Coach your fundraisers to continued growth

Only about half of all fundraisers hit their fundraising goal. Crazy huh? But by using your email sending tool (think MailChimp, eTapestry, etc) and targeting your fundraisers with simple messages that encourage participation, you can really move the needle! We rounded up a few sample communications you can use below. You can (and should) personalize at the beginning and end of the sample text, as well as add your branding.

I recommend building an email series comprised of the following parts:

1. Get Started (links and resources to personalize a fundraising page)
2. Thank You (share appreciation throughout the campaign)
3. Last Chance (send 24 hours before end of campaign)

First things first, identify your fundraisers by logging into Blackbaud Peer-to-Peer Fundraising, powered by JustGiving and navigating to Reports>Fundraising Report. Run the report and export it. 

Email 1: Getting Started
Hooray! Your personal fundraising page for  [insert name of organization, campaign or event] is LIVE! Make sure you take a minute and personalize your page. It's not just about appearance, personalized pages raise more. 
 

1. Set a target. A little friendly competition is what really drives that progress tracker up!
2. Write a summary. Your Page can raise 36% more when you add a short intro.      
3. Add a profile picture. Get 23% more by adding an eye-catching image.
4. Tell your story. Give people a reason to care
5. Share on social media! Ask your close friends and family for donations first, they are more likely to give to you and it looks great to have some donations on your page already when you share it to the world. Use the Facebook, email or other share options available to spread the word!

PRO TIP: If you want to do an email series, check out the "Page Create Date" and send to everyone based on that field value. For example, 1 day after the date, fundraiser receives email 1. 

Email 2: Thank you

Thank YOU for being a fundraising hero on behalf of [Charity Name] in the [Campaign Name] this year. Your hard work has helped [Charity Name] raise $[Total Raised] so far. The money you continue to raise will allow our organization to [Details on how funds will be used].

HOW YOU ARE HELPING
By supporting [Charity Name] you’re helping [Your charity’s Mission]. [Include a short personal story and photo about someone/something that has been helped by the money raised]

YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Every single dollar you raise makes a difference! Keep emailing the link to your fundraising page to your family, friends, and colleagues. Share your passion for [Your charity’s mission] on social media and ask others to support your efforts in the [Campaign Name].

PRO TIP: Suppress anyone on your list that has not raised any money from email 2.

Email 3: Last Chance

Only 24 hours left to reach your fundraising goal! Go ahead and share your page through social media, spin off an email with a call to action to donate and call all your family and friends who you notice have not given yet. Heck, you can even make a tax-deductible gift to yourself to make up the difference! [Provide update on either personal fundraising goal or overall goal]

Thank you for giving your time to support [Organization's name] and sharing our message with your loved one. Good luck in these final hours!

PRO TIP: Send this one early in the morning and a version of it in the evening.