Raising Change 0
Raising Change
Did it feel like Change or charity?
Doing a workshop at the “Raising Change” conference (San Francisco) had me reflecting a whole lot on fundraising strategies for the movement. A lot of those wonderings revolved around “social networking sites and fundraising” - the topic I presented. Is it a viable new way? Is it worth trying out? What can you expect to gain or lose in the short and long run? What does it mean to your offline fundraising? Really meaty questions I would say. Fortunately I had a large energetic group in the workshop which enhanced the usefulness of the session: there was a lot of wisdom passed around from our collective experience.
It was an impressive turnout by the way: the total number of people at the conference hovered around 600. As a young fundraiser, its invigorating being around peers in this sort of setting: “a social justice fundraising conference” (as described by the organizers). Albeit the fact that I’m reminded that we have a long road to travel. The gospel according to my workshop was simple: Social Networking sites are yet another possibility to raise change but are anything but a magic formula for fundraising. Read that as: Good fundraising communications and strategies used offline are relevant to online fundraising.
One of the more important lesson’s I’ve picked up from our Power of Change campaign is to remember we’re raising support for Change not begging for charity! The basic ingredient of a movement is a committed people. People, who commit time, People who commit to hard work, people who commit their resources, etc. Raising change is establishing a partnership with folks that support the movement and making sure we have the resources we need to further small “d” democracy.
If you’re interested in using social networking sites to fundraise and wonder how to do it effectively, this little exercise below could be a start in thinking about it.
- Reflect on experiences you have had with folks sending you online appeals – through, email, e-newsletters, face book applications, etc.
- Was the design attractive?
- Was the content well catered to you?
- Did it reach you at a good time?
- Did the problem and the action have some logical consistency?
- Was the action easy enough to follow?
- Did it feel like change or charity?
Peace
Kwame