If you’re active on the internet, have a TV, a radio, or live in the 21st century, you’ve more than likely heard of online crowdfunding websites such as GoFundMe or Crowdrise, or have seen your friends doing online fundraising for a race, walk or charity event. Sites and events like these give people the ability to offer not only monetary support, they also give us the chance to reach out to our social media networks in support of a cause.
Nonprofits and their supporters are widely known for using social media to ramp-up fundraising campaigns and rouse supporters. If you’ve read my other blog posts, you know that I’m constantly sharing posts and tweets from various non-profits to raise money for shelter dogs (don’t worry, this isn’t another dog blog). The most recent fundraising effort that caught my eye, or rather – was waved in my face, was one from none other than my best friend, Stuart. Stuart has made the conscious decision to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for the second year in a row. When he made the choice to run 26.2 treacherous miles, he thought, why not raise money while doing it?
A little background for all of you non-runners out there, you can only guarantee a spot in the marathon a few ways – running for a charity, running the marathon five or more times in the past 10 years, or through a (possibly absurd) time qualification. Last year, nearly 16,200 race bibs were awarded through guaranteed entry and the rest of the spots were open to the lottery.* If your luck is anything like mine, your best bet is to find a charity that you support and start begging everyone on your friends list for money.
With nearly 45,000 people running one race, the possibilities for nonprofits to raise money are endless. The race-mandated fundraising minimum may be different for each organization, however, the minimum seems to average around $1,500. So how does one person manage to raise that much money? Social media. If it’s set up well, the non-profit provides its team members up with all the tools they need to fundraise. Not sure how to ask for donations? They’ll give you pre-written phrases to share on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, your blog and every other deep, dark corner of the interweb. Don’t have time to share your posts on a consistent basis? You have the option to schedule posts that are sent out from your Facebook each week at the same time (Stuart’s reminders go out every Tuesday at 8:40am, just in case you were wondering)! Can’t fit your thoughts into 140 characters or less? Don’t worry, your nonprofit’s got your back. Some even provide templates for email, Twitter and personal fundraising pages if you’re out of ideas or need guidelines for posting. There’s pretty much no excuse as to why you can’t raise money using social media, you can literally just share a link without typing anything at all.
Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms give endless opportunities to share your fundraising journey with people you may not be in touch with on a regular basis, but who may believe enough in the same cause as you do to donate. Who knows? Maybe your post will reach your grandma’s cousin’s nephew’s generous wife and you’ll hit that $1,500 mark in no time at all, cha-ching!
*Info via Crain’s Chicago Business.
Cover photo taken by Nike Run Club Chicago.
