Comments on: Trust, Social Media And Fundraising

By: Thomas Aitchison

Thomas Aitchison — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:04:13 +0000

Here’s some timely proof that raising $$ via social networks does in fact work. There are currently 46 nonprofits that use the Boundless Fundraising application from Charity Dynamics to support fundraising for more than 7000 events. The app enables individuals to raise $$ via their their Facebook networks. Since the beginning of 2009, these 46 orgs have now raised more than $10 Million directly through the social networking application. Even better — 75% of these dollars came from new donors to the organizations. $10 million in 10 months = real results. Read more at: http://www.charitydynamics.com/10million

By: Angie Caunce

Angie Caunce — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:50:20 +0000

The chorus of organizations singing that social media “doesn’t work” for causes because it doesn’t directly translate into increased donations reminds me of the argument in the Internet’s infancy that banner ads didn’t work because people didn’t click through and buy immediately. The mentality of “it’s a marathon not a race” was true of display ads too. No one would claim now that online advertising doesn’t work.

Increased donations are a benefit that an organization will accrue over time when relationships have been long established. In the meantime, causes can ask their social network to support them in other ways such as forwarding event information, or promoting campaigns. If social media “doesn’t work” maybe it’s because they are not doing it right.

By: Jim McLachlan

Jim McLachlan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:23:02 +0000

Every media has its place in an organization’s communication and fundraising plan. Thanks for this information. The site www. causecast.com is a website for fundraising but the sums raised for the charities will not allow anyone to abandon the tried and true.

By: Laurie Pringle

Laurie Pringle — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:53:17 +0000

This says loud and clear that we’re not using Social Media well.

There may come a time when we raise money directly through social media, but our focus should be relationship building, supporting events, identifying champions, extending online into real time/person to person meetings, and building our presence to give our sponsors and supporters a place to share their messages.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:40:36 +0000

No there is a surprise, trust is required in the relationship for the potential conversion of interest to financial support. Maybe we should all stop reading studies and go about the business of visiting people face to face and have conversations. Trust will not be given on an initial visit, who in your database is sitting and waiting to trust you?