Using social media as a fundraising tool

[mr krinkle]

Has anyone done this? I'm part of a group who will be taking part in a regeneration project in Nepal, and we need to raise a significant amount to cover flights, equipment and accommodation.

I'm in the process of setting up a blog to provide information on the project, track our fundraising progress and host pics & vids of various sponsored events, but have also been looking at the possibility of using social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to compliment this.

Is there much value in using these channels, since the people who are most likely to contribute will be family, friends and colleagues who most likely would open their wallets anyway? Anyone who has done somethign similar on ehere who would care to share tips?

Thanks. :D

[DanMartin]

Social media and Twitter in particular is starting to become a must-use tool for good causes to raise money.

In February, I was involved with the Twestival (http://twestival.com), a global charity initiative driven almost entirely by Twitter. Cities in 185 countries including Bristol (http://bristol.twestival.com) where I'm based took just four weeks to organise a party using the power of Twitter. In total $250,000 was raised.

Twitter allows your message to spread very quickly to a big group of people and, crucially for charities, costs nothing. I recently blogged about Twitter and charity on my social enterprise blog. Check it out here (http://socialenterprisefocus.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-twitter-is-changing-way-we.html).

One example of a charity exploiting social media very well which I recently came across is Child's i Foundation (http://childsifoundation.wordpress.com/).

[mr krinkle]

I was worried that using things like Twitter would be time-consuming, with little return, but those articles highlighted the obvious really.

Very useful, thanks Dan.

[polarAJ]

I have used Facebook as a means of helping generate hits on my website. I created a group called antonyjinman.com where I asked my friends to invite their friends and so on. We have about 700 + members of which a vast majority are "non friends". Ok not massive but it has helped spread awarness of my expeditions and projects. I do think social media is a must.

Twitter I have not used, but I will have to have a look after reading Dans message.

[mr krinkle]

Well, I've taken Dan's advice a embraced Twitter with both arms wide open.

Have also set up a blog to track fundraising progress and the usual Facebook groups etc. Still getting the numbers on board in terms of group members and Twitter followers etc, but the response has been really positive so far!

[polarAJ]

My Twitter name is polarAJ and facebook group is the same as my website
antonyjinman.com.

Be great to have to gain extra support :0)

[mr krinkle]

My Twitter name is polarAJ and facebook group is the same as my website
antonyjinman.com.

Be great to have to gain extra support :0)

Likewise!

Have joined both. :D

[Adam Moore]

Has anyone done this? I'm part of a group who will be taking part in a regeneration project in Nepal, and we need to raise a significant amount to cover flights, equipment and accommodation.

I'm in the process of setting up a blog to provide information on the project, track our fundraising progress and host pics & vids of various sponsored events, but have also been looking at the possibility of using social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to compliment this.

Is there much value in using these channels, since the people who are most likely to contribute will be family, friends and colleagues who most likely would open their wallets anyway? Anyone who has done somethign similar on ehere who would care to share tips?

Thanks. :D

Twitter is your man. So to speak. It's fast viral and friendly. Check out twitchiker / nationaltrust (my day job) etc. Just go to twitter.com and do a search.

If you employ a little strategy it can work for you very easily and there is very definitely value in it for you. I'm more than happy to help so PM me.

[Claire80]

an interesting concept!!!!

[ACYE]

Mr Krinkle,

Following Dan's advice there are many webinars, online to learn to harness the power of social networking. There are also various linkedin groups dedicated to the cause.

Rgs