Building your Community Bianca Crocker

Key Learning Outcomes Understand why community building is important for your non-profit Learn some key tips for: Community events Peer to peer fundraising Crowd funding

It’s all about people Governance Staff Volunteers Donors Community Successful fundraising takes place among many people Community Governance Staff Volunteers Donors

It’s all about people Engagement with prospects and donors is key Building community builds connection Reach more people = Raise more money Digital is important, but engagement in real life is key

Your community is important Community fundraising is a great way to foster community spirit Grows your organisation’s profile Enables you to connect with new people Hopefully start them on the donor journey The Donor Pyramid Bequests Major Gifts Regular Giving One-off Donations Prospects

Building your community Fundraising or marketing? Building brand or raising funds? It’s a bit like…

Building your community Community fundraising can take many shapes and forms: Community events Outdoor events Intimate functions DIY fundraising Peer to peer fundraising Crowdfunding

Community Events Nothing simple or low cost about these types of fundraising activities Build brand awareness Attract new supporters Some examples... Nothing simple or low cost about these types of fundraising activities – lots of time, planning and an expense budget is required Build brand awareness – Great opportunity to do this – and often should be one of your key objectives Attract new supporters – funnel them through to the – remember the donor pyramid?

Community Events – Top Tips Allow suitable planning time Set your objectives Consider target market and suitability of type of event Point of difference Volunteers Budget Market, market, market! Plan your follow up Allow suitable planning time – 3,6,12 months Set your objectives – Be clear about this from the beginning. Let them guide your event. Consider target market and suitability of type of event – Who will come? Will they be interested? Can they afford it? Point of difference – It’s a busy space nowadays so be sure to do something unique where possible Volunteers – Committee members, for actual event Budget – Do you have one? Work backwards from desired income goal Market, market, market! – Promote save the dates, tell everyone! Plan your follow up – Full benefits not realised if you do not follow up attendees (thank yous, survey monkey, eNews) Group discussion: What community events does your charity currently run? Can anyone share with the group an example of a time when they were involved in a community event that went really well. What do you think made it go well? What about an event that had some challenges? What went wrong? Let’s discuss any pros and cons – Make a list on the whiteboard / flip chart

What is peer to peer fundraising? Individuals act as champions for a charity They seek donations from their friends and family on behalf of charity Often whilst participating in a challenge or event

Benefits of peer to peer fundraising Lower cost to run and operate Engages your supporters Builds connections to cause Helps build brand profile in the community Opens new networks for your group Some examples….

One Girl 2011 > $36,000 raised over one week Today > Up to $500-$800k in October Tips from One Girl… Make sure your campaign has a good fit with your organisation Utilise your networks Bring people along the journey

Movember 2003 - 30 friends grew moustaches Today – 5m+ inspired to join the global men’s health movement across 20 countries and have supported more than 1200 men’s health projects Tips from Movember… The power of Movember is community “Rockstars and Roadies” We are the roadies. They are the rockstars and we support them. You can’t be everything to everybody

Other examples of peer to peer fundraising

Additional tips for peer to peer Harness the power of online giving Empower others Utilise social media Motivate and encourage participants Harness the power of online giving by using online platforms; i.e. GoFundraise or Everyday Hero, etc Empower others - Tool kits, information about your organisation, templates Utilise social media – to promote but also to mobilise Motivate and encourage participants regularly – these individuals are your greatest advocates

What is crowd funding? Another type of fundraising, but not strictly in the community fundraising arena Raising funds through a group of individuals; a ‘crowd’ Growing in Australia Online platforms: Pozible iPledg Chuffed Start Some Good

Crowd funding case study - Foster Care Association Specific project Achievable target Their own crowd Personal connections Online platform - chuffed 5,800+

Online platform Your case Rewards Videos

Video is king

Video is king

Video is king

Media support

Media support

Caring for Carers - Outcomes Dollars raised Engagement $5 new donors Individual donors Agency support Positivity and buzz generated

Crowd funding – top tips You need your crowd Suits projects or one-off expense items Plan, plan, plan Use digital methods to connect potential supporters to your cause Video is king Support from media (especially local) is great Suits projects or one-off expense items – build something, buy something, start small – don’t go too big! You need your crowd – Whilst the online platforms do have members and subscribers, you cannot expect your money to come through those contacts alone. You need to have your own supporters too (eNews, Facebook, etc is okay) Bring your campaign to life through digital methods (video, photos, interviews, music)

Remember... “Fundraising isn’t about asking for money. It’s about inspiring people to believe they can make a difference – then helping them to make it.” - Ken Burnett

Questions…

Get in touch… @TheFishChick bianca@fishcommunitysolutions.com.au facebook.com/FishCommunitySolutions linkedin.com/in/thefishchick

Win an Advanced Membership! 1. Visit our website before 5pm tomorrow 2. Register as a Basic Member (it’s free) 3. Two new members will win an upgrade to an Advanced Membership currently valued at $149 www.smallnonprofits.com.au