BANA International United - This organization based in South Korea works together to promote B1A4, OMG, and WM Entertainment and complete projects for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other charity projects that they inspire.

Here are the organizations that participated in our campaign. It isn’t too late to donate to these wonderful causes:

Neville Alumni and Friends Association -  NAFA to provide supplemental funding for programs and projects to enhance the quality of instructional delivery and student life, and to promote excellence in higher education at Neville High School.

United Way of Hudson County - UWHC is a community-based nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the lives of the most vulnerable residents in Hudson County, New Jersey, for 76 years. ​

Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation - This foundation supports pediatric research, education, community benefit programs, and other initiatives that improve the health of children in Michigan.
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Delta Gamma Foundation - The Delta Gamma Foundation fosters lifetime enrichment for members, promotes Service for Sight, and partners with the Fraternity to ensure the future of its sisterhood.

Zeta Phi Beta - The sorority was founded in 1920 at Howard University and continues to create a lasting impact on the community through its charitable efforts.  

Dual Sport Ride for ESA - Robert Reger is individually raising funds for Theta Eta Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, and completing a daring motorcycle adventure for this effort. The 3rd annual "2016 Dual Sport Ride for ESA" is a back-country adventure ride inspired to help the Colorado-based Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority in its efforts to raise money for the Denver Rescue Mission. This year he will be completing the 850-mile Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route (from Utah to Mexico) back-to-back for seven days. He will have no modern accommodations to signify his identification of the efforts in overcoming physical and mental challenges the homeless face every day as they overcome obstacles in life. 

Along with the organizations we worked with, many groups around the world are raising funds for #GivingTuesday. Here are some other groups making a difference in their communities. Check out these wonderful organizations and consider making a donation to their cause.

PIKE
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity works to provide a superior collegiate and lifetime fraternal experience and a focus on making young men better leaders in their chapter, better servants in their community and better contributors to society. Donations go to leadership programming, academic and leadership scholarships, and support to undergraduates and alumni.

Pawsitive Friendships
This group works to provide animal-assisted therapy to help children with special needs build animal-human friendships and works on a child’s individual therapeutic goals.

Delta Chi LFC
Delta Chi Fraternity at Lake Forest College is raising money for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The V Foundation has raised more than $100 million in honor of the award-winning broadcaster and basketball coach from North Carolina  State Jim Valvano who battled cancer. 100% of all new direct cash donations support cancer research.

Center for Transforming Lives
This organization provides safe housing for mothers and their children who are facing abuse at home. Along with providing shelter, the center connects women with education, job training and employment opportunities while providing affordable, high quality child care, and financial coaching.
Giving Tuesday is just the beginning of the charitable season of giving. We at memberplanet encourage you to find a cause that is close to you and we hope you’ll consider giving, whether it’s making a donation, volunteering, or spreading the word of a fundraising mission. Happy Holidays!

​Three common problem areas and what you can do to overcome them

​We live in an interesting time. It’s never been easier to access information. Most people walk around with a device in their pocket that lets them know about pretty much everything happening anywhere on the planet. For the most part, this is an excellent development, especially for nonprofits. 

​Nowadays, people are much more aware of social issues, as well as the organizations advocating for them. This is obviously positive news; however, it is also a bit of a double-edged sword. With so many nonprofits looking to raise money, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle. 

On top of the crowded landscape, a person may get an alert on their phone about a current news event and a moment later, one about their favorite pair of pants going on sale. On which item do you think they’ll prioritize their money? This leads into one of the biggest fundraising challenges:

Some folks just aren’t willing to donate ​

The key to getting anyone to donate to your nonprofit is by building a relationship with them. You have to get to know them – and vice versa – before even thinking about asking them for money. Instead, first ask them to sign up for your newsletter or download a pamphlet. See if they would be interested in signing a petition. Figure out ways for potential donors to create an emotional connection with your work before trying to get them to open their wallets. 

​You definitely do not want to overextend yourself. You may think your nonprofit should have a profile on every social network, but if you can’t keep up with the posting, don’t do it. Nothing looks worse than a page that’s collecting cobwebs. 

The first thing you want to do is determine who your target audience is. Then you can figure out which social networks they use and focus on those. Social media is a great place to tell stories about your organization, mission, and events, and it also gives you a fantastic opportunity to engage with people to build those precious relationships.

Mobile, mobile, everywhere​

​When’s the last time you checked your website on your phone? If it looks exactly like it does on your computer, chances are people won’t stay there for long, which means you could be losing precious funding. One way to improve the mobile user experience is by simplifying the donation process, and you can do this by utilizing the auto-fill information stored on devices.

Want to make it easier to raise funds for your nonprofit? Get in touch with memberplanet. Our all-in-one platform will help spread the word about you, make it easy to manage your online presence, and turn your donation process into a snap. Learn more about what we can do for you and sign up here.

What are you waiting for?! Add your group now! 

Between the internet and social media platforms, donation campaigns have been more successful than ever at achieving their goals. Your success will depend on your knowledge of these tools and ability to use them to your advantage. We’ve highlighted some of the basic steps to get you started.

Research has found that people are likely to donate more when they are directed to a branded online donation page, rather than a generic donation page. By doing so, your campaign makes the donor experience more consistent and fulfilling. This also confirms that their donation is going to the campaign they want it to go to.

A branded donation page should include a specific campaign logo, copy and a call-to-action leading to the donation checkout page. Services like memberplanet provide user-friendly interfaces that will get your branded donation page launched in minutes!

If your campaign timeline is several months long, it may lose its momentum. Potential donors might put off the act of donating until later since they “have time,” and then forget about it. That is why it’s essential to keep your campaign timeline short—no more than one month long—to create a sense of urgency.

Your impact statement should be dramatic and give people a sense that time is running out. There should be a reason for this deadline, for example, that a donor will stop matching funds after a certain date. The more you can create this sense of urgency, the more your contributors will take note and spread the word.

This step builds off of the sense of urgency. Securing a matching fund sponsor—whether it’s a corporate donor or a wealthy individual—can significantly impact your campaign. With a matching fund sponsor, you can broadcast that “meeting a $X monetary goal by Y date will unlock $50,000 towards the campaign!” People are more encouraged to respond to cooperative efforts matched with urgency.

There’s nothing more devastating to a campaign than successfully persuading someone to donate and then making it difficult for them to actually make their donation. The ability to complete a donation should take no more than a few clicks.

Ideally, your page should be mobile-friendly so you can convince people to donate on the spot and watch them submit the donation without a problem. If your campaign is utilizing email marketing, make sure to embed a giant “Donate now” button at the end of your fundraising email to take people to the exact page they need.

If you’ve created a video for your campaign, enrolling in the YouTube for Nonprofits program allows people to click right from your video to your donation page. What’s more, a video can be shared through social channels and potentially go viral.

Technology is your friend when it comes to successfully launching a donation campaign. However, you need to be aware of the tools available and find a user-friendly application that best fits your needs and makes your launch easy as possible.

Life simplified is memberplanet’s motto. We’re the first and only cloud-based functional network that aims to simplify the fundraising process. Cheaper than any GoFundMe and Giveforward, we want your contributions going directly to your campaign. Create a free account and discover how memberplanet can bring all the available marketing tools into one space.

As of November 2015, there were more than one billion people using Facebook on a daily basis. Imagine how much impact your fundraising campaign could have! And that’s just one platform. Millions of people are also engaging on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other sites.
 
A big benefit of using social media for your fundraising efforts (aside from the fact that these platforms and many relevant tools are free to use) is the sheer number of people you can reach all at one time. And if you plan out your campaign to include consistent posts on a regular basis, you’ll be sure to get the attention and support of your audience.

A picture’s worth a thousand words, right? Imagine how much support you’ll gain when you share your fundraising story in bold, living color using photographs and videos. Just look at the overwhelming success Humans of New York has seen.
 
When using social media to fundraise, you have the opportunity to illicit emotion from your viewers by showing them who’s being helped by their support or what their donation will actually be helping to accomplish.
 
It also allows you to provide valuable information in your content about your cause. And the best part? You can post messaging on all your social media channels simultaneously (tools like Buffer make it especially easy), so no matter which site your followers are active on, they’ll be sure to see what’s happening with your campaign.

There’s no time like the present and when you use social media to fundraise, you’ll have the ability to post real-time updates, requests for volunteers, progress reports and more. When your supporters can see that you’re only a few thousand dollars away from reaching your goal, for example, anyone who hasn’t given yet will be inspired to be a part of the reason you hit your fundraising mark.

Because of its ability to make a massive impact on so many people at one time, social media affords you the opportunity to thank your supporters and volunteers all at once. And because everyone can see your messages, they’ll be proud when they’re recognized for their efforts. Staying engaged throughout the campaign is also easy to do with daily updates and posts, pictures showing different events and activities and anything else noteworthy that’s happening during your campaign.
 
When you combine your social media campaign with our online member management tools, you’ll be able to direct your supporters to your customized memberplanet fundraising site where they can make secure, one-time or recurring donations.
 
You’ll also have all the tools you need to send out email and text blasts to your group, allow them to register and RSVP for events, easily create great-looking newsletters and gather and keep track of all your members information and much more.

We provide everything necessary to help you meet and beat your fundraising goal. Find out more about all the benefits memberplanet offers. Sign up for a free account today!

Social media can be your greatest marketing tool for fundraising efforts, as long as it’s done correctly.

Social media is a giant but gentle force. It’s a tool that should be used in almost every marketing campaign in order to give people the opportunity to share and get the word out. However, if you use social media the wrong way, you might end up getting so much negative press that your social media presence is doing more harm than good. The fear can’t keep you off the networks, but the following Do’s and Don’ts are sure to help give you that extra boost in the right direction.

MemberPlanet understands how significant social media can be for fundraising campaigns and donations. That’s why our cloud-based platform provides you with the ability to share your events and campaigns through social media with just a click of a button. Learn more on how our streamlined solutions can simplify your fundraising efforts today!

When it comes to fundraising in today’s society, nobody can deny the all-encompassing power of the internet. Organizations that have adopted and implemented online fundraising campaigns are reaping the rewards of the immense reach and communication capabilities that only social media can tout. 

If your non-profit has made the decision to begin using social media for fundraising, the prospect may seem a little daunting, although exciting at the same time. To help you, we’ve created this guide filled with tips on how to make the most of your efforts and harness all the opportunity that social media fundraising can provide. 

1. Establish a presence 

If you haven’t ever used social media for communicating with and engaging your members or audience, start right away. Create a Facebook page, a LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram account and start posting information and relevant content to establish your social media presence. 

Set up a schedule for posts; most organizations do them on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, although there are some that post daily. Figure out what works best for your group and be consistent. 

If you already have these pages set up, you’re a step ahead! And this will enable you to easily transition to fundraising activities. 
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2. Tell your story

The most successful social media fundraising campaigns are ones where people feel connected to the cause or the group. Make sure that your pages are being used creatively and that you are presenting who you are and what you do in the most vivid and engaging ways. 

Use photos as much as possible, use pictures of your people, events and any activities to capture your audience and get them interested in what you are fundraising for. If you have them, videos are also a powerful way to present your message. 

And if you can, show who you’re helping or the results of successful fundraising activities in the past. Let supporters know exactly where their donations will be used—this is key to encouraging people who may be on the fence. 
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3. Give them something to talk about

We have all witnessed what happens when something goes viral. It’s amazing how quickly content can travel around the world via social media. For your purposes, having content that is intriguing, moving or impactful will increase the chances of your members sharing it with their connections. 

So keep this in mind when creating your content because even the most committed supporters won’t share your posts unless they are touched by it and feel compelled to spread the word. Remember, the more people who know about your cause, the more funds you will raise!
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4. Be responsive

Getting folks interested in your campaign is only one-half of the effort, it’s equally as important to be responsive to your audience. When you post, encourage people to ask questions, leave comments and ideas and be sure you respond right away to their suggestions. Give a shout out to awesome volunteers or members who have given their support in extraordinary ways. 
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5. Implement an online management tool 

To make your fundraising campaign effortless, use our online member management software. With it, you’ll have an arsenal of powerful tools to create, run, manage and track your campaign and even go mobile with your own custom app. 

Your memberplanet management account will enable you to share news with everyone in your group at the same time via text message or email. You can even create customized email invites branded with your organization’s logo and messaging. And you can direct them to your social media pages to get more news about the fundraising campaign. 

When they are ready to make a donation (whether a one-time pledge or recurring support), they can do it on your customized memberplanet site. You’ll also be able to keep track of who’s donated and share your fundraising campaign’s progress with everyone.

​Today’s smartest and most effective fundraising campaigns take place online. Once you’ve decided to begin using social media to engage, inspire and gain support from your members (and others), be sure to incorporate the tips we’ve given you here and get started with memberplanet to manage the entire campaign—there’s no better way to rally support for your cause!

Today’s congregations are always on the go - now you can connect with them wherever they are. 
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Although your mission and message may not have changed, the way people communicate, participate and give has changed dramatically. And while years ago, passing around the tithe plate during services was perhaps the ideal way to collect donations for your church, many religious organizations around the world have realized the need for change. Just as technology has transformed so many aspects of our lives, it has impacted the way you can fundraise, tithe and communicate with your congregation. Here’s a guide on how you can implement technology into your efforts:
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Create excitement for fundraising events

Even those with zero technological know-how can use memberplanet to create customized, interactive events sites. Your church can have its own event page, complete with your logo and branding, and all the information your members need to know. And because it’s interactive, they can log on from anywhere (their cellphone, laptop, tablet, etc.) and RSVP, volunteer, ask questions, buy tickets and get updates.
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​Let them give from the heart (and home)

Tithing and fundraising become effortless when you set up online donations and tithing using memberplanet ​. Your members can log on and make a one-time donation or set up recurring tithes in minutes. You can even set up a “donate now” button on your church website that members simply click on to give. And they’ll be able to view fundraiser progress, see photos and videos from events and much more. 
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Get mobile

Connect with your members wherever they are with your church’s own custom mobile app. With it, your congregation can see what’s happening wherever they are and whenever they want. All your events, communication and even the ability to make a donation or payments is accessible via the app. 
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Sign up for a free memberplanet ​account today and discover just how easy it can be to communicate, tithe and fundraise with you congregation.