GoFundMe page is one of the most powerful crowdfunding platforms, but it’s also one of the most cluttered: the sheer amount of noise created by all the other projects competing for attention means you need to really hone your campaign to grab donors’ attention. We share some strategies for doing so in this guide, to make sure that both your project and your community achieve the support it truly deserves.
- Identifying Your Project’s Core Appeal
Every successful GoFundMe has a compelling fundraising reason. Find the unique part of your community project that others can connect with because it is about them. Is it an increase in local beauty, a needed service or the commemoration of an event? Is it children digging for worms? Is it pushing for a fantastic change that will make the lives of everyone better? Keep it and your copywriting simple.
- Engaging Community Stakeholders Early On
Prior to officially launching your campaign, determine who the community leaders, local businesses and other potential beneficiaries are, and connect with them. These initial conversations will allow you to refine the parameters of your project, and ensure that you have a network of early backers who are ready to promote your campaign once you officially launch.
- Storytelling with a Local Flavor
Write a story that includes your community’s identity in the narrative frame. Tell stories of a beneficiary or beneficiaries who will be directly affected by the project. Don’t forget to draw from local landmarks, events or history to create shared references with your readers.
- Utilizing Visuals That Reflect Your Community
Include great images and videos that tell the story of your community and the project’s impact. Before and afters, if you have them, can be a powerful tool to highlight what the money will accomplish.
- Building a Social Media Strategy with Local Reach
Harness social media tools, especially those with large local followings. Engage with local news outlets, local influencers and community groups to share your campaign. Tailoring the campaign and communicating it in a way that makes sense to local interests and concerns will likely boost engagement and sharing.
- Organizing Local Events to Boost Visibility
Sponsor events that advance your goals, such as a community cleanup, an art show or an information table at a town fair. This can help build awareness, a sense of community, and a direct channel for donations.
- Transparency and Updates
Be transparent with donors about where Gofundme page the money is going to be spent, when the project will be completed, and what setbacks are happening along the way. Sticking to your word shows donors that they’re involved in a process with you, rather than just signing a cheque and leaving you to it.
- Celebrating Success and Acknowledging Contributions
If you meet the funding goals, throw a party – whether for the kick-off of your project or the ‘thank you’ for the donors who made it possible. Highlighting the donors – both individual and business – publicly can make friends and keep them coming back.
- Evaluation and Reflection
Once the project is finished, write up some results and share its success with your sponsoring community. As Peter L Press has explained, it’s good to sit down after any difficult community project and reflect on what went well and what could have been better. This is a great guiding principle, not only for the community I mentioned before, but for all such projects.
- Fostering Ongoing Community Engagement
Channel the momentum of your campaign into continuing community involvement – through volunteer activities, follow-up projects, or just keeping the conversation going. This can help create a stronger and more connected community.
Conclusion
A crowdfunding campaign for a community project, it turns out, isn’t just a fundraiser – it’s a chance to build community. Connecting with people on your commonality is one thing – building a community that’s focused on doing something together, rather than simply being an amalgamation of individuals, takes it to a whole other level. And because the goal of crowdfunding campaigns can’t just be about the money, if you start with the uniqueness of your community, get stakeholders involved before you kick off your campaign, and show transparency with your audience while you’re crowdfunding, you can achieve your campaign goal and, at the same time, build your community, spawning positive effects that last.