Fundraising Software

I had never really thought about how useful computers are these days when it comes to fundraising, but fundraising software can be a real help if you are designated the task of organizing a fundraiser for your group. Even better some of the software is inexpensive, or even free under certain circumstances. Whether you use fundraising software or just a word processor, a computer can certainly help you get and stay organized.

You can easily email your list of volunteers the same information rather than having to phone everyone with the same information, or having organize a phone tree. What a time saver! And of course you can easily edit your fundraising letters, so that each one is personalized, a huge advantage. It also speeds up the wrap up of events, by enabling you to write to the same people thanking them for their contribution, and letting them know how much it has helped your cause, and how successful the fundraising was overall.

Of course, if you are a small organization, it probably isn't worth your while to invest both the money and time needed to learn fundraising software, and you probably need to be very comfortable with computers before you take this on. 

 Using Software to Market your Fundraiser

Fundraisers take up a lot of time and energy, but it is all for nothing if you don't advertise it successfully, and computer software can help you. In fact there are companies that will do all the promotion for you, so that you can concentrate on performing the actual sales, of candy or calendars, or whatever. By using software programs you can send out press releases to different newspapers, and do this several times to start building excitement about the latest fundraising project.

When sending out press releases, make sure they go out in good time. Newspaper have their own deadlines, and they like to get organized in advance of that deadline. Sending out the information  4 weeks in advance is good, and perhaps you can follow up at the 2 week stage.

Ask your local stores if they can sponsor your efforts, in some way, either by donating goods, or funds. Make a few suggestions of how they could help your organization achieve its goals, and why it is important to do so.

If part of your strategy is to use flyers, see if the printer you use would like to donate the printing in exchange for a small ad on the flyers. All companies like to get noticed, and there may be other companies you could advertise on the flyer, in exchange for a donation.

Flyers could give a coupon for 10% off the cost of entrance to the big event you have planned - people love a deal! These flyers could be printed using software that a parent may have on their computer already, and they may volunteer to use their time for this, and a few printing supplies. Remember that you could put flyers in your local library, pizza stores etc, just get them out there.

Using software to market your fundraiser can make the whole process a lot faster, but if you have to pay for it out of your profits, then you may want to reconsider the strategy, or look for a business with the necessary software that will help support your fundraisers.