But, modern organizations are incorporating tactics to raise 20% more with their events right away, and then using the new Trellis and Raiser’s Edge integration to easily identify new high-potential supporters directly in their CRM. This insight is helping organizations prioritize the best individuals to nurture towards becoming long-term donors, creating a sustainable future too. 

Follow the 7 steps below, and discover how you can easily raise more now and into the future. 

For help getting started, connect with the Trellis team here. 

1. Know where your supporters are coming from. 

Using marketing tactics like affiliate links, understand where your supporters are coming from, and focus on the channels that best drive traffic to your events. Raising more starts with an engaged donor base. 

2. Make giving simple and all-in-one. 

Consider the donor experience and how to simplify supporting your cause. Bringing all the elements of your fundraising event to a single page and checkout will make giving easier for you and your donors. 

3. Incorporate strategic donation upsells. 

Ask auction participants to donate their auction bids if they aren’t the winning bidder, or prompt supporters to make a donation at checkout when purchasing event and raffle tickets. These tactics alone will raise you 20% more, and with a technology partner like Trellis, you can set them up in minutes. 

4. Try bundles to make giving even easier. 

Bundle up commonly purchased items into a single option to simplify the process for supporters, and to maximize your transaction size. Don’t forget to add a donation to the bundle! 

5. Highlight your impact.

The ‘why’ behind your cause is the ultimate reason individuals choose to support your organization. Leading with your ‘why’, sharing stories of life change and celebrating the impact of donations will inspire and encourage more gifts. 

6. Use Raiser’s Edge to easily identify donors with the highest potential for your organization.

When hosting your fundraisers with Trellis, the online fundraising platform, you’ll be able to easily integrate your donor data directly into Raiser’s Edge. Without even clicking a button, see which donors have chosen to make a strategic donation upsell, and who to start with when nurturing supporters. 

7. Nurture your supporters into longtime donors.

Using the insights gained through affiliate links and donation upsells, all highlighted in Raiser’s Edge, prioritize the highest potential donors first in your nurturing strategy. Personal connections, educating supporters about your cause, and providing opportunities to engage are just the beginning of turning supporters into longtime donors for your cause. 

Still have questions? The Trellis team has answers. Connect today. 

The post 7 Tips to Raise More Now and into the Future appeared first on Trellis.

Hello fellow fundraisers! 

Trellis and Social Impact Solutions recently led a webinar with CharityVillage about How to Maximize Donor Retention and Raise More for your Organization. It was a value-packed session, filled with takeaways to help charities raise 20% more! During our session, we hosted a live rapid-fire Q&A which attendees loved, but as we couldn’t answer all the questions then, we’ve answered some more burning questions below. As you take the tactics and strategies below, we’re excited to see how you grow your fundraising, nurture your donors, and ultimately raise more for your organization. 

Let’s dig into it! 

1. Should we ask for a donation straight up or nurture the relationship through storytelling first?

A balanced approach is essential when requesting donations from individuals on your mailing list. While it’s important to communicate your organization’s needs, it’s crucial to first establish a connection with potential donors. Here are a few steps to guide you:

1. Start by sharing stories: Use the first couple of emails to share stories about your organization’s impact, projects, and the people you serve. These stories should evoke emotions and resonate with the reader’s values, creating a solid connection between them and your organization.
2. Showcase your organization’s progress: Provide updates on your ongoing projects and demonstrate the tangible impact of your work. This will help potential donors understand the value of their support. Donors need to see where you’ve been and how far you’ve come.
3. Make the ask: Once you’ve established a connection and demonstrated your organization’s impact, you can ask for a donation. Ensure that your request is clear, concise, and highlights how the donor’s contribution will make a difference.

2. What if you are new and do not yet have success stories?

Even if your organization is new and lacks success stories, you can still build a compelling narrative. Try sharing your mission and vision, to explain the ‘why’ behind your cause, and how it aligns with potential donors. You can also focus on highlighting the problem you’re addressing with statistics, testimonials and personal stories to illustrate the need and urgency. Or, explain the strategies your organization will be implementing to address the issues at hand.

3. How do you ensure emails do not become dry and expected?

This is a common concern for nonprofit leaders. To keep your email content fresh and engaging, consider these tips:

1. Embrace consistency: Remember, your donors are extremely busy and constantly inundated by other marketing and advertising. In order to stand out, create content your donors look forward to AND be inspiring. 
2. Diversify your content: Mix up your email content by incorporating different types of stories, updates, and formats. 
3. Segment your mailing list: Tailor your content to different segments of your audience based on their interests, past interactions, and donation history. This will make your emails more personalized and relevant.
4. Test and optimize: Regularly analyze your email performance metrics, such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Use these insights to refine your email strategy and content.
5. Encourage two-way communication: Invite your subscribers to share their thoughts, experiences, and suggestions. This will not only keep your emails engaging but also help you build a stronger relationship with your audience. While this may sound daunting, Social Impact Solutions makes inspiring your donors to action easy. If you want to see how Social Impact Solutions can help you raise more money by improving your marketing, communications, and fundraising efforts, schedule a free call today!. 

4. Raffles require a license in Canada. Is the cost worth the return?

Absolutely! Raffles are worth the cost, but only when you add a donation upsell! Raffles do require time, effort, and cost to get started, however, they are a fantastic branding and awareness tool and provide a low-barrier way for new individuals to support your cause. Additionally, organizations that add a donation upsell to their raffles tend to raise 20% more. The addition of a donation ask is easy and quick to set up, and the extra money raised will offset the cost of running your raffle! Beyond that, you can use the data collected around who donated to identify new long-term donors for your organization! 

5. Can you expand on the logistics of how to convert an event ticket purchaser into a donor?

Converting your event attendees to donors is critical to continue growing your organization and current donor base. Follow these first steps as you begin this approach. 

1. Create opportunities to identify new high-potential donors for your organization: The best way to do this is using donation upsells, to identify the individuals that are currently looking for more ways to support your organization. 
2. Start the relationship: While we recommend reaching out to everyone who supported your fundraiser, start with a personal thank you to those with higher potential for your cause. 
3. Nurture the relationship: Use the tactics shared in the first question for more ideas about how to approach nurturing relationships! 

BONUS: Are there any fundraising tools I can use to help with donation upsells in my fundraiser?

While there are many fundraising tools out there, we recommend finding a platform that makes donation upselling easy. Trellis, is an all-in-one platform focused on helping charities raise more specifically through upsells. With strategic asks during your auction, raffle sales and ticket purchases the charities we support raise 20% more for the causes they care about, and we’d love to help you do the same! 

Ultimately to create a successful fundraising strategy, balance storytelling, donor appreciation, and donation requests. Connect emotionally with your audience, showcase your impact, and keep your content fresh to nurture lasting donor relationships and achieve your mission.

Still have questions about where to start and what to do from here?
Take the Fundraising Quiz to learn how you can improve your current strategy and raise more.

The post Top 5 Tips from the Webinar – How to Maximize Donor Retention and Raise More for Your Organization appeared first on Trellis.

Triple Donor Engagement Through Notifications on Silent Auctions

When you automate donor notifications and remind your donors when they’re outbid or that the silent auction is ending soon it will inspire more auction activity from your donors. When they get that notification saying that they are outbid ensure they have easy options to keep rebidding, make it as easy and user friendly as possible for your donors to engage and interact with your online auction item!

Ask Donors to Change Their Online Silent Auction Bids into a Donation

Imagine what would happen if every bidder that doesn’t win one of the silent auction items got a text notification asking if they’d like to turn their highest bid into a donation for the organization. They were already planning to give that amount, so this ask should be simple and the results will be game-changing!

Use the Buy Now Feature to Sell Auction Items for 150% Of The Retail Value

Include a Buy Now option for your donors. We recommend setting the price at 150% of the retail value.

Selecting the Right Online Auction Platform

Before these other tactics, the first thing you’re going to want to think about is finding a platform that can support all of the things we’ve just talked about, and actually, maybe this is the only thing you need to think about as the right platform will have these features built in and ready to use. Finding the right fundraising site will singlehandedly have the ability to change the impact of your success, especially if you want to start raising 25% more for your organization. At Trellis, we’ve built our platform to do all of these things specifically for you. Connect with our team here.

Raise More With Your Online Silent Auction

An online silent auction can be a powerful fundraising tool for your organization, but only if you take the time to execute it well and take advantage of mobile bidding tools. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can maximize your auction’s potential and generate more bids and donations. Remember to set clear goals, create compelling auction items, choose the right platform and promote your auction effectively. With these strategies in place, you can make the most out of your online silent auction and achieve your fundraising goals!

The post How to Maximize Your Online Silent Auction appeared first on Trellis.

Know Your Donors: How to Personalize the Virtual Experience

To make your virtual gala experience stand out, you need to know your donors and tailor their virtual gala experience. Start by gathering information on your donors, such as their past donations, interests, and communication preferences, you may already have some of this information from previous events and interactions. Use this information to personalize your communication and offer exclusive access to virtual experiences. Want to create a virtual backstage tour, behind-the-scenes video, or a virtual meet-and-greet with performers or staff members? Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with it! During the virtual gala, consider offering personalized recognition to your donors, like displaying their names on a virtual donor reel or sending them a personalized thank you message.

Create a Sense of Community: Tips for Fostering Connection Among Donors during Virtual Events

To create a sense of community among your donors during your virtual gala, you need to get creative. Start by emphasizing the collective cause and highlighting the impact their contributions can make on your organization and community. Don’t be afraid to host a virtual pre-event meetup to get donors talking and excited about the virtual gala. During the event, make it interactive by encouraging participation and incorporating group activities like virtual games or trivia sessions. And let’s not forget about social media! Create a unique hashtag and encourage donors to share their experiences and photos online.

Share Impact Stories: How to Use Storytelling at a Virtual Event to Inspire Giving

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can inspire giving and engage donors emotionally. When it comes to your virtual gala, sharing impact stories can help donors feel more connected to your organization’s mission. Start by identifying compelling stories that illustrate the impact of your organization’s work. Craft a message that connects donors to the importance of their contributions, using emotional language and vivid descriptions. Incorporate multimedia such as videos, photos, or infographics to make your stories more engaging and impactful. During the virtual fundraising gala, share impact updates with your donors in the form of a video or presentation that highlights the progress and success of your programs. And don’t forget to recognize your donors’ contributions and share stories of how their support has made a difference. With the right messaging and multimedia, you can showcase the impact of your organization’s work and inspire your donors to give generously.

Make It Fun: Creative Ways to Incorporate Games and Activities into Virtual Galas

At a virtual gala, it’s important to make the event fun and engaging for your donors. One way to do this is by incorporating games and activities into the event. Start by selecting activities that align with your organization’s mission and that your donors will enjoy. Make the activities interactive by incorporating live polling or a chat feature. Don’t be afraid to get inventive and try new things, such as hosting a virtual talent show or dance party. Offer incentives and prizes to encourage participation, and ensure that the activities are easy to understand and accessible to all donors.

Show Your Appreciation: Ways to Thank Donors for Their Support For a Successful Event

It’s important to show your donors how much you appreciate their support, and there are many ways to do so during your virtual gala. One way is to acknowledge your donors during the fundraising event by displaying their names on the screen or giving them a shoutout. You can also send personalized thank-you notes or emails after the event, expressing your gratitude and highlighting the impact of their contributions. Another idea is to offer exclusive perks or benefits to your donors, such as early access to tickets for future events or special merchandise. Consider partnering with local businesses to provide gift cards or coupons as a token of appreciation.

Make Giving Easy: How to Simplify the Donation Process for Donors

Making the process simple and user-friendly is key to engaging donors at your virtual gala. To do this, you’ll want to choose a platform that is easy to use and leads to a seamless donor experience. Trellis’ all-in-one fundraising platform makes it easy for donors to participate, learn more here. By simplifying the donation process and making it easy for donors to give, you can help to maximize donations and create a positive experience for your donors.

Engaging Attendees with These Virtual Gala Ideas

Hosting a virtual gala can be a powerful way to engage donors and raise funds for your organization. By following the tips and strategies outlined here, you can create a successful and engaging virtual gala that inspires giving and fosters strong relationships with your donors. To connect with our team and learn more about others who have run successful virtual galas click here.

The post How to Engage Donors at Your Virtual Gala appeared first on Trellis.

Make Selling Tickets a Game with Affiliate Marketing Links

Maximize your tickets sold all while making ticket selling a game! With affiliate marketing links you can keep track of what sources sell the most tickets and create an engaging fundraising game. With your organization supporters, give each one a custom affiliate link and set a goal of how many invites you want them to send out. Give them the email template, and set your expectations. Then each week, give an update on how many emails were sent from each person, and who the current winner is for inviting the most people. When the event ends give a prize to the winner! To learn how to use the affiliate marketing links click here.

Use Your Silent Auction as a Competition

Drive more bids and create an entertaining atmosphere by making your silent auction a game at a larger main event. Set it up by making each table a team playing against each other and the table with the most bids wins a prize for everyone to enjoy! This could be fun shareable food or a bottle of wine. Incorporating this fundraising game during your silent auction will make donors feel appreciated and more excited to return for your next event.

Create a Voting Competition For Gala Songs

Here’s a fundraising idea that will get everyone talking! Create an add-on to set up voting options for your gala, golf tournament or fundraising event with different songs to choose from. Then you can ask participants to vote on what songs they’d like to hear the entertainers play throughout the night. Keep the voting price low, this way donors will continue to vote and your organization will be able to raise additional funds.

Use a Mystery Item in Your Live Auction to Kickoff Bidding

Our favourite fundraising live event tip is to include a mystery item to kick off the live auction. Maybe it’s a child’s backpack or homemade butter tarts made by a sweet volunteer. The item is mission-connected or event-themed and it’s of low value ($50-$100). Your benefit auctioneer kicks off bidding at $1 or $2. A fun way to get everyone’s hands up in the air and get the room excited for the special night ahead!

Create Buzz With a Raffle for a Prize

To get started, you’ll need to gather a prize that you think people would be interested in winning, such as gift cards, technology gadgets, or experiences. To make your raffle more successful, consider offering a tiered pricing structure, where the price per ticket decreases as the number of tickets purchased increases. A prize raffle can be a low-cost and hugely popular way to raise funds for your cause while also offering an exciting opportunity for supporters to win a prize. For 25 Marketing Tactics To Skyrocket Your Online Raffle Ticket Sales click here.

Give Your Participants the Potential to Win Big With a 50/50

As the name suggests, the prize for the raffle is 50% of the total amount raised, with the other 50% going towards supporting your cause. This type of online fundraiser is easy to organize and can be very appealing to supporters, as the prize money can potentially be quite substantial. You can also consider offering incentives for those who purchase more tickets, such as entry into a special drawing or a discount on future purchases. A 50/50 raffle can be an easy and effective way to raise funds for your cause while also offering the potential for a large prize to one lucky winner. For a step by step guide to running a 50/50 raffle click here.

Picking Fundraising Games for Your Event

Fundraising games can be an effective and enjoyable way to raise money for an organization. They can bring people together, create a sense of community, and generate excitement around your cause. With the right fundraising game or idea, you can not only raise funds for your organization but also raise awareness about your cause and encourage others to get involved. So whether you’re planning a charity event or looking for new ways to fundraise, consider reaching out to our team at Trellis for more fundraising ideas and fundraising solutions. Reach our team here.

The post 6 Fundraising Games To Keep Donors Engaged appeared first on Trellis.

1. Online Silent Auction

An online silent auction can have great fundraising potential, especially if you have unique experiences to offer. Silent auctions can be run as a stand alone event or as an add on to a larger fundraising campaign. To get started, you’ll need to gather a variety of items that you think people would be interested in bidding on, don’t forget to consider asking sponsors to donate items. Not only does an online silent auction raise money for your cause, but it also offers a fun and exciting way for supporters to engage with your organization. In addition, hosting your silent auction online allows it to be accessible to a wider audience. Spread the word far and wide through the use of direct email and social media.

To blow your silent auction out of the park ensure you notify donors when they are outbid and give them easy options to keep rebidding. Learn more about how you can set this up by reaching out to our team here. 

2. Gala

This type of event can be a formal dinner, a cocktail party, or even a masquerade ball. To make the most of this fundraising event, you’ll need to secure a suitable venue and plan a program that includes a keynote speaker and entertainment. Don’t forget to offer sponsorship opportunities to local businesses to help cover the costs of the event. To raise additional funds on top of entrance fee ticket sales don’t forget to add other revenue drivers to your gala such as an auction or raffle. A fundraising gala can be a thrilling affair that offers a memorable and enjoyable experience for your supporters, and can also provide an opportunity to showcase your organization and its impact.

Here’s an idea! You could involve your sponsors by asking them to donate bottles of wine. Then, your first 100 ticket purchasers receive a complimentary bottle of wine to enjoy at their table during your event!

3. Golf Tournament

A fundraising golf tournament is a perfect way to combine outdoor fun with a good cause. Invite your supporters to a day of golf, socializing, and giving back to your community. To make the most of a golf tournament, organize a fun-filled program that includes contests, giveaways, and maybe even a raffle. To increase engagement and excitement, create unique challenges that encourage attendees to donate. A fundraising golf tournament can be a lighthearted and enjoyable way to maximize funds raised for your cause, all while providing a great experience for your supporters.

Don’t forget to create add ons to raise additional funds! For a golf tournament, you can add on mulligans as seen below. 

4. Prize Raffle

A prize raffle is a simple and effective way to raise money for your organization or cause. It’s easy to organize and can be a fun way for supporters to contribute to your cause while also having the chance to win a prize. To get started, you’ll need to gather a prize that you think people would be interested in winning, such as gift cards, technology gadgets, or experiences. To make your raffle more successful, consider offering a tiered pricing structure, where the price per ticket decreases as the number of tickets purchased increases. A prize raffle can be a low-cost and low-effort way to raise funds for your cause while also offering an exciting opportunity for supporters to win a prize. For 25 Marketing Tactics To Skyrocket Your Online Raffle Ticket Sales click here.

5. 50/50 Raffle

As the name suggests, the prize for the raffle is 50% of the total amount raised, with the other 50% going towards supporting your cause. This type of online fundraiser is easy to organize and can be very appealing to supporters, as the prize money can potentially be quite substantial. You can also consider offering incentives for those who purchase more tickets, such as entry into a special drawing or a discount on future purchases. A 50/50 raffle can be an easy and effective way to raise funds for your cause while also offering the potential for a large prize to one lucky winner. For a step by step guide to running a 50/50 raffle click here.

If you want to use your 50/50 or prize raffle to acquire more donors and collect donations try out Trellis’ donation augmented online fundraising tools.

6. Gift Boxes

Create and sell activity gift boxes for your donors! The items inside can vary based on your donor base, but pick a theme that feels relevant to your organization and would be fun for your network to participate in. Try an activity box, and fill it with challenges, games, and activities to try! Encourage participants to share their progress on social media so you can cheer them on as you go. And make sure to partner with sponsors to fill the boxes with great items. Give donors clear instructions on how to pick up their boxes. You can even tie in the box items to a virtual aspect!

7. Cooking Class

A cooking class fundraiser provides a fun and educational experience for your supporters. This type of event can be hosted on a virtual platform, where attendees can learn how to cook a specific dish or cuisine from a professional chef or cooking enthusiast. To make the most of your cooking class, choose a theme that is popular and has broad appeal, such as Italian cuisine or healthy cooking. Sell tickets for your event online, and be sure to promote it on social media and through email campaigns. You can also offer incentive packages that include ingredients or tools needed to participate in the cooking class. A cooking class fundraiser can be a creative and exciting way to raise funds for your cause.

8. Live Auction

A live auction is an exciting and engaging way to raise money for your organization or cause. It can be an enjoyable experience for your supporters, who get to bid on unique and one-of-a-kind items or experiences while also supporting your mission. To make the most of your live auction, gather items or experiences that have high perceived value and broad appeal, such as vacation packages, artwork, or celebrity meet-and-greets. Make sure to enlist an auctioneer who is skilled at engaging the audience and maximizing bids. To ensure a successful live auction, consider offering incentives like VIP seating or an exclusive pre-auction cocktail hour to your top supporters.

Our favourite live auction tip is to include a mystery item to kick off the live auction. Maybe it’s a child’s backpack or homemade butter tarts made by a sweet volunteer. The item is mission-connected or event-themed and it’s of low value ($50-$100). Your benefit auctioneer kicks off bidding at $1 or $2. A perfect way to get everyone’s hands up in the air and get the room excited!

9. Donation Campaign

With the rise of online giving, setting up a donation campaign has never been easier. To create a successful online donation campaign, start by identifying your target audience and creating a compelling message that speaks directly to them. Use storytelling and multimedia like videos and images to bring your cause to life and inspire supporters to take action. Make it easy for supporters to donate by setting up a branded donation page. Share your donation page widely through email campaigns, social media, and website banners. Consider adding incentives for donors, like a special thank-you video or exclusive content that showcases your impact. Regularly update your supporters on your progress and thank them for their contributions to build a sense of community and show the impact of their support.

10. Selling Merchandise

Not only does selling merchandise provide a revenue stream, but it can also help spread awareness of your mission and build a sense of community among your supporters. Ensure you are creating high-quality products that are aligned with your mission and have broad appeal. This could include t-shirts, stickers, tote bags, or other branded items. You can also sell your merchandise at events or partner with local businesses to increase visibility and reach. To maximize your profits, keep your costs low and be sure to set prices that are competitive yet profitable.

Picking a Fundraising Event to Raise Money for Your Organization

There are creative fundraising ideas to suit every budget, audience, and mission. When picking your fundraising event it’s important to be creative and think outside the box, but also to stay true to your organization’s values and mission. Remember that the key to a successful fundraiser is to engage and inspire your supporters, and to make them feel like they are part of a community working towards a common goal. By implementing some of these unique fundraising ideas, you can not only raise funds for your organization but also build awareness and support.

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