease, through credit/debit cards, mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal, and ACH.

Peer-to-Peer Collaborative Impact

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a powerful type of crowdfunding that uses your current donors, volunteers, and other connections to fundraise for your nonprofit or charity.

Your supporters become personal fundraisers by creating personal, team and organization pages under your campaign that drive their networks to give to your cause, expanding your reach and helping you acquire new donors in the process.

We’ve seen that campaigns using peer-to-peer fundraising tend to raise twice as much as those without. 

It’s important to choose a platform that’s easy and intuitive so fundraisers can feel confident and excited to fundraise. CauseVox provides a mobile-friendly, versatile portal so they can easily create and manage any number of custom fundraising pages.  

Let’s look at the different levels of peer-to-peer fundraising you can use for your next giving day.

Organization Pages

CauseVox makes it easy for partnering organizations to create a page integrated with your custom site to support you or champion local charities. Consider inviting organizations such as:

• Corporate sponsors
• Schools and colleges
• Religious organizations
• + Many more

Individuals associated with these organizations can easily join in. By signing up, fundraisers create a dedicated page linked to the organization page, ensuring that their contributions are pooled together for a collective impact.

Here’s how it works: organization admins create a page for approval. Once given the green light, fundraisers can join the page or be placed there by admins.

Organization admins enjoy a self-service portal, providing full control and flexibility over page details, donation and fundraiser management to help streamline workflow.

Personal and Team Pages

Foster collaboration with dedicated personal and team pages.

Personal fundraisers are dedicated champions raising funds on behalf of your organization. Every donation made through their page not only reflects on the personal page, but also resonates across any organizations and teams they’re associated with, leaving a tangible mark on the main fundraising site. By creating a personal page, individuals drive impact and weave their efforts into the broader narrative of your cause.

Team pages add another layer and can be your “go-to” on giving days as powerhouse fundraisers work together seamlessly on one page. Each team sets a goal calculated by adding up individual goals. All funds raised on personal pages automatically contribute to the team total, along with direct donations to the team page. 

Creating a team is straightforward – it can be initiated by the campaign admin or any personal fundraiser. Fundraisers can quickly sign up on mobile to create their personal page, then join any existing team or create their own team page.

Upgrade Donor Engagement

Donor engagement becomes the heartbeat of giving days, transforming a simple transaction into a meaningful interaction. CauseVox’s visionary donation form elevates an ordinary donation process to an exceptional donor experience, increasing funds and happier donors.  

Enhanced Donation Carts

On giving days, donors are eager to support multiple teams and causes, making the Donation Cart the perfect donation vehicle. It allows donors to seamlessly add multiple donation items to their cart and attribute each donation to a different personal, team, or organization page, all in one go. This means that during giving days, donors can fund causes and support teams with ease.

Donation Carts help to transform giving day donations into an interactive and enjoyable online shopping journey. You can recommend causes aligned with donors’ interests, increasing engagement and gift sizes while helping to reduce transaction fees, enhance data collection, and gain insights for targeted stewardship activities. Learn more about our Enhanced Donation Carts.

Here’s a short video overview of the Donation Cart:

Impressive Site Dynamics

Generate excitement and urgency during your giving day with real-time site dynamics such as progress bars and counters, power-hour fundraising and leaderboards. These interactive elements significantly enhance the donor experience while organically creating friendly competition to drive participation and donations. Here’s three outstanding elements to dramatically boost donations:

• Donation Counter: The donation counter is a prime feature widely recognized in fundraising to visually represent funds raised in real-time. It motivates fundraisers and donors to help you achieve your funding goal.

• Power Hour: This nail-biting 60-mins is filled with anticipation and floods of donations as supporters furiously donate to help their cherished teams climb the top of the leaderboard. Incentivize fundraisers by awarding the top fundraisers and teams with monetary prizes, merch or other perks. You’ll see a surge of donations in a short period of time, as power hours attract fundraiser and donor participation to the max.

• Leaderboard: If you’re looking to showcase your peer-to-peer fundraisers, teams and organizations, a general leaderboard will do the trick. Leaderboards display the page’s media thumbnail, page title, fundraiser name and profile image, and most importantly,  the funding progress toward their goal. You can filter leaderboards by the top fundraiser’s donation progress, recently joined fundraisers, or alphabetically. 

Unlock Modern Fundraising with CauseVox

If you’re running a giving day for your organization, or planning a giving day to support local charities, CauseVox can make your next event a success with a tailored donor and supporter experience. Let’s partner together to make your vision a reality.

To learn more about using CauseVox for your giving day, check out our pre-recorded demo or book a live 1-1 demo.

For access to the new Site Editor or if you have additional questions, contact us at support@causevox.com.

The way we shop has transformed, and so has the way we give. Our Donation Carts now offer an interactive online shopping experience where donors can effortlessly browse and add various causes—programs, projects, and peer-to-peer pages—to their basket and checkout in a single transaction. It’s like curating your cart at your favorite online store, but with the power to make a difference.

How Donation Carts Work

The Donation Cart makes giving fun and interactive, allowing donors to explore, discover, and add your organization’s various causes to their basket. This deepens their engagement, increases gift size, and connects donors to what they care most about.

Let’s walk through the donation process:

1. Donors select a donation, assign it to a peer-to-peer page, apply a tribute dedication, and add the donation item to their cart.
2. They can continue browsing, adding more donations as they go, or proceed to the checkout. 
3. At checkout, donors can review their selected items, making as-needed changes and then select from multiple quick checkout options (credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Venmo, or ACH) to complete the payment.
4. Donors receive a customizable combined donation receipt, making the entire experience more enjoyable and efficient.

Here’s a short video overview of the Donation Cart:

Donation Cart Use Cases

Our enhanced Donation Cart caters to various fundraising initiatives, from peer-to-peer fundraising to special events, annual campaigns, and giving days. It’s a versatile tool designed to amplify donor support for any occasion.

Let’s look at a few ways you can use Donation Carts:

1. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

When supporters are engaged in peer-to-peer fundraising, they may want to contribute to various individuals, teams or projects at one time. Donation Carts allow donors to customize their contributions, making it easy for them to support multiple participants within a single transaction.

2. Giving Days

Picture this—your nonprofit is hosting a Giving Day, and donors are eager to support multiple teams and causes. With a Donation Cart, donors can seamlessly add multiple donation items to their cart and attribute each donation to a different personal, team, or organization page, all in one go. This means that during Giving Days, donors can fund causes or support teams in a fun, interactive way.

3. Annual Campaigns

Annual campaigns are tried and true opportunities to fundraise as donors fund their interests. If your organization runs multiple programs, events, or additional areas of need, the Donation Cart offers a limitless donation experience to fund any number of giving opportunities at one time. 

4. Special Events

Special events energize your donors. One way to sustain the excitement is to give donors an opportunity to purchase a variety of Donation Cart items, each tailored to enhance their experience and support the cause. Customize the form for donations, VIP packages, raffle items, dinner and drink packages, merchandise, sponsorships and more!

Benefits of Donation Cart

1. Easy Donations

Donation Carts simplify the donor experience. With a single transaction, donors effortlessly support multiple causes, ensuring an easy, one-stop giving experience.

2. Multiply Impact

Bundling multiple donations into one transaction reduces payment processor fees, while saving donors time. This cost efficiency means more budget to fund programs and impact. Donors automatically increase gift size, maximizing their support and making a more substantial impact on your organization overall.

3. Personalized Matchmaking

The built in, personalized recommendation engine means donors receive tailored suggestions for causes and programs aligned with their interests. This not only simplifies the donation process but also enhances the connection between them and the initiatives they support.

4. Fresh Insights

Gain visibility into what projects, programs, and initiatives resonate with your donors, allowing for better targeting and stewardship activities that yield higher donor retention.

5. Customization and Personalization

Go beyond rigid one-size-fits-all donation forms; offer donors a spectrum of options within each customizable donation form—whether one-time gifts, monthly contributions, or pledges. Build forms to exactly fit your organization’s needs and your donors’ preferences.

6. Easy Checkout Process

A great donor experience hinges on the ease of transaction. CauseVox Donation Carts offer best-in-class donations by incorporating multiple donations in one simplified transaction, easy access on mobile and multiple quick checkout options (Apple Pay, Venmo, ACH). 

7. Customizable Combined Receipts

Donor convenience doesn’t end at the checkout. Organize and access all your contributions conveniently in one comprehensive receipt. This receipt not only acknowledges their generosity but also reinforces your nonprofit’s brand and mission. It’s an all-encompassing experience that leaves donors feeling appreciated and valued.

Unlock Modern Fundraising with CauseVox

Experience the future of giving with Donation Carts. Let’s partner together to make your vision a reality.

To learn more about switching to CauseVox, check out our pre-recorded demo or book a live 1-1 demo.

For access to the new Donation Cart feature, or if you have additional questions, contact us at support@causevox.com.

In this article, we’ve put together a collection of fundraising strategies for nonprofits so you can see the myriad of funding options and choose the ones that fit best for your organization. Let’s dive in by starting with the key principles to keep in mind when forming your fundraising strategy. 

Key Fundraising Principles

We’ve picked four key principles that are at the heart of good fundraising. The essence of principle-driven fundraising is creating transparency, authentic gratitude, and strategic communication so that you can align your needs with donor values. When done right, this ensures sustained support and trust within your community.

1. Building Relationships With Donors

Donors that feel seen – and see their donations making a tangible impact – give higher amounts and give more frequently. The key is to build a genuine connection by establishing trust with transparent communication that shows how their money is making a difference. 

Personalized communication at the donor-level looks like grateful acknowledgement of their support, updates on the progress of projects, and intentionally creating a sense of community among donors. Donors that feel connected are more loyal and that encourages sustained engagement.

2. Transparency And Accountability

In our CauseVox Giving Study we found that the #1 barrier for Gen Z donors is understanding where and how their donation will be used. While the younger generation is growing in generosity and demanding transparency, it is true for all donors that accountability is key. Regular financial reporting, updates on project milestones, and tools such as impact donation tiers are a great way to instill confidence in donors that their gift is making a real impact.

3. Aligning Fundraising With The Mission

Matching fundraising efforts with the core mission of your nonprofit is not just a strategic choice; it’s the compass that guides your organization toward its true north. Your fundraising activities should speak directly to your organization’s mission. That is why crafting compelling narratives that help the donor see their place in the story are so powerful. When individuals understand the impact of their own contributions and connect with your organization’s values, real and lasting partnerships are formed.

4. Choosing Your Strategy And Creating Your Fundraising Plan

As the saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail! That is why selecting the right fundraising strategies and crafting a comprehensive plan for the year is imperative for your success. We recommend creating a fundraising calendar to keep you on track and organized in your efforts. 

As you read through the different fundraising strategies below, remember there is no one size fits all for fundraising, so be honest with where you are at and what you think will work best for your organization in the new year.

Download our Fundraising Plan and Calendar Template:

Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofits

1. Individual Giving 

Donation Pages

Donation pages stand as the digital frontline of individual giving, providing a seamless and accessible platform for supporters to contribute to the cause. In fact, 75% of donors are more likely to make a donation if the giving process is easy. Here are a few simple and effective ways to transform your donation page from a transactional tool to a strategic hub for building sustained support and nurturing ongoing connections with individual donors. 

• Recurring gifts are essential for fostering long-term donor relationships. According to our 2023 Giving Study, 64% of donors expressed a desire for automated charitable giving. Enabling recurring contributions on donation pages streamlines the giving process for donors while providing the organization with a consistent and predictable income source. 

Raz Refuge uses a recurring donation option on their donation page.

• Donation tiers offer supporters distinct giving levels that correspond to varying levels of impact. Crafting well-defined donation tiers allows nonprofits to appeal to a diverse donor base, catering to varying financial capacities and motivations. You can structure donation tiers as impact-based or as recognition/reward based perks for your donors.

Differing donation tiers for varying levels of impact

Crowdfunding Campaigns

Crowdfunding campaigns leverage the power of community engagement and are an effective approach to individual giving. These campaigns harness collective enthusiasm and support to reach fundraising goals within a specified time frame. Within this strategy, annual giving campaigns are a prime example, rallying supporters around a shared cause for a set period.

Annual Giving Campaign for Camp Havaya’s 20th Anniversary 

Crowdfunding campaigns on fundraising platforms provide a visually compelling and interactive space for donors to track progress, fostering transparency and community spirit. By tapping into the collective generosity of a broad audience, nonprofits can achieve their financial targets while building a sense of shared purpose and unity among supporters.

Major Gifts And Donor Cultivation

Cultivating major gifts involves personalized engagement with potential high-impact donors, often through exclusive events, targeted communication and authentic relationship building. These relationships extend beyond transactional giving, aiming to establish a deep connection between the donor and the organization’s mission. An important bit of information we found is that 81% of high-income donors prioritize a quick donation process, which highlights how necessary a seamless donation page is for your nonprofits ongoing fundraising efforts.

We also discovered that 63% of donors would give larger and more frequent contributions if they had the option to pay over time. This underscores the value of introducing pledges on your donation page. Pledges enable donors to commit to specific amounts over a predefined period, fostering flexibility in giving and cultivating a sense of commitment and accountability.

CauseVox Pledge Donation feature 

Donor cultivation strategies focus on understanding donors’ interests and values, ensuring a meaningful alignment with the nonprofit’s goals. The aim is to create a symbiotic relationship where donors feel not only financially invested but emotionally connected to the cause. By prioritizing major gifts and effective donor cultivation, nonprofits can secure substantial support while building a community of dedicated advocates committed to the long-term success of the organization.

Fundraising Events

Use CauseVox Ticketing Integration for seamless events 

Fundraising events provide a platform for face-to-face interactions with potential donors. They can include anything from galas to benefit concerts to trivia nights. These events not only raise funds but also serve as opportunities to engage with the community, build awareness, and strengthen the connection between the nonprofit and its supporters. They create opportunities for personal connections, allowing nonprofits to convey their mission directly and build meaningful relationships that may lead to significant contributions.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Peer-to-peer fundraising empowers existing supporters to become advocates for the cause. By tapping into personal networks, nonprofits can broaden their reach and inspire new donors. And your donors want to help! In fact, we found that 71% of donors are open to assisting in fundraising activities for organizations they support. Engaging your current supporters in peer-to-peer fundraising is crucial as this approach relies on the principle that individuals are more likely to contribute when approached by someone they know and trust.

A peer-to-peer fundraising page that has garnered support from 13 new donors

​2. Foundation Grants

Applying for grants serves as a robust funding strategy for nonprofits, offering access to substantial financial support from foundations that share a common commitment to advancing impactful initiatives and addressing societal challenges.

Identifying And Applying For Grants

A great place to identify potential grant opportunities are platforms like Insturmentl and Candid’s The Foundation Directory Online. While both platforms do require an upfront investment, they are invaluable in finding the best funding sources for your nonprofit.

Candid’s Foundation Directory Online is a great tool for finding potential grants. 

When applying for grants it is essential to read the entire application form and follow the guidelines. You can save a lot of time, energy and resources by only applying to grants where you fit the requirements. It is better to wait for the right opportunity than waste time applying for funding that doesn’t fit the funders’ guidelines. 

Developing Strong Grant Proposals

Making a case for support is at the foundation of a strong grant proposal. Mixing both story and statistics will help you create a powerful proposal. Foundations are made of up people–just like nonprofits–and those deciding if you will be funded are moved by both facts and feeling. Employ both and don’t be afraid to let your passion shine through. Again, remember to follow the guidelines! Foundations receive countless proposals and those that do not follow the guidelines are the first to go. 

Grant writing is a skill, and it’s also a full time job. If you are looking to apply for a large grant, or are not really sure where to start when crafting a proposal the first time, we would recommend hiring a grant writer. It is an upfront cost but the return on investment can be invaluable for your nonprofit. Consider using a grant management software to help with organization, administration and reporting.

Building Long-Term Relationships with Foundations

Just like with donors, relationships are key with foundations. In order to create and maintain strong relationships, get to know the funders. Keep up to date on your reporting, maintain transparency, and above all, be honest about  your challenges and successes. Funders don’t expect your program to be perfect and they appreciate authenticity.

3. Corporate Partnerships

Corporate partnerships are a strategic avenue for nonprofits to amplify their impact and foster mutually beneficial relationships with the business sector. Beyond traditional fundraising, these partnerships offer unique opportunities, such as sponsorship programs, where corporations can directly support specific initiatives, events or services. Sponsorship not only provides financial backing for your organization but also enhances the visibility of the corporate partner.

A way to include corporate sponsors on your campaign page or website. 

Employee engagement programs are also a great opportunity to invite businesses to involve their workforce in volunteering, fundraising, or skill-sharing initiatives. These programs not only strengthen ties with the community but also instill a sense of purpose among employees. 

By forging thoughtful collaborations and exploring opportunities such as sponsorships and employee engagement initiatives, nonprofits can tap into the corporate sector’s resources, expertise, and reach to advance their mission and drive positive change.

4. Planned Giving 

Planned giving stands as a forward-thinking strategy that allows individuals to make a lasting impact on nonprofit organizations through thoughtful, long-term, and sometimes multi-year financial commitments. For those donors pledging gifts, whether big or small, we recommend a platform like Givzey that helps you send pledge agreements to donors both big and small and forecast your revenue more accurately for the coming years. 

Legacy programs, a cornerstone of planned giving, enable donors to leave a lasting imprint on the organization by including it in their wills or estate plans. This ensures that their support continues to fuel the nonprofit’s mission well into the future.

Endowments, another vital aspect of planned giving, involve donors contributing investment funds with the understanding that only a portion of the investment’s earnings will be used annually, providing a perpetual source of income. By cultivating planned giving initiatives, nonprofits not only secure sustained financial support but also build a community of committed donors who leave a legacy of positive change, ensuring the organization’s resilience and impact endure for generations to come.

Youth Services utilized a planned giving/endowment campaign to help fund programs over the next 50 years. 

Leveraging Technology In Fundraising

In the contemporary landscape of fundraising, technology serves as a dynamic catalyst, revolutionizing the way nonprofits connect with donors and amplify their impact. 

Utilizing Social Media allows organizations to harness the expansive reach of platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram to cultivate a broader audience, share compelling narratives, and mobilize support. 

Online platforms, such as CauseVox, provide nonprofits with a streamlined and user-friendly avenue to launch and manage fundraising campaigns, offering donors a seamless and secure experience. There are other fantastic platforms for tools such as donor management systems that enhance efficiency by centralizing donor data, streamlining communication, and facilitating personalized engagement.

Causevox Campaign Page that raised over $400,000 with tons of peer-to-peer fundraising that enabled over 2000 people to give to Raising Hope Dogs.

You can also integrate data analytics for targeted campaigns. This empowers your nonprofit to glean insights into donor behavior, preferences, and trends, allowing for the strategic tailoring of campaigns for maximum impact. 

By embracing these technological tools, nonprofits can navigate the digital landscape with agility, optimize their outreach, and forge deeper connections with supporters. With AI tools like ChatGPT writing emails, blogs, social media content and fundraising campaigns has gotten a whole lot easier. Of course it still needs your human touch and to be infused with the passion only you can provide, but utilizing these new tools can help you work smarter, not harder.

Overcoming Challenges in Nonprofit Fundraising

Nonprofit fundraising is not without its challenges, and addressing them head-on is crucial for sustained success. Economic uncertainties are constantly swirling around and this requires nonprofits to be adaptable and resourceful, especially during times of economic instability. This involves proactive financial planning, exploring alternative revenue streams, and maintaining fiscal prudence. 

Adapting to changes in donor behavior is a constant necessity in the dynamic landscape of fundraising. Nonprofits must stay attuned to shifts in donor preferences and engagement patterns, adjusting their strategies accordingly to meet donors where they are. 

Building resilience through funding diversification is essential. Relying on a single funding source can leave organizations vulnerable while diversifying revenue streams, whether through grants, individual giving, or corporate partnerships, fortifies nonprofits against uncertainties. By acknowledging and proactively addressing these challenges, nonprofits can build resilience, ensuring their ability to navigate the complexities of the fundraising environment and continue making a meaningful impact on their communities.

Choose Your Strategy And Create Your Fundraising Plan 

As you can see, crafting a successful fundraising strategy requires careful consideration and planning. Begin by defining your organization’s goals, understanding your donor base, and identifying the most effective fundraising channels. Once you’ve outlined your objectives, it’s time to create a comprehensive fundraising plan that aligns with your mission and engages your supporters effectively.

To guide you through this process, we’ve developed a resource to empower your nonprofit organization with a strategic framework that ensures the effectiveness and success of your fundraising initiatives. Download our Fundraising Plan Template and Calendar to help you map out your fundraising activities, set realistic goals, and establish a timeline for implementation. This will be your roadmap to success!

Download our Fundraising Plan and Calendar Template:

Below we’ll explore four things to consider in nonprofit storytelling:

• The narrative structure
• The content
• The medium
• The donor experience

Managing all of the moving pieces of your nonprofit can be tough; sharing your authentic story as a change-maker doesn’t have to be. 

The Power of Storytelling in Fundraising 

Humans are meaning-making creatures. We are constantly seeking purpose and significance in the world. One of the primary ways we do this is through story. We craft narratives that give structure and context to our experiences, allowing us to connect events, emotions, and ideas into coherent and relatable frameworks. Storytelling enables us to share, understand, and shape our own lives, as well as those of others, creating a rich tapestry of meaning and empathy in the process. 

Now imagine your ideal donors. Who are they? What do they care about? Why do they care about it? How do they spend their money? How much do they give? 

Some of you may know exactly who that is, and others may have no clue. That’s okay! Understanding this is a journey and it doesn’t happen overnight. Start by remaining curious, sending surveys, chatting with current donors and those who have shown interest. Once you have gathered and analyzed the data, you will have a better idea of how to craft a story that speaks to them.

At the end of the day, most donors just want to create meaningful change, and your job is to invite them into a larger story and provide an easy way to be a force for good! While your work is so important, remember that when fundraising, your donor is your hero; without them you cannot do what you do! 

Take Wag Love Fest for example, they have identified their target donor: pet owners who have a very special bond with their furry friend and would do anything to see them live a long, healthy life! They created a touching video embedded into their campaign page that invites potential donors into a larger story.

The Narrative Structure

It is crucial to have narratives that center your donor as the hero as the Pixar and Storybrand frameworks invite us to do. As the fundraiser, you are simply a guide helping your donor find a way to make a meaningful impact in the world.

StoryBrand Framework

There are two major ways you can think about crafting stories, and you can test this through donor research and data analytics to see which is more successful for you.

1. Donor Based

A Donor Based narrative centers your supporters as a key part of your mission to create impact in the world.

You can see here that Miriam’s House uses the donor based brandscript to center the supporter as the hero by saying “you can help end the cycle of homelessness.”

Another example is Raising Hope Dogs who centers the donor as the hero by stating “Give A Gift, Change A Life” exemplifying the necessary role the donor plays in their work.

2. Mission Based

A mission based brandscript centers your beneficiaries and the work your nonprofit does. 

For instance, below International Justice Mission centers those they serve as the hero of the story and invites donors to support them. You can see how they shared his story of going to rescue more children in the small text beneath the heading which makes him the hero of the narrative. 

Other Considerations When Crafting Your Narrative

Here are a few things that I have learned over the years as a nonprofit fundraiser:

1. Fall In Love With Understanding Your Donors Problems

It is from that point that you will be able to craft and articulate compelling narratives that convert.  Focus on who your donor is through segmentation, research and surveys. Find out what makes them give and what they care about. Empathize with them and show that you care. In your messaging use phrases like, “we understand” or “we get it” to connect with donors and make them feel seen and heard. 

2. Clarify Your Message

“If you confuse you lose” is a common phrase used at StoryBrand. Create clear action steps and easy to navigate donation pages to ensure no donor gets lost in the process. With CauseVox’s site editor you can easily customize and brand your donation page so it is clear, easy to use and helps you raise more money in less time.

You can see here the clear, simple, functional donation page on the CauseVox site editor. The different customizable donation tiers also help you paint a story for your donor and show them exactly the impact they will be having. 

3. Remember The Heroes

I cannot reiterate this enough! As nonprofit professionals, we know all the amazing work our organization is doing inside and out and we just want to share that with others. But the reality is, people are inspired to take action when they connect with the stories of those you work with or when they believe they can genuinely make a difference by supporting your cause. 

Addressing these fundamental motivations is key, and by doing so, you’ll witness an increased conversion of donors. Find the balance between your mission-based and donor-based narrative and craft those stories effectively. You can try using the two different frameworks on different pages of your website, or in different campaigns to find what is most effective. 

Volo Kids center their donors as the heroes who are making a difference.

The Content of Your Stories

In our 2023 CauseVox Giving Study, 39% of donors shared that testimonials from beneficiaries would boost their likelihood to donate. Personal stories have an undeniable impact on fundraising efforts. These narratives possess a unique ability to infuse authenticity and emotional connection into your campaigns, making them compelling and relatable. Let’s explore how personal stories can transform your fundraising efforts.

Authenticity

1. Real People, Real Impact 

Personal stories are windows into real lives, real struggles, and real triumphs. When beneficiaries, volunteers, or staff members share their experiences, it adds an element of authenticity that donors can connect with. It demonstrates that your cause is tangible and that your organization is actively making a difference. We will touch on some ethical considerations in a moment, but the bottom line is stories convert people from strangers to supporters. 

2. Credibility and Transparency

Our 2023 Giving Study found that donors–especially in the younger generation–are driven by impact and results and wish to see tangible outcomes from their contributions.Sharing personal stories demonstrates transparency and openness. It shows that your nonprofit is unafraid to showcase your work, both the beautiful and the difficult parts of it. This authenticity helps build trust among donors, knowing that their contributions are genuinely making a change in someone’s life.

Emotional Connection

1. Evoking Empathy

Personal stories have a remarkable ability to evoke empathy. When people read or hear about someone’s personal journey, they are more likely to put themselves in that person’s shoes, feeling their pain, their hopes, and their joys. This emotional connection can be a powerful motivator for giving. 

2. Highlighting Impact

Stories showcase the direct impact of your organization’s work. When donors can see the real-life changes their contributions bring about, it adds an emotional layer to the act of giving. They are not just donating; they are participating in a story of transformation and hope.

3. Inspiring Action

Personal stories often serve as a call to action. When donors are moved emotionally, they are more likely to take action, whether it’s making a donation, sharing the story with their network, or getting involved as volunteers. Stories inspire people to be a part of the positive change they want to see in the world.

4. Building Lasting Connections 

Donors who have been touched by a personal story are more likely to become long-term supporters. These stories create a profound connection between the donor and the cause. The emotional impact lingers, making them more likely to stay engaged and contribute over time. In fact, studies have shown that nonprofits who effectively use storytelling in their fundraising efforts have a donor retention rate of 45%, compared to 27% for organizations that do not focus on storytelling. 

Measuring the Impact of Your Stories

Measuring impact in nonprofit storytelling is a crucial step toward understanding the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It involves evaluating the effectiveness of your narratives in terms of engagement, donor response, and, most importantly, the real-world change inspired by your stories.

By assessing key performance indicators such as donation metrics, audience engagement, and the direct impact on your organization’s mission, you gain valuable insights into the success of your storytelling initiatives. This data-driven approach not only demonstrates accountability to donors but also informs future storytelling strategies, ensuring that your narratives continue to resonate and drive positive change.

Ethical Storytelling Considerations

It is important to note that while story is incredibly impactful in converting donors, it can also be harmful to the beneficiaries we serve, especially if we do not co-create the narratives with them. When using beneficiary stories (as well as volunteers & staff for that matter) always seek consent before sharing anything publicly. 

When creating stories, aim to promote truth over sensationalized content. Again, authenticity is key. It is unfair to your organization, donors, and beneficiaries if the stories we tell are so exaggerated that they don’t paint a picture of the reality you face everyday in creating change. 

The best way to craft ethical stories is to ask those you serve what story they want told. Consider asking questions like, “What would you want the world to know?” or “what does our program mean to you?” to ensure that what is shared is genuine.

The Medium

Visual content holds the remarkable ability to immediately capture attention and evoke deep emotions. You know, those images and videos that tug at the heartstrings. 

Compassion Services International used powerful photos and other storytelling techniques to raise a significant amount of money for Ukraine Relief. 

Inspiring photos and videos of your impactful work in action is crucial, but so are the stats. In fact, 33% of donors say clear visuals like charts and images would increase their likelihood to donate. You can transform your statistics and figures into narratives that stir action. By using engaging infographics and data driven storytelling, you can portray the impact of contributions, painting a tangible picture of the real-world change that your generous donors can help bring about.

This infographic powerfully exhibits the unreported cases of sexual violence vs the reported through the size of the circles. It visually helps the reader grasp the extent of the problem. 

Innovators Who Care uses a short and powerful video to convey their impact.

The Donor Experience 

As donors engage with your organization on your donation page, it’s not merely a transactional encounter—it’s an immersive storytelling experience. Just as every compelling story has a beginning, middle, and end, your donation page can guide donors through a seamless narrative that resonates with their emotions and motivations. Here are a few ways to use your donation page as a powerful storytelling tool.

1. Have A Captivating Introduction

The donor’s journey begins with the opening scene, your donation page’s introduction. Engage donors with a compelling hook—perhaps a powerful image, gripping infographic, a concise video, or a heartfelt testimonial. This introduction sets the tone for the story they are about to become a part of. 

A heartfelt video on your donation page featuring beneficiaries expressing gratitude and sharing personal stories of transformation instantly connects donors to the impact they can be a part of.

2. Weave the Narrative

Your stories are your strength, and the intuitive design of the CauseVox site editor is your creative toolkit for weaving compelling narratives that deeply resonate with your audience. Effortlessly mix and match modules to construct captivating pages that precisely communicate your mission, vision, and impact. As donors scroll through your donation page, each section should seamlessly tell a story that reinforces your mission and highlights the significance of their contribution.

Rez Refuge breaks down the beneficiaries goals for the donor to paint a picture of what your support would help them achieve. 

We’ve seen that donors are more encouraged to give (and give larger donations) when they know their donation’s impact. You can showcase impact through short, powerful statements that are attention grabbing and easy to read like Rez Refuge does. You can also share the change you are creating by attaching a dollar amount to it like Innovators Who Care.

Innovators Who Care highlights the impact each dollar amount would have, inviting supporters into the story and clearly showing their impact. 

3. Personalized Engagement

Invite donors to be active participants in your story. Incorporate personalized elements, such as the option for tribute donations. You can include a section where donors can share why they chose to support your cause or dedicate their donation to a loved one. This not only adds a personal touch but also enriches the collective narrative of your community coming together for a shared purpose. 

Tribute Donations on CauseVox

You can also create donation tiers which allow for donors to clearly see where their gift is going. We found that for Gen Z, the #1 barrier to giving is not understanding where and how their donation will be used. By implementing descriptive donation tiers on your campaign page you are providing donors with an easy and clear way to be a part of the larger narrative.

 Donation tiers on CauseVox 

4. Clear Call to Action (CTA)

Just like the climax of a story, your donation page should build towards a clear and compelling call to action. Ensure that the donate button stands out, try playing with different colors and placement on the page to see what drives the most donations. Make sure that your donate button is always easily accessible to those on your website (especially the mobile view). Bottom line: Make it incredibly easy and clear for people to give.

5. Branded And Beautiful Design

CauseVox branded donation page

The impact of a branded donation page on fundraising results is substantial—76% of donors are more likely to contribute on a professional, branded donation page. With the CauseVox site editor, you have the tools to craft your perfect page without any design or tech experience. This user-friendly platform empowers you to make quick changes, efficiently manage your fundraising sites and donation pages, and preview all adjustments in real time. The design is crafted for fundraisers of any background or experience level to seamlessly harness the power of storytelling, allowing you to raise more money with less hassle.

In crafting the donor experience on your donation page, remember that you’re inviting donors into a narrative larger than themselves. Through storytelling elements, personalized engagement, and a visually compelling design, your donation page becomes a canvas where donors play an integral role in authoring the next chapter of your impactful story.

Start Building Your Story Centered Fundraising Campaign Today

We know that in the nonprofit world it feels like there is never enough time in the day, and while the work is deeply rewarding, we know it can be exhausting and overwhelming. We can empathize because we’ve been there, which is why CauseVox created a clunk-free fundraising software that helps you get more donors in less time.

Start building your story-centered fundraising campaign today!

Why Your Campaign Page Matters

Your campaign page is the gateway to your mission. It’s the first thing potential donors see, and first impressions matter. A well-designed campaign page is like a warm welcome to your cause, while a cluttered one may deter even the most generous souls.

User experience and appearance play pivotal roles in motivating potential donors to take action. When your page is visually appealing, you’re more likely to wow your audience. But it’s not just about aesthetics; your design should have a purpose and tell a story. To help you design a fundraising campaign like a pro without starting from scratch, check out some of our tried-and-true tips below.

Select a Fundraising Platform

You want to start off on the right foot, and that begins with choosing the right fundraising platform. In a world where you can customize almost anything, you might wonder, “Why not just design a fundraising page from scratch?” Well, opting for a pre-built fundraising platform has a ton of advantages, mainly because it streamlines various critical elements:

• Built-In Features: Fundraising platforms come equipped with essential features like impact metrics, donation tiers, peer-to-peer capabilities, ticketing options, and easily accessible donate buttons. These pre-existing tools allow you to seamlessly integrate and activate them in your campaign, saving you time and effort.
• Efficiency: Leveraging a fundraising platform’s existing infrastructure can significantly expedite the setup and launch of your campaign. 
• Expertise: Most fundraising platforms have been developed and fine-tuned by experts in the field, ensuring that your campaign benefits from proven strategies and best practices.
• User-Friendly: Fundraising platforms are often designed with user-friendliness in mind, making it accessible to both experienced and novice fundraisers. This lowers the barrier to entry and allows you to focus on your campaign’s core mission rather than the technical aspects.

Understand Your Audience

Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to get a better understanding of your audience. It’s like tailoring a suit to fit perfectly; you want your campaign to resonate with your supporters, so you can engage them in the most meaningful way. 

Start with creating donor personas. These are fictional representations of different segments of your audience. These personas help you relate to your supporters, understanding what makes them tick. Let’s say you’re running a campaign for an animal shelter. You might have personas like “The Animal Lover,” “The Local Hero,” and “The Empathetic Volunteer.” Each persona represents a different motivation and connection to your cause.

To do this, you’ll need data. Conduct audience research to gather insights into their preferences, motivations, and behavior. You could use surveys, interviews, or even study your past campaign performance data to identify patterns. 

By designing your campaign with these personas and insights in mind, you go beyond creating a generic page; you’re speaking directly to the motivations and preferences of your audience. It’s about making your supporters feel seen and understood.

Storytelling through Design

Now, let’s dive into the heart of your campaign – storytelling. It’s not just about the words you use; it’s about how you present them. Your design should complement your narrative. 

Images, videos, and infographics are your allies in creating a compelling story. When potential donors can visually connect with your cause, they’re more likely to be moved to action. With CauseVox, you have the tools to bring your story to life in a way that resonates deeply with your audience, ultimately driving your fundraising efforts to new heights.

User-Friendly Layout and Navigation

A cluttered, disorganized campaign page is a surefire way to drive potential donors away. 

Imagine this: You visit a campaign page, and it’s a jumbled mess. You can’t find the information you’re looking for, and it’s frustrating. You’d likely leave without making a donation, right? Well, the same holds true for your potential donors. Put yourself in their shoes as you design your page.

The importance of a clean, intuitive layout that makes navigation effortless can not be overstated. To achieve this, consider these best practices:

• Clear Headings: Use concise, descriptive headings that guide your visitors to the most important sections of your campaign (i.e. “Our Impact” or “How You Can Help”)
• Concise Paragraphs: Long, dense paragraphs can be intimidating. Break up your content into shorter chunks to encourage readers to stay engaged.
• Strategic Use of Bullet Points: Bullet points can draw attention to key information (see?). Also, consider bolding the important stuff. 

Design elements should work together to guide your visitors through your campaign’s story – all the way to your donation form. 

Putting Design Elements Into Practice

Let’s consider an example. A campaign for a children’s literacy program might make their campaign page more user-friendly by including:

• A Clear Donation Section: Prominently placed near the top, this section highlights the action you want your supporters to take.
• A Progress Bar: A progress bar displaying the campaign’s fundraising target and how much has been raised, encouraging potential donors to help you reach your goal.
• Impact Metrics: Key metrics are presented in an easily digestible format, showing the campaign’s achievements and the value of each donation.

• Engaging Success Stories: Visual storytelling elements like images or videos of children reading, accompanied by their success stories, are placed where they’re easy to find.
• Contact Information: Clear contact information for the organization is provided, reassuring donors of accessibility and transparency.

These design elements work in harmony to create a page that guides visitors from learning about the cause to taking action. Your layout and navigation shouldn’t be obstacles; they should be a seamless path toward supporting your mission. With CauseVox, you have the flexibility to design and add to your campaign in a way that best suits your unique story and goals.

Visual Appeal

The aesthetics of your campaign page play a crucial role in its success. Color schemes, fonts, and imagery all contribute to creating a cohesive design. Selecting the right combination can significantly impact your campaign’s effectiveness.

Let’s break down the elements of visual appeal:

• Color Schemes: The choice of colors is more than just a design decision; it’s a psychological one. Different colors evoke different emotions. For example, warm colors like red and orange can create a sense of urgency, while cool colors like blue and green can convey trust and calmness. When you select colors that align with your cause, brand, and target audience, you’re tapping into the psychology of color to evoke the desired emotional response.
• Fonts: Typography plays a more prominent role than you might think. Fonts can convey personality and mood. A playful, handwritten font might suit a campaign for a children’s charity, while a sleek, modern font may be better for a tech-related cause.
• Imagery: High-quality images are the visual anchors of your campaign. Pictures are worth more than a thousand words; they’re worth donations and support.

Wag Love Fest: Where Pink Meets Puppy Love

Wag Love Fest, an organization dedicated to canine well-being, has masterfully harnessed the power of visual appeal in their campaign design. Their choice of branding colors–such as the inviting shade of pink–is not just a design decision; it’s a strategic one. Pink is known to evoke feelings of love, compassion, and tenderness. 

Moreover, their call to “Join the Pack” perfectly aligns with the canine theme of their campaign. It’s not just a button; it’s an invitation to become a part of something bigger, something as loyal and loving as a pack of dogs. 

Wag Love Fest doesn’t stop at just color and text; they understand the magnetic power of imagery. Their campaign page includes a high-quality video that is heartwarming and irresistible. These visuals create an emotional connection with visitors and drive them to support their cause.

Their campaign design is a testament to the fact that the right blend of color, fonts, and imagery can transform a page into a visual narrative. In this case, it’s a story of puppy love, warmth, and the joy of being part of a pack.

Call-to-Action Elements

The design of your call-to-action (CTA) elements can be the difference between a visitor scrolling past and a donor taking action. The placement of your CTAs is vital. You don’t want them to be overlooked so feature them prominently in relevant sections. 

Also, size matters. The size of your CTAs should demand action and convey a sense of urgency.  Include action verbs such as “Donate Now”, “Join the Fight”, or “Give the GIft of Hope”. For tribute donations, consider a CTA like “Make a Tribute Donation” or “Honor a Loved One.”

Remember, A/B testing is your secret weapon for fine-tuning your CTAs. Vet different button designs, colors, and text to discover which combination elicits the best response from your audience.

Mobile Responsiveness

With the growing number of donations made from a mobile device, a mobile-responsive design is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have.

To ensure your campaign page looks and functions flawlessly on every device, consider these steps:

• Responsive Design: Ensure that your design adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes. Text, images, and buttons should resize automatically, maintaining a visually appealing layout on both small smartphone screens and larger desktop displays.
• Load Time: Mobile users are often on the go and have limited patience for slow-loading pages. Data shows that when load time increases from 1 second to 3, conversion rate reduces by half and bounce rate increases by 6%. Optimize your images and design elements to ensure quick page load times. 
• Content Hierarchy: Ensure your content hierarchy remains clear and logical. Visitors should easily find the most critical information and calls to action without excessive scrolling or zooming.
• Testing: Before launching your campaign, test it on various mobile devices and screen sizes.

Social Sharing

You can design an outstanding campaign but it doesn’t matter if no one knows about it. Harness the power of social sharing to get eyes on your campaign.

Make it easy for your supporters to share your campaign with their networks. Don’t just add sharing buttons as an afterthought; design your campaign page with sharing in mind from the beginning. Integrate social sharing buttons directly into your campaign page, strategically positioning them to capture maximum attention. 

Luckily, CauseVox seamlessly integrates social sharing features into our campaign pages, making it effortless for supporters to spread the word to their networks.

Tell Your Story, Your Way

In the world of fundraising, design is your secret weapon. A well-designed campaign page can be the difference between a thriving fundraising effort and one that struggles to gain traction. It’s not about being a professional designer; it’s about understanding the elements of design that can make your campaign page stand out. 

While you could try to design a campaign page from scratch on your website, CauseVox’s platform offers a host of benefits that can streamline the design process:

• Pixel-Perfect Branding: Craft your pages to be a true extension of your organization. Every element, from typography to imagery, aligned completely with your organization’s identity and message.

• Rich Storytelling, Fast: Engage donors with captivating imagery, videos, and testimonials, all optimized for lightning-quick load times on mobile and desktop.

• Tailored Fundraising Sites: Create a site that’s full featured and unmistakably yours, even if it’s your first time. From program details and sponsor walls to donor listings, mix and match to create a fundraising experience that’s as unique as your mission.

• Make Donors Excited: Keep donors engaged in real-time. Showcase fundraising activity with dynamic progress bars, countdown clocks, counters, badges, and leaderboards.

• Seamless Fundraising Integration: Eliminate the need for multiple tools or code editing. Incorporating donation, event ticketing, and peer-to-peer fundraising forms into your fundraising site is as easy as dragging and dropping.

Get full control over the branding, design, and customization of your campaign sites. Our flexible platform lets you weave your organization’s narrative throughout every element, creating a resonant, immersive experience.

Start designing your fundraising campaign for free today!

Encouraging tribute donations on GivingTuesday and through the giving season isn’t just a good idea; it’s a game-changing strategy. In this blog, we’ll dive into why integrating tribute donations can be so beneficial. It might seem like a small change, but letting donors have the option to donate on behalf of someone as a gift has the power to make a big impact and drive donations.

What Are Tribute Donations?

When it comes to giving back, tribute donations provide a touching way to pay respect to someone special. Whether it’s a beloved family member or a revered mentor, tribute donations allow donors to commemorate milestones and those who’ve profoundly impacted their lives while also supporting a worthy cause.

Leveraging Tributes Donations for GivingTuesday and Year-End Campaigns

As you consider how to wrap up the year with kindness, tribute donations are a meaningful gesture that not only boost your fundraising efforts but also strengthen donor engagement. Here’s how you can effectively use tribute dedications during the year-end giving season:

1. Emphasize the Gift of Giving

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that people are already in a giving spirit. By offering tribute dedications, you allow donors to give a gift to their loved ones that goes beyond traditional material presents. Highlight the idea that making a donation in someone’s honor or memory is a profound way to celebrate the holidays, and encourage your donors to share the joy of giving by offering a tribute gift.

2. Personalize the Experience

Customization is key to creating a memorable tribute dedication experience. When donors contribute in honor of someone, provide them with options to customize their message or add a personal touch. This can include heartfelt notes, stories, or even photos to make the dedication uniquely meaningful.

3. Promote the Emotional Connection

During the holiday season, when emotions are running high, people seek genuine connections. Encourage donors to embrace the holiday spirit by dedicating their contributions to loved ones and sharing their stories on the CauseVox donor wall. Let them know that they can not only honor their dear ones but also leave heartfelt comments on the donor wall, creating a lasting and meaningful connection.

4. Incorporate Visual Elements

Consider branding your donation form with holiday-themed visuals to enhance the tribute dedication experience. This adds an extra layer of personalization and festivity to the donor’s gift.

5. Offer Dual Benefits

Sweeten the pot by making sure donors are aware of the dual impact of their tribute dedication. Not only are they celebrating a special occasion, but their donation is also contributing to a cause they care about. Highlight how their gift is making a difference, emphasizing that it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

6. Stress the Year-End Tax Benefits

During year-end campaigns, remind donors of the potential tax benefits associated with their charitable contributions. Let them know that not only are they celebrating a special occasion but they are also making a tax-deductible gift.

7. Provide Ease and Guidance

Ensure that your donation process is user-friendly and guides donors smoothly through the tribute dedication process. Alongside clear instructions and a seamless donation form, you can enhance a donor’s experience with creative touches, such as sending a heartfelt letter or a small token of appreciation to the honoree. For those using CauseVox, consider the convenience of sending an automatic email notification to inform the person being honored, adding a personalized touch to their giving experience.

Allowing donors to donate on behalf of someone as a gift during GivingTuesday and year-end can help your nonprofit not only raise funds but also build lasting relationships with donors who value the option to give a heartfelt gift. By focusing on the emotional and personal aspects of this feature, you can make these special occasions all that more meaningful for your supporters. 

Donate On Behalf of Someone As a Gift with CauseVox Tribute Dedication: How It Works

Convenient for Donors

The new and improved CauseVox Tribute Dedication feature allows donors to dedicate their gifts on your organization’s donation form. It’s user-friendly and positioned conveniently beneath customizable donation tiers. Our tribute dedications allow donors the option to donate either “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone special to them.

When they donate on behalf of someone as a gift, donors can also choose to send a heartfelt email to inform the honoree or their family about the donation, offering a thoughtful and touching gesture.

Easy for Admin

What’s more, implementing the Tribute Dedication is effortless for administrators. Within the CauseVox Admin Interface, simply toggle on Tributes from a list of available custom fields to add the option to your donation form. Tribute Dedication details are seamlessly tracked in donation data and automatically included in the donation receipt sent to donors.

CauseVox’s Tribute Dedication offers a streamlined process for donors to express dedication to loved ones while supporting your organization’s cause. It enhances the donor experience and ensures that tribute details are captured accurately, facilitating meaningful connections and gratitude.

Power Your Year-End Campaign with CauseVox

CauseVox is your go-to comprehensive fundraising platform, designed to supercharge year-end giving for nonprofits like yours to raise more with less effort. With CauseVox’s tribute dedication feature, you can effortlessly add a tribute donation option into your donation page. 

Remember, the ability to donate on behalf of someone as a gift is not just a transactional experience. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate and honor the lives of loved ones while making a positive difference. For us working in the nonprofit space, this is a beautiful way to expand the impact of our work – even beyond the populations we exist to serve- to profoundly touch the hearts of our donors and their loved ones. 

Ready to get started? Download our 2023 Year-End & Giving Tuesday Fundraising Toolkit for everything you need to unlock the full potential of your year-end campaign today!

Get Your Free Copy of our 2023 Year-End & Giving Tuesday Fundraising Toolkit:

This webinar is not just about statistics and data; it’s about empowering nonprofits to thrive in this dynamic environment. Rosenbaum will share invaluable strategies and actionable insights that will enable nonprofit organizations to bolster their resilience and ensure their long-term success. 

Whether you’re a nonprofit professional, a fundraiser, or simply someone passionate about making a positive impact on the world, this webinar promises to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the ever-changing giving ecosystem.

Key Takeaways: 

• Trends in generational giving
• The impact of non-monetary giving
• Insights from US nonprofit fundraising
• GivingTuesday 2022 results
• Strategic recommendations for success

Join us in this insightful session, to develop a deeper understanding of the trends and strategies that will shape the future of philanthropy.

This session will also feature a live Q&A and be recorded for on-demand viewing.

Join us and learn the four key elements of community storytelling: Inclusion, Attention, Reputation & Validation, and Action. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Inclusion: Nonprofits can foster a sense of community by involving their donors, beneficiaries, and volunteers in decision-making processes. Asking donors to share their donor stories and including all donors’ perspectives, regardless of the donation amount, can create a stronger and more resilient community around the organization. 
• Attention: In today’s attention-seeking digital landscape, user-generated content through storytelling is more effective than traditional promotional advertisements. Captivating narratives from real people who have benefitted from the nonprofit’s services or have donated/volunteered can capture attention and build trust among the audience. 
• Reputation & Validation: Authentic community-generated content serves as social proof validation for the nonprofit’s mission and programs. Genuine stories from community members carry more weight than self-promotional content, building the organization’s reputation and trustworthiness.
• Action: Community stories can inspire action among stakeholders. Incorporating storytelling on donation or volunteer sign-up pages, encouraging donors to share their stories, and using stories to inform internal decision-making can lead to increased engagement, motivation, and trust. By harnessing the power of community storytelling, nonprofits can create a meaningful connection with their community, inspire action, and make a positive impact in the digital age.

You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to forge meaningful connections, inspire change, and make your nonprofit’s story truly matter.

This session will also feature a live Q&A and be recorded for on-demand viewing.