Fundraising Experiment Now in Progress: Return on Influence

I’ve added a widget to the sidebar of this blog as sort of an experiment.  Some of my friends at nonprofit organizations believe that it’s just too darned hard, too complicated and not worth the effort to ask current supporters to fundraise on their behalf via the online medium.  That is, the technology just isn’t quite “there” yet; that it’s not a priority given all of the other opportunities on the plate; that, although it’s a good idea, it’s not a GREAT idea.  There’s just bigger fish to fry.

I totally understand.  And yet, I have a few minutes of spare time on my hands (yeah, right) and with some help from friends, ah heck, why not just try.  I figure there is so much great, valuable information out there.  For example, Beth’s Blog has been educating us on widgets all this month.  Her post, “Let’s Go Widget Shopping!” along with her interview with Michael Stein (An Interview with Michael Stein) are must-reads on the subjet of giving this business of fundraising into the hands of donors passionate about their causes.  I have always believed that donors are more generous and more passionate than we know. 

And then, just when I thought I could hide, doesn’t Mr. Don’t Tell the Donor himself publish a post asking for donations so that he could have the funds to add more value to this world of ours.   I love it.

Both great bloggers mentioned (and are using) ChipIn. From the website: “ChipIn is a Web-based service that simplifies the process of collecting money from groups of people. We make this process quick, easy, and secure, and we provide organizers with numerous ways to get the word out about their ChipIn event.”  Is it quick?  Is it easy? Is it secure?  I thought I’d give it a try.

Literally, within a few minutes my “ChipIn Event” was up and running.  I decided I would try to raise $400 so that I could purchase 10 pigs for 10 African children.  And I’d try to to it by Christmas Day.  Creating the ChipIn widget was fairly easy and it certainly was quick. 

Of course, I have a plan to use my sphere of influence to help. As part of that plan, I’m asking you.  I realize you may not know me but you do know about children in need and you do know World Vision. Please give to my “10 Pigs For 10 Kids” Christmas Campaign for World Vision.  Not only do I want to help children, I also want to prove to my friends that maybe, just maybe this idea of the Participant Fundraising is something to seriously consider. 

I know a story of a woman in Calgary, Alberta Canada.  Her two sons were killed in a car accident a number of years ago. One of those events in life in which there are no answers, no reason, nor rhyme.   The death of her sons left with a gaping hole in her heart as large and lonely as a vacant lot.  So she picked herself up from the ruins and did something about it.  She set up a memorial fund and started cooking Christmas dinner for friends and family.  When dinner was over, she asked them to donate to the fund.  That was 22 years ago. Well, this past year, she served 1,500 turkey dinners under a big-top tent and raised thousands of dollars for the local homeless shelter.  She covered that ugly vacant lot with a huge beautiful tent. 

I think that’s what ROI really means, Return on Influence.

Tags: Direct Response, General Fundraising, Nonprofit, Web, World Vision