Before technology has taken over the world, fundraising was normally done face-to-face and was known to people through word of mouth. Since social media and email marketing did not exist then, hosting of several events was very risky as many were unsure of the participants who are attending. Fundraising today normally involves technology especially with the rise of social media presence all over the world. Thus, previous practices still remain to be used and to this day can still be effective should NGOs have the following characteristics.
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Passion
Volunteers who set up booths for donations should be aware and passionate about the causes your organization has. If someone in unaware and doesn’t believe in the same principles, it will be difficult for potential donors to believe and have confidence in your causes. Show them much enthusiasm and sell the product as if it were your own. That way, donors can actually think about it.
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Show some positivity
It is necessary for your potential donors to know the severity of certain issues, but show them something apart from the problems. Too much problems and negativity can also discourage people. In all bad things that happen such as calamities and disasters, share stories of survivors who have chosen to stay strong behind the circumstances. These stories will reassure many donors that there is hope and that their donations will not go to waste. In fact, in situations like this, your donors would like to get involved and keep themselves updated in the happenings of the area or community you are involved with.
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Know your proposals by heart
As people who can potentially give your organization the means to operate and pursue causes, they have the right to know details and the expected outcomes. If they want to know the exact amount needed to deliver a project on to the people who will be implementing the projects, you will need to have the answers to it.
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Acknowledge everyone involved
When speaking of your successes in previous projects, it is always good to acknowledge everyone who has contributed to that success. Members of your team, other organizations, and the donors who have made it possible to implement projects. This form of honesty and humility gives your donors another reason on why they are needed in the equation.
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Show donors that you understand them
When it comes to face-to-face fundraising, it is important not to appear too aggressive. Let passerbys know that you appreciate their efforts and that you are not forcing them to make donations. After all, donations are not the only things a person can provide. Also remember that not all passerbys actually have the capabilities to make large donations. Thus, it doesn’t mean they have nothing else to offer. Not everyone may potentially have the means to donate, but these people can get you connected to the right organizations which they may be a part of. Additionally, getting connected to them will also give you the capacity to get involved in giving programs which they might be connected to.
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Stay in touch
Whether or not people actually make donations, the fact that they have shown interest in your organization gives you enough of a reason to keep their contact details and contact them regularly for any future projects you may have. You can also ask them to subscribe to your newsletter and follow you on social media for more updates. This is also a form of networking wherein getting in touch with relevant people will eventually lead you to more opportunities. Given that these people have shown interest in your initiatives, they may not be able to make donations now but can possibly have the means to do so in the future. By staying in touch, you won’t end up losing the opportunity to do this.
Face-to-face fundraising is a classic form of fundraising. From the time NGOs began operating to the technological advancements we experience today, this method still remains to be used at it is still as effective as it used to be. The effectivity can even be increased now because of the said technological advancements and access to social networking sites.
