National Abortion Access Bowl-a-Thon
Show of hands 1. a-thon experience? 2. use social media for fundraising? 3. organizational membership structure? 4. put the "fun" in fundraising?
History 2010: 17 abortion funds and the Network raised over $180, : 23 abortion funds and the Network raised over $323, : 26 abortion funds and the Network raised over $478,000!
Reaching more people... YearBowlersDonations (some donors gave multiple times) 20101,0054, ,4868, ,06511,964 Note: average gift increased from $36 to $40 from 2010 to 2012.
Collaborative Fundraising Leverage network benefits to share costs Together our megaphone is bigger Movement-building! Share experiences, brainstorm solutions to problems
Why we do it? Member funds request fundraising support from us Positive impact on our member funds o Fundraising success o Builds community between member funds Strengthens connection between Network and member funds
Structure of BAT Deputy Director Member Support Coordinator Development Officer for Individual Giving Online Communications Manager Tech Consultant Member fund Event coordinators ` Team Captains Bowlers DONORS!
Lesson 1: Make Fundraising Fun!
Lesson 2: Fundraising as Organizing and Movement-Building
The funds that have the most successful fundraisers are also some of our best organizers. The Network has learned that the BAT is one of our most successful ways to build the movement.
Why? Follow up, follow up You don’t have to be an expert (in fundraising or event planning) Create and dispatch community ambassadors Turn supporters into fundraisers Turn dissatisfaction into action Collaboration with other member Funds
Lesson 3: Social media is powerful!
Pick a handle and use it! The shorter the better.
Great way to get bites of info about your cause into circulation
This person raised over $2,000 in small amounts via Twitter
Hey girl. This meme is worn out by now. But over 70 people "liked" this picture on Facebook within an hour of posting it. Because, you know, BABY.
From the page of a bowler with the New Jersey Abortion Access Fund
Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project's Super Uterus asks for money towards the Bowl-a-Thon on college campuses
Charting progress, weekly
In 2010, Danielle Geong and Val Vilott came to the DC Abortion Fund and said, "Yeah, we heard about these bowl-a-thons on Twitter. You need to let us organize one for DCAF." In under a month they raised over $15,000.
Don't forget about !
Lesson 4: Take what works and share it
Network staff are not the sole line of support for member funds. Most of our highly successful member funds share their experiences and expertise with other member funds. Webinars Conference calls Direct communication Social media
Lesson 5: Love your Bowlers!
Feel the love... - Share your success, celebrate! - Photos, photos, photos - Thank you letters or cards - Thank you calls to new donors - Invite them to help plan next bowl-a-thon - Survey them post-event - Must hear from you before next year
Scenarios Small group activity
For more info: Contact us at: Megan Peterson, Lindsey O-Pries, Visit: