How to Raise Money for a Personal Cause

Raising money for a personal cause can feel a bit intimidating, especially if you’re not familiar with the process or tools and platforms available. But there are times when a little extra financial support is seriously needed. Whether it be for covering medical bills to funding a creative project, people turn to Personal cause fundraising when life throws a curveball. At its core, this type of fundraising is about communities of individuals coming together to help someone in need, even when the cause isn’t directly tied to a traditional charity.

The reasons behind personal fundraising are as diverse as the people who have a need for them. Sometimes it's to pay for an unexpected medical expense for them or a loved one, to help rebuild after a disaster whether natural or man-made, or cover the costs of some sort of other life-changing event. But sometimes it’s from a positive perspective as well. Someone may be looking to raise capital to start a new business venture, or backing to travel abroad in order to to volunteer. In any case, personal cause fundraising gives people a way to ask for help without relying on formal or traditional ways of getting cash like taking a loan or borrowing from friends and family.

And with the rise of crowdfunding platforms and apps, raising funds for practically any reason has become easier than ever before. These platforms were created to simplify the process of reaching out to people and getting their story out, collect donations with ease, and keep track of their progress in real-time. As the saying goes, “It takes a village”—and with personal cause fundraising, that village is only a click away.

Understanding Your Cause

Understanding your cause may seem pretty obvious to you, a hurricane decimated your house and you need some emergency funds to rebuild as quickly as possible. But the severity of your situation may not be all that clear to other people. This is why you need to be super clear on why you need the funds and where those funds are going specifically. People need to understand why they should care about your plight. So, before you even think about starting that GoFundMe or posting on social media, take the time to define your cause. What exactly are you raising money for? Why does this matter to you? Most importantly, why should others get involved?

When you sit down and start defining your cause, you’re going to need to get comfortable with being a bit vulnerable. That means publicly sharing personal stories, those raw, emotional moments that got you to this point. Perhaps it’s watching your children sleep in a tent because their bedrooms are now unlivable. Or cooking meals on a camp stove because all of your appliences were ruined during the hurricane. People respond to authenticity, so don’t shy away from explaining how the situation affects your life (or the life of the person you’re raising funds for). Whatever your situation, a clear, mission driven narrative reels people in and helps them feel personally invested in getting your life back in order.

Just like a normal charity, you should start with a mission statement. You can think of this as your elevator pitch, a succinct, compelling description of your cause that you could tell someone in an elevator before the doors open. Your pitch should answer the big questions like who benefits, what you’re raising the money for, and how people’s donations will make a real difference. This statement or pitch isn’t necessarily for you, although it will help make things crystal clear so you’ll be more able to move forward more easily, it’s mainly for your supporters, the ones who’ll share your cause on social media platforms and advocate for your success. For example, if you're raising money to fund a life-saving surgery, your mission statement might sound something like: "Help Sarah regain her independence by funding her much-needed spinal surgery."

Here’s a serious tip, never underestimate the power of storytelling! A well-told story can move mountains (and wallets). People why yo know why they should help. Why they should help you specifically. A true gut wrenching story that brings tears to someone’s eyes is worth its weight in gold compared to something like, I need funds because my home was leveled in a storm. There’s no connection at all in the last example, and no understanding of what you’re going through or why they should help. It’s a crowded space and dozens of causes flood our feeds daily, clarity cuts through the noise!

Planning Your Fundraising Strategy

We’ve seen many people over the years just throw up a fundraiser and hope for the best. We can say with certainty that this never works. And if it does somehow work, it never works to its full potential. That’s why having a clear and well thought out plan is really essential to getting your fundraiser fully funded. Strategic planning makes sure you’re using the right fundraising methods and maximizing your chances of success. Whether you’re relying on crowdfunding platforms, throwing events, or reaching out to local businesses, the key lies in knowing what works best for your cause.

Your first plan of attack is deciding what fundraising strategy you want to use for maximum results. Most often for personal fundraising people choose to use crowdfunding. Platforms like GoFundMe and Kickstarter have revolutionized how people raise money for personal causes, making it easier than ever to share your story and collect donations from friends, family, and even strangers all from one user dashboard. And with their built in traffic, meaning people already go onto platforms like these to see where they can help, it’s possible you may get a donation or two from people simply browsing if your mission statement is strong enough. Plus you can reach a global audience with just a few clicks. But remember, successful crowdfunding campaigns don’t just happen, they require a solid game plan, regular updates, and genuine engagement with your supporters.

Events are another powerful way to raise funds, although they can take a bit more time and effort. Your event could be practically anything from a simple bake sale, a bowl-a-thon, charity hunt or even a full blown auction event. These events are great because people get to actually see you, personally interact with you, and get a tangible sense of where there donation is going and how it’ll positively impact your life. They often create much stronger connections between you and your supporters. Plus, events give people a reason to talk about your cause in real life, not just online. And don’t be afraid to get creative here, one person’s “fundraising event” is another person’s chance to throw a karaoke night that’s impossible to forget.

One thing to think about is what your budget is like. Fundraising isn’t free, and many fail due to a lack of foresight and sound financial planning. So you need to begin with the number you’re planning to raise with your campaign, and the cost associated with bringing that amount to a reality. Break it down. Consider things like platform fees, event costs, and any potential marketing expenses (even Facebook ads can cost more than you think). If you’re planning an event, factor in everything from venue rentals to refreshments. The goal? Raise enough to cover the expenses, but also make a meaningful dent in the amount you actually need.

Doing this in a clear and logical way also help with financial transparency. People like to know where their money is going and it builds trust, and trust leads to more donations. Plus if your supporters see that you’re close to reaching your target, they’re often more willing to pitch in that final push.

Speaking of trust, partnering with local businesses can also be extremely beneficial. Many small businesses are looking for ways to give back to their communities and connect with their actual local clientele. Your cause might just be the perfect opportunity they’ve been waiting for. Whether they sponsor your event, donate items for an auction, or help spread the word, local businesses can greatly enhance your reach and perhaps even add credibility to your fundraiser. Just try to create synergies that benefit both your cause and the businesses you want involved. If you can come up with some creative ways for everyone to benefit, the more likely they’ll support your cause.

In the end, planning your fundraising ideas in a way that you can bring in enough donations to make it worthwhile depends a lot on planning as much of your idea as possible. You might combine crowdfunding with an event, or set up an online fundraiser while approaching local businesses for support. No matter what, your strategy needs to be appropriate for the size of your needs, while also taking into account the amount of resources you have to pull it all off.

Utilizing a Fundraising Platform

Sticking to the old ways of doing things and not taking advantage of all the technology that’s available to anyone looking to raise funds for personal reasons is a quick fire way of failing miserably. Gone are the days of just knocking on neighbors' doors or holding bake sales (although, let’s face it, people still love brownies). Now, with online fundraising platforms like PayBee, GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and Givebutter, the world is your donor base.

Selecting the Right Platform for your Fundraisers 

There are quite a few different platforms to choose from today and it seems the list keeps growing everyday. In fact, even social media platforms like Facebook have jumped in on the whole donation trend. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are ideal for peer-to-peer fundraising. And although for a long time asking for donations on Facebook involved needing to be a bonafide 501(c) legal charity, times have changed and you’re now able to start a fundraiser right on Facebook for a whole variety of reasons.

And it really is as easy as one, two, three! Just add a donation button on Facebook yourself, share your fundraier with friends and family and Facebook even collects all your funds and sends them straight to your bank account. Of course there are some fees involved. But with the size of this platform and ease of which you can start asking for donations right on Facebook makes it probably the best option for many people looking to gather some quick financial aid.

We strongly encourage you to use Facebook’s platform to drive people to other platforms that also offer personal fundraising capabilities. Each of the other crowdfunding websites have their own personality, strengths, and even fees. GoFundMe, for example, is straightforward and trusted for personal causes, but if your project has a creative twist, you might consider Kickstarter. Again, each of these has it own rules as far as fees and how they conduct business, so you will need to look into each one to see which one fits your specific needs the best.

Building an Online Presence to Fundraise 

Now, you can’t just slap up a campaign and expect the donations to roll in, although that’s exactly what most people do and they most often fail. It’s all about building an online presence that resonates directly with people and pushes them to feel something strong enough to open their purse strings.

This all starts with crafting a heart felt story. Something people can personally connect to and feel they need to help. People also want to know why they’re donating, and, honestly, they’re more likely to give when they feel a personal connection to your cause. This means you’ll need to start giving regular updates, add photos, share heartfelt videos - even the shaky, unpolished kind. You’re not running a corporation, you’re a human being asking for help during a tough time and that kind of authenticity is what draws people in and causes them to give.

You can think of your online presence regardless of which platform you decide on as your cause’s digital storefront. How does it look? Does it invite people to step in and donate? Does it look like you’re truly in need? One tip here is consistency is key when maximizing online donations. Share milestones, whether you've just hit 10% of your goal or your campaign just went viral, people want to celebrate with you.

Post regularly, engage with your audience, and always, always, show gratitude. A simple "thank you" can go a long way in turning one-time donors into repeat supporters. And don’t be afraid to inject a little humor here and there. People like to smile while they give. And the more they get behind you, the quicker you’ll get the assistance you so desperately need. Just remember that while technology is great, it’s the human connection that makes all the difference!

Final Thoughts

Raising money for a personal cause is much easier than it has even been thanks to social media and crowdfunding platforms. And while you should still include some time tested opportunities like bake sales and so on to maximize the amount you can raise, most of your donors will most likely come from some sort of digital platform. Luckily these platforms are simple to use and seriously effective if you follow our advice on communicating with your supporters and donors.

It just takes a bit of planning to make sure you’ve locked down all the important details and you’re ready to launch your fundraisers. Just be sure your goals are realistic and you have the ability to reach them and you should get funded quickly enough to fix whatever problems you’re having difficulties with right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective fundraising methods for personal causes?

Reaching out to friends and family first, organizing community events like bake sales, using online crowdfunding platforms and leveraging social media for peer-to-peer fundraising are a few of the most effective ways to raise capital for a personal cause.

How do I choose the right online platform to fundraise?

Consider the platform's ease of use, fees, audience reach, and features like sharing tools or direct donations. It’s also helpful if you can track your campaign and see where your donors are coming from. GoFundMe is a great platform for personal causes, while Kickstarter suits more creative projects.

What should I include in my personal story to make it compelling?

Share the reason for your cause and the negative impact it has had on you or your family and how donations will help. Use emotions and honesty to connect with people. Don’t be afraid of being too personal!

What are common mistakes to avoid when fundraising for personal causes?

No planning and not setting out clear and obtainable goals are usually the culprits. A few others are inconsistent updates, lack of transparency, and neglecting to thank donors for their generosity afterwards.

How can I track the progress of my individual fundraising campaign?

Most platforms offer built-in tracking tools to monitor your donations. It’s best to check your metrics daily like the number of donations, shares, and engagement to better understand how well you’re doing and what is working best with your supporters.

How do I thank my supporters after reaching my fundraising goal?

Send personalized thank-you notes or messages that express you really care. You can also give supporters a shout out publicly on social media and provide everyone with updates on how their donations have made a positive impact on your situation.

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