There is a saying in the world of nonprofit fundraising and that is:
People give to People
What this means is that if you want to motivate people to give to your charity or cause you need to put a "human face" on it. People respond more favorably when they can identify and empathize with your cause. People feel better about donating their time and money when they know that they are making a difference in the lives of others.
People also feel more compelled to give to organizations when they are asked directly by a member or supporter of your organization.
What does this have to do with online fundraising?
According to experts in the communications industry, the World Wide Web entered the phase of Web 2.0 several years ago. Web 2.0 is usually described as user-friendly and participatory. Internet users can create and share information online and form social networks utilizing social media platforms. Some well-known social media platforms are Blogger, MySpace, Facebook, Squidoo and Twitter.
This means that your organization can use the power of social networking and social media on the internet to raise money and awareness for your cause. Social networking can provide an entirely new method of building relationships and communicating with people who share your organization's values and who know other people who have the same values.
The social media platforms mentioned above are all free to use which makes them extremely popular. Many organizations and individuals are already using them in their fundraising efforts.
There are also social media platforms that have been established with the sole purpose of nonprofit giving and fundraising. Some of these websites and platforms are:
Sixdegrees.org
FirstGiving.com
YourCause.com
Yahoo for Good
NetworkForGood.org
Change.org
ammado.com
zazengo.com
Razoo.com
BringLight.com
socialvibe.com
Using social media for fundraising is not just a passing trend. On the contrary. The users of MySpace and Facebook, for example, who have grown up using the internet for social networking are the nonprofit donors of the future. This segment of the population will continue to use social networking and Web 2.0 technologies. Nonprofit organizations and charities can reach these future donors and volunteers and build personal relationships with them utilizing social media tools.
Article by Amy Passmore of DIY Fundraising.
Are you looking for ideas on how to raise money for your school, charity or nonprofit organization? Visit http://www.diyfundraising.com for more great tips and resources from an experienced fundraiser.
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