Successful fundraising programs have one thing in common: diverse funding sources. One of the newer terms in today’s lingo is “micro” and now it applies to fundraising. Microfundraising is attracting small gifts from a large numbers of people using both low-tech and high-tech approaches.

The power of microfundraising is easily seen in the American Red Cross’s use of new technologies following the massive earthquake in Haiti in January 2010. The Red Cross asked people to text a simple message from their cell phone authorizing a $10 deduction from their bank accounts. Within three days, total raised: $10 million, $10 at a time. Social media now makes it possible to reach millions of potential donors with the click of a button. But the power of microgiving, or microphilanthopy, as it is also known, can be seen in smaller-scale projects, like the Burmese photographer who surpassed his $3,000 goal to present a photo exhibition documenting a local uprising, or the theater group that raised $65,000 to present a play in support of lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered youth. And it’s also seen in grass-roots engagements such as “Denim Days” in the workplace.
 

Research indicates that the message “any amount helps,” brings legitimacy to even the smallest gift, and actively encourages more money to be given. While one wouldn’t design an expensive direct mail campaign specifically to attract only small gifts, the microfundraising concept can have great potential for reaching large online audiences using the free resources of the Internet.
 

This three-hour class will introduce you to the concept of microfundraising and explore if this is a viable option for your organization at this time. And if so, you can help your organization put the ability to support a cause into the hands of virtually anyone, encourage people to connect with your organization, and inspire others to do the same. The result can be funds raised quickly and effectively with minimal expense – macro-funding through microfundraising.