Whether your group has a website or not, there are several different ways to raise money online:
1. IF YOUR GROUP HAS A WEBSITE
Asking for donations on your website:
If your site already has a good amount of traffic (at least a few hundred visitors a month for a small group. You’re checking your statistics, right?), then simply adding a “Donation” button might be all you need. PayPal.com has a very easy way of doing this; there aren’t any set-up fees and you only pay a small percentage on each amount donated.
If your site lacks traffic, you can promote your site on the web with simple marketing techniques and e-mail campaigns.
Having an e-mail list of interested parties and potential donors is incredibly useful when raising money online. Get into the habit of always collecting e-mail addresses at functions, meetings, or on your website. Of course, assure anyone who signs up that you won’t use their e-mail addresses for anything else, but for the sole purpose of keeping them informed about your cause.
People will appreciate being updated on any fundraising efforts and successes. Be sure to include a link to your website in each e-mail.
Selling products online to raise funds:
You can also sell products online in order to raise funds for your group. You could create your own online store, but an easier alternative would be to set up your own “hosted store” on a site like cafepress.com, or create an account with an online charity mall like iGive.com or Giveness.com. Then you can simply send visitors from your site to the respective sites and each sale will generate income for your group!
Another very lucrative fundraiser is an online magazine fundraiser. A popular online magazine fundraising programs is at MagFundraising.com.
Any type of online fundraising will be easier and more lucrative, if you have a substantial e-mail list, since it is impertinent to send out periodic messages to remind people to buy through your site, or other websites’ programs your group is signed up with. Having a website isn’t even necessary for many online fundraisers, since all the ordering, e-mail management, and payments are done through the fundraising company’s website. However, having your own website can greatly contribute to the amount of visitors taking part in your online fundraising efforts.
