I prepared this 10 minute presentation as part of the "Feminist Cyborgs: Actvism, Online Fundraising, and Security" hosted by African Feminist Forum and Association for Progressive Communications. It includes a brief overview of crowdfunding, and 5 quick tips to remember when running a fundraising campaign.

1. Feminist Cyborgs:
Online Fundraising
© Spectra Speaks

2. Brief Outline
• Introduction
• Overview of Online Fundraising
• Popular Crowdfunding Tools
• Africans for Africa Campaign Case Study
• Online Fundraising Tips
• Contact

3. About Me
• Writer, Activist, New Media Consultant
• Communication, Culture, and
Technology
• Focus on Philanthropy: donor
engagement, awareness-building,
writing for thought leadership, online
fundraising
• 5+ yrs in software industry
implementing tech solutions before
non-profit startups
• Follow @spectraspeaks,
#crowdfunding101

4. Overview of Crowdfunding
• Sometimes referred to as Crowdfunding
• “Funding via a networked group”
• Using social media networks to raise money for projects
• Collective effort of individuals who network and pool their
resources
• Connects people who have needs to the people who can meet
those needs
Source: crowdfundingbank.com

5. Popular Crowdfunding Tools

6. Introduction to Online Fundraising
“Using social media networks to raise money for projects”
Source: crowdfundingplanning.com

7. Things to Remember
• Social media = media that is social, period.
• Don’t confuse the tools with the task.
• Having a Facebook Page doesn’t guarantee you money.
• You (a person) must raise funds from your network (multiple people)
• The quality of your network = The quality of your relationships with
individuals in that network
• Typical fundraising principles apply online.

8. Africans for Africa Project
• Independent project training African-
women led NGOs to use new media
• Raised ~$15,000 in 30 days via online
fundraising campaign
• Focus on Women, Youth, Gender &
Sexuality Issues
• South Africa, Namibia, Botswana
• One-on-One Consulting and Team
Sessions for Organizations
• Online Fundraising Workshops (Open
to the Public)
• Over 400 workshop participants, 60
organizations

9. Tip 1: Learn to “Ask”
The most important element of
any campaign is the “ask.”
You must ask before you can
receive. (Most popular reason
cited by people as to why they
didn’t give is “No one asked me.”)
Africans for Africa: In addition to
bulk emails, I sent personal emails,
FB messages, text messages, and
phone calls to individuals.
Tip: Practice and test your with
different (trusted) audiences;
don’t play with live money.

10. Tip 2: Know Your Audience
You wouldn’t ask your best
friend for money in the same
way you would ask a
professional colleague, would
you?
Different audiences require
different messages.
Africans for Africa: “MIT
Classmates” received different
messaging from “Activists”
Tip: Segment your list, create
messages and themes for each
before you begin sending
communications.

11. Tip 3: Inner Circle Power
People ultimately give money
because they trust you.
Study shows that number one
factor influencing trust is
recommendation from friends and
family.
Africans for Africa: Bulk of my
donations came from close friends,
who encouraged others to
contribute as well.
Tip: Don’t ignore your family and
friends. They’re you’re biggest
advocates and can help you raise
even more money (if you “ask”
them to).

12. Tip 4: Set (Realistic) Goals
Fundraising isn’t about luck. You
must set goals to meet.
People (yourself included) are
more driven to give by public
benchmarks.
Africans for Africa: I asked 15
people to contribute, every
day, to increase chance of
meeting goal of 10 donors per
day.
Tip: Set daily, weekly, and
monthly goals. Make them
public. People want to help. And
if they see mini-goals as
possible, they’re more likely to
give.

13. Tip 5: Recognition
There’s a reason you always see
“Thank You” on a sales receipt.
People need to feel appreciated
in order to stay engaged.
Africans for Africa: Different
perqs came with cool titles such
as “Ally”, “Champion” etc.
Immediate Thank You and social
media shout-out.
Tip: Come up with creative ways
to recognition, before and after
the “ask” in order to nurture
repeat-givers and advocates.

14. Most Important: Be Human
Connect with people’s hearts.
Facebook doesn’t make
campaigns successful; people
do.
“People connect with people, not
campaigns.” - ZerobyZawadi
Africans for Africa: My campaign
story was about “me”, why “I”
wanted this project to
succeed, its personal impact.
Tip: Reflect on why this project
really matters, to you, and to the
people you care about.

15. Contact Info: New Media Consulting
Website:
www.spectraspeaks.com
Twitter:
@spectraspeaks
Facebook:
/spectraspeaksalot
LinkedIn:
/user/spectraspeaks