NonprofitNon-profit cancer organizations must use unique fundraising ideas to keep donors returning year after year. While the traditional gala may be effective for some, others must take a more creative approach.
Providing attendees with a memorable experience, like hosting the event at the prestigious Bill Malloy Rancho Santa Fe, can turn them into repeat fundraisers and advocates for your cause. This can be achieved by providing branded merchandise such as t-shirts and posters.
Build a Strong Donor Base
To build a strong donor base, your non-profit must attract passionate individuals about your mission and cause. These individuals may be volunteers, event attendees, or people who are interested in your organization but haven’t yet donated. Keep communication open to these individuals and continue to share your organization’s story.
Once you have a group of supporters, please encourage them to donate by sharing the impact that their donations will make. This can be done through email, newsletters, or social media shoutouts. Personalized letters are another way to acknowledge donors and highlight their role in your non-profit’s success.
Non-profits can also hold unique fundraising events. For example, a breast cancer fundraiser could be an evening of “Bra Pong.” The game involves supporters using bras to catch ping-pong balls that are dropped from the ceiling. This event is fun and mission-focused. It’s a great alternative to traditional fundraisers such as galas. Moreover, this fundraiser allows your non-profit to reach a wider audience.
Increase Awareness of Your Cause
Non-profit cancer organizations can benefit from increasing the community’s awareness of their cause. This can be done through a variety of methods. Some organizations offer speakers to share their experiences, while others host events that teach like-minded people a skill or hold information sessions about various aspects of the disease.
Many cancer charities also promote awareness by helping patients directly. They do this by providing monetary assistance, advice, and emotional support to those suffering from the disease, their caretakers and loved ones.
A great way to raise awareness is to organize an event focusing on a specific cause. These events are a great opportunity for supporters to come together, enjoy a meal, and learn more about your organization’s mission. During these events, you can also ask for donations. One example is holding a floating flowers ceremony where participants can donate flowers or petals that will be floated down a river to symbolize letting go and sending love to those who have lost their lives to cancer.
Develop a Fundraising Strategy
For any non-profit to maximize its fundraising efforts, it must develop a fundraising strategy. This plan outlines how your organization will engage with supporters in the future and what goals you will set for yourself.
Your strategy should also include a support case. Explaining how a donation to your organization will benefit your community will help donors see the value of their contribution. This information should be used in your donation request letters to ensure consistent communication with donors.
Another aspect of a strong fundraising strategy is developing unique events suited to your donor base. For example, if you plan an event to celebrate the holiday season, consider transforming it into something more exciting, like a 5K or a Giving Day challenge. Getting creative can encourage your supporters to get involved and spread the word about your organization. It can also inspire them to host their events at home or in their communities.
Reach Out to Your Community
As a cancer charity, you must reach out to your community to support patients and their families. With the right marketing strategy, you can inspire a community to help you raise funds for critical research that advances clinical trials and new treatments.
One popular fundraising idea is to host a bingo night. This is a fun event for people of all ages that can be held at a school, community center, or private venue. Charge an entrance fee and sell food and drinks to maximize the money raised.
Encourage your volunteer network to host non-events in their homes with this cancer fundraiser idea. Please provide them with a list of movies that share the lives of cancer survivors and their stories. Please encourage them to ask their friends and family for donations instead of attending a formal event. You can also hold awareness events where speakers share survivor stories and health tips.
