Can I Crowdfund My Next Church Fundraising Campaign?
The tithes and donations given to a ministry typically help keep the lights on and cover essential missions. When special projects or needs arise, though, you may end up asking whether it’s possible to crowdfund a church fundraiser. This funding practice has garnered increased attention in recent years, but could it really work for houses of worship?
The short answer to this question is yes.To be successful in such an endeavor, though, church leaders must learn to look at crowdfunding differently. While GoFundMe and similar platforms may dominate the market, congregations must decide whether such tools are right for them.
Bookmark the DonorWerx Framework page to review the funding resources available to your ministry. Before delving into those, though, read on to learn about crowdfunding a church fundraiser.
What Is Crowdfunding?
While platforms like GoFundMe and Indiegogo may have become synonymous with crowdfunding, they didn’t actually invent the practice. Even though the first use of the term wasn’t until 2006, the system has been around for hundreds of years. Crowdfunding is simply when ventures or projects gather funding through large numbers of people donating small amounts.
This definition not only shows that it’s possible to crowdfund a church fundraiser, but it also seems to show that ministries have long been engaged in the practice. While there are now countless alternatives to the offering plate, wouldn’t taking up a collection for a family in need technically be crowdfunding? The answer is yes, but there is a caveat.
In recent years, the term crowdfunding became intertwined with digital giving. If you tell someone you’re crowdfunding a church fundraiser, they’ll wonder which online platform you’re using. There are many options to choose from, and if your ministry has a special project or venture, you’ve probably already researched a few. Before choosing, though, there are some things you should know.
Choosing a Platform to Crowdfund a Church Fundraiser
Choosing a platform for church crowdfunding can be difficult. Most of the major websites have no religious focus, so it’s hard to know if they understand ministry needs. It’s also not enough simply to type “christian crowdsourcing” or similar terms into Google. After all, the service that touts itself as “The #1 Free Christian Fundraising Site” allows literal hate groups to use its platform.
Houses of worship must be careful about who they use to crowdfund a church fundraiser. Even the appearance of impropriety can damage the ministry’s reputation. Fortunately, religious leaders have options other than those touted online. The digital giving software that many churches already use for tithing, for instance, can often serve as a crowdfunding tool as well.
While giving software suites have significant differences between them, there are some that offer a full array of tithing and donor tools. The SecureGive platform used in the DonorWerx Framework, for instance, can collect donations from web pages dedicated to specific projects. It can also let donors on your primary giving page select the projects they prefer donating to.
It’s important to know, however, that crowdfunding a church fundraiser involves more than just a dedicated web page or donation form.
Resources to Complement Crowdfunding a Church Fundraiser
Crowdfunding is a viable option for running church fundraisers. Whether you use a popular online platform or your own digital giving software, it’s possible to get a share of the millions of dollars raised via crowdfunding yearly. When conducting these drives, though, you can’t take a “set it and forget it” approach. Good things come to those who work to achieve them.
The following list of resources can prove invaluable in your efforts to crowdfund a church fundraiser. While some of these tools focus on getting the word out, others simplify the giving process for your congregants. And since both tithing and overall charitable giving are on the decline, such resources can prove invaluable to your ministry.
Take Advantage of Social Media
If your church doesn’t have a social media presence, you’re seriously dropping the ball. It’s a powerful outreach tool and can keep your congregation engaged. You can also use it to promote the crowdfunding tools you’re using with the church fundraiser. Don’t be afraid to drop a few dollars on targeted ads!
Offer Other Giving Options
While crowdfunding a church fundraiser offers many benefits, not everyone gives in the same manner. A young adult who just started college, for instance, will have different preferences than a senior citizen. This is why you should use text-to-give (seniors are texting more than ever), church apps, on-site kiosks, and other digital giving methods.
Focus on Messaging and Engagement
Having the tools necessary to crowdfund a church fundraiser is only one step of the process. Merely offering this option to raise money for a venture won’t lead to increased giving. You need to engage your congregation actively and focus on targeted messaging. This is what the lessons in the DonorWerx Framework focus on, so using that blueprint will improve your crowdfunding success.
Get Ready to Crowdfund Your Next Church Fundraiser!
People immediately think of GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo when they hear the word “crowdfunding,” but these aren’t the only tools available to your ministry. With access to the right resources, you can crowdfund a church fundraiser whenever the need arises. And by doing this as part of a larger giving strategy, you’ll build upon a solid foundation that provides benefits into the future.
It may not be a popular thing to say out loud, but your ministry’s ability to do God’s work largely correlates to its revenue. Whether you’re crowdfunding your church fundraiser or sending the offering plate around on Sunday, everything comes down to the commitment your parishioners have to give. The DonorWerx Framework can show you how to excel in this area.
Schedule a Discovery Call with our giving experts today, and we’ll teach you how to increase giving at least 10% in just six months.
