How to Raise Support for Your Charity Work

September 22, 2015
3 min read

Lisa Manfield

They say that before you can take care of others, you have to be able to take care of yourself. And for those doing charity work, that’s often the case, particularly if your work requires you to raise your own support funds.

Support raising is a lot like fundraising for a cause, except that you’re raising the funds you need to be able to do your own your work, as opposed to funding someone else’s work.

If you’re new to support raising, or looking for some new strategies, the following guide will help get you started.

Set up Your Support Raising Page

Create a central online gathering place where your supporters can learn about your work, donate to your cause and follow along with your progress.

  • Personalize it: Include a description of your work, goals and milestones.
  • Add visuals: Photos and video give your page visual flair and offer supporters deeper insight into your work and impact.
  • Include a call to action: Make a specific appeal – people will give to you because they believe in you and your work, but they often don’t know what — or how much — to give. Let them know what is most useful to you.
  • Update it regularly: Provide regular updates on your work so donors know exactly how their support is helping.

Reach Out to Your Networks

Once your page is set up, you’re ready to start reaching out to your networks for donations.

  • Make the first donation yourself: Set the tone by showing that you’re investing in your work, and make the first donation.
  • Ask your inner circle to contribute: Reach out to those who are closest to you and most likely to offer support. This will build momentum on your page and grow your base of donations.
  • Send an email to your contacts: Let them know your goals, timelines for fundraising, and why the cause is important to you. Let them know what kind of impact their donation will have, and offer a suggested donation scale. You may also want to let them know that they’ll receive a tax receipt immediately upon giving.
  • Use social media: Access broader networks using social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and any others you think are a good fit for you. Post regularly, but not just donation appeals. Share stories, add images and videos and provide updates on your work. Create channels that engage people in what you do, and periodically remind them about your support raising page.

Thank Your Donors

Acknowledge every donation with a personalized thank you note or phone call.

  • Thank them promptly — don’t wait until the end of your support raising drive.
  • Reiterate the impact their donation will have on your work.
  • Keep in touch with regular updates on your progress.

Read this post for additional ideas on how to thank your donors.

Encourage On-going Support

Your need for support will likely go beyond the length of your initial support-raising campaign, so why not ask your supporters to consider making a recurring monthly donation. This will allow them to support your efforts regularly, without having to remember to visit your page every month. Learn more about setting up monthly recurring donations.

Additional Resources

Here some additional resources to help you in your support raising efforts:

Need more customized fundraising support? We’re happy to help. Give us a call at 1-877-531-0580 or email [email protected].