Youth fundraising can be a challenge. For many young people, it’s an intimidating and unfamiliar experience. Often, youth programs have to rely on parental money or gifts from friends. Youth-specific nonprofits may struggle to raise enough money to continue their operations year after year. However, with the right strategies and tactics, youth-specific organizations can be more successful than they ever thought possible.
Youth-specific organizations are organizations that primarily serve people under the age of 25, according to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. This is a common reason why youth-specific nonprofits face challenges raising funds—most donors prefer giving money directly to a cause they support rather than donating to an organization whose beneficiaries they don’t personally know or care about. However, this doesn’t mean you should give up on your youth fundraising efforts just yet! The key is to find ways around this so that your program can thrive regardless of how much money comes in through other channels as well as ways to get more donors involved in supporting your organization financially.
What makes youth fundraising so challenging?
One of the challenges youth-specific organizations face is that the people who are most likely to donate are those who are already familiar with the organization. To overcome this challenge, you can use a fundraising campaign on social media. You can also partner up with local businesses or events to raise money for your program.
Another problem that many youth-specific nonprofits face is that they won’t have much funding to work with. This is especially true in the early stages of your nonprofit’s development when you don’t have a steady stream of donors. To overcome this, you should find ways to supplement your program’s funding with grants, donations from other sources, or even crowdfunding initiatives.
Another challenge youth-specific organizations often face is being underfunded overall. One way to tackle this problem is by raising funds through events in which attendees pay to attend and/or donate items at an event (e.g., raffles, bake sales). Additionally, you could partner up with local businesses so they provide your program with necessary supplies in exchange for advertising opportunities like banners at an event or signage on a company website.
Research shows young people care about causes they’re familiar with
Young people care deeply about causes they are familiar with. For example, a recent study among youth in the U.K. found that individuals were more likely to donate to campaigns regarding causes they’re already passionate about, rather than those that aren’t as well-known—even if the cause was one they cared about. This is an important finding for nonprofits looking for ways to get young donors involved and for fundraisers who want to collect more money from young people in particular.
Why is familiarity with the cause important for fundraising success?
It’s important to be familiar with the cause you’re raising money for, because donors are more likely to give money to causes they know and support. For example, if your organization serves children in need of a safe space, it would be wise to have a solid understanding of who these children are and an awareness of their needs. This will help ensure that your fundraising efforts are successful.
Another way that familiarity can help your fundraising is through community outreach. If you work on an issue your community cares about, like homelessness or minority rights, familiarize yourself with what the people around you want to see happen in regards to this topic. Even better? Get people involved by hosting events related to this issue which will further your chances of success in terms of fundraising and also allow you to recruit new members for your team.
Create a youth-specific fundraiser — and use it over and over again
One of the most important pieces of advice we can give is to create a youth-specific fundraiser. This is an excellent way to ensure that you’re reaching out to people who are most likely to give money to your program. With a youth-specific fundraiser, you will be able to reach people who have been personally impacted by your organization and know your cause first-hand. YSFY also offers a great list of fundraising ideas for young people with suggestions on how they can raise money.
Another important piece of advice is to use your fundraising efforts over and over again. Generally, organizations don’t raise enough funds the first time they try, so the best way to get more donors involved in supporting your youth fundraising campaign is through continual promotion and education. The goal should be for every person who hears about your cause to walk away from it knowing what you do and how they can help support it financially or otherwise, not just one time event.
Reach out to your donor base through email, social media, and in person
The first step in raising money is to make sure your base of donors knows you exist. If you’re having trouble getting the word out about your organization, one of the best ways to connect with potential donors is through email outreach. Include a call-to-action that includes a specific ask, such as “Donate $500 and get a free ticket to our upcoming benefit” or “Donate $25 and help us reach our goal of making 100 phone calls today.” In addition, use social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter to share updates about your fundraising efforts and event dates. Promote these posts on Facebook with paid ads or by sharing them on your personal page.
Founding memberships can also be an effective way to raise funds for youth organizations. This tactic involves signing up volunteers who commit to donating at least once per month, often for several months at a time. You will have more people donating because they are committed to their role as club member rather than just giving money once during the fundraiser without staying involved in the future. Donors will also be able to see that their contributions are going toward something meaningful and important; this gives them more motivation to give again next time! Finally, it’s important for all young nonprofit leaders to get involved in networking events such as conferences and local meetups so you can build your network of potential supporters and donors from within your community.
Conclusion
Youth fundraising is challenging in part because young people are less likely to donate to causes they don’t know. But research shows that familiarity with the cause is critical for fundraising success. And by creating a youth-specific fundraiser and using it over and over again, you can reach out to your donor base in new ways.
FAQ’s
What are the benefits of youth fundraising?
There are many benefits to youth fundraising. For one thing, it can provide a great way to connect with other young people interested in a similar cause. It can also help young people develop important skills like patience and persistence. Finally, fundraising can give young people a sense of accomplishment and contribution to their community.
Youth fundraising can also be extremely rewarding. After all, it’s incredible to be able to help those who need it most. By giving them the resources they need, you can change their lives for the better.
A major benefit of youth fundraising is that it can open up countless doors for young people. It can connect them with other like-minded individuals and provide them with valuable experience. There are also plenty of opportunities for young people to meet influential people who can help them pursue their goals later on in life.
What are the best strategies for youth fundraising?
Fundraising for youth-specific organizations can be a challenge, but there are many ways that you can be more successful.
Many youth-specific organizations rely on parental money or gifts from friends and family. There are many ways to increase your organization’s fundraising success though, such as having a more engaging website or increasing the visibility of your fundraising efforts.
There are also many different types of fundraisers to choose from, each with their own unique benefits. A Biggest Bang fundraiser, for example, is highly desirable because it offers the highest amount of money raised in the shortest amount of time. A raffle fundraiser is another great option, as it allows you to raise money while giving people the chance to buy a prize.
There are many ways to increase your organization’s fundraising success though, such as having a more engaging website or increasing the visibility of your fundraising efforts.
Whatever type of fundraiser you choose, it is important to follow all the rules and regulations for that type of event. For example, if you are holding a draw for a prize, you must follow all federal and state laws regarding gambling including not only the proper age requirements but also all tax requirements and reporting requirements.
Fundraising for youth-specific organizations can be challenging but with the right strategies and tactics it is possible to be more successful than ever before.
What are some common obstacles to youth fundraising?
There are a number of challenges that come with fundraising for a youth-specific organization. The first is finding the money to fund your organization’s efforts. This can be difficult, as many young people don’t have much money to give or don’t know where to start.
The second challenge is getting young donors to give. Many people are reluctant to give to organizations that serve young people. Programs have to do a lot of work to change this mentality and build trust with donors.
Creating awareness about your organization is also very important for fundraising success. The more people know about your cause, the easier it will be for them to give money. Finally, programmatic fundraising campaigns are key for raising the most money possible. They require planning and follow-up on the part of both donors and program staff.
