Best Ways To Make Money For Charity

Chances are, there's a cause you're enthusiastic about. Yet, giving a donation just doesn't seem like enough sometimes. Sure, you can volunteer and advocate for causes that you feel connected with, but you may still feel like you can do more.

Thankfully, there is actually another way (a great way) for you help a charity you love —you can fundraise for them!

And you don't have to be a seasoned fundraiser to raise money for charity. In fact, all it takes is the same passion that got you interested in the cause in the first place.

Here are 5 ideas to help get you started raising money for charity.

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1. Check Out Their "Involvement" Options To Become A Peer-To-Peer Fundraiser

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a technique that thousands of nonprofits and charities use to get current supporters fundraising on behalf of the organization, and it's a great, easy way for you to engage with a cause you care about.

Oftentimes, charities promote their own peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns on their website. So before you start fundraising on your own, check their website for opportunities to become a fundraiser.

For example, Save The Frogs uses CauseVox to power their peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.

They include a call to action button on their website and a direct link to their main campaign website. From here, supporters can start to create their own page by selecting the "Create a Fundraising Page" button.

Option to "Fundraise" on Save The Frogs Website

If your favorite charity already has an option for you to become a personal fundraiser, then you're in luck. Follow the steps on their website to set up your own page and begin raising money for charity.

2. Set Up Your Own Fundraiser

If your favorite charity doesn't have an established peer-to-peer fundraiser ready to go, don't worry. You can set up a crowdfunding campaign yourself—and it's easy!

To begin (and to maximize the power of your gift), contact the charity directly to see what they need.

Most nonprofits and charities will give you information with regard to donation amount and impact, which can help you set a goal. For example, you can learn how much money you need to raise to sponsor a client, fund a meal, conserve an acre, etc.

From there, create a goal and a timeframe for your campaign, making sure that both are specific, attainable, reasonable, and relevant. Keep in mind that most online fundraisers run about a month, but even day-long campaigns are helpful for a charity.

Then, create a crowdfunding site for your campaign and get to work sharing it with your networks.

Setting Up A Crowdfunding Campaign Using CauseVox

Don't be overwhelmed by the idea of setting up your own page. It's a quick process and when you use CauseVox, you're given the same support as any large charity.

3. Fundraise On Special Days

You can create your crowdfunding site and raise money for charity any time of the year. But, capitalizing on special days such as holidays and birthdays can add an extra oomph that amplifies your fundraiser.

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Not only are timely holiday and birthday fundraisers effective (especially if people give you gifts anyway), but they also prove how committed you are to the cause, which should motivate even more family and friends to give.

A number of nonprofits and charities encourage their supporters to "donate" their birthdays and provide fundraisers with the support to carry out their own campaigns. These include charity:water and Charity Science.

However, it's not necessary to work with an ongoing campaign. To donate your birthday or holiday, simply create an individual fundraising page on your own using crowdfunding software.

4. Perform A Personal Challenge

A popular way to bring attention to your charity fundraiser is through a personal challenge. You may have heard about people shaving heads, running marathons, or dyeing their hair once they've met a specific fundraising goal. At CauseVox, we think this is a phenomenal, fun, and effective way to raise money for charity.

For many, their challenge is symbolic, such as the David Lichman Mustache Challenge. In this campaign, 2 veterans pledged to shave their 25+year old mustaches once they hit a goal of $25,000, which went to support charities helping other veterans.

Is there a symbolic or inventive challenge that you can participate in for your fundraiser? Brainstorm different ways that you can mobilize donors through a personal challenge and then tie that into your crowdfunding campaign.

5. Use Your Story The Right Way

Whether you're a personal fundraiser for an ongoing charity-run peer-to-peer fundraiser, or you're doing it all on your own, you'll be encouraged to share your story. After all, there has to be a reason why you feel strongly about the charity you're supporting.

Maybe it's because you were once a recipient of their services or you knew someone who was. Or, you could just have an affinity for the cause. No matter the reason, it's important that you share that connection with your prospective donors so they're inspired to give.

Most personal fundraisers use written word, but you can also create a video or even share an image of something that connects you with the cause. When you use CauseVox, you're given ample space to give your audience the information they need to why and how they should give.

There are many storytelling best practices that charities use, some of which you can incorporate into your own personal fundraising story.

Focus on the following:

Set up the problem. Explain what the charity does to help others.
Include an emotional component. Let your audience know why you were moved to get involved and why they should too!
Tell your donors how they are part of the solution. Let them know how far $20, $50, $100 can go in improving the world.

Don't forget to add some facts about the charity itself such as who/what they serve and their mission.

There are a number of ways that you can help a charity that you love, including raising money for it. And remember, if the charity doesn't already provide you with an opportunity to fundraise, don't hesitate to create your own campaign using CauseVox.

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To learn more about creating your own fundraising site, schedule a free 1-on-1 demo. We'll show you how you can maximize your reach and bring in those donations!

Also, check out our guide, How To Tell Stories That Connect, Move, & Inspire, which provides more information on creating a powerful story.