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Educational Fundraising Online

Author: Melissa Hill

Why use the Internet or Social Media?

Selling cookie dough, magazines, and raffle tickets has always worked in the past for school fundraising, but the times are changing. More and more people are using the Internet and Social Media to connect, but some are still hesitant to use the Internet for fundraising. Isn't it all just a fad? Watch this, and you decide.

Fundraising 101

When fundraising whether on or off line, there are still some basic fundamentals that hold true.

1. Present a well organized, well thought-out plan for fundraising. Make sure your message is very clear about how the fundraising occurs and who is involved. You need a clear and consistent message, which can be more difficult to do if you are using multiple avenues or social media sites. Keep it simple, and keep it the same.

2. Be specific about your need. People in your community want to know how they can help. They need to know the need, but when you're using online fundraising, you need to be even more clear about your need. Some of your donors might not live in your area and might not be able to physically see your need.

3. Show a plan for the money. Donors want to know the plan. Spell it out for them. Be visual. Know exactly how you're going to use the money effectively and efficiently.

Is Anyone Else Making it Work?

Take a look at this article, "School Fundraising in a Web 2.0 World", from the Spring 2011 issue of The Fundraising Edge that shows how two schools reached their fundraising goals by using online fundraising.

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