Internet-Based Fundraising
The following are a few examples of internet platforms which are being used by NFPs to drive donations to their organizations.
PayPal
PayPal (www.paypal.com) is the well-known payment service used by thousands of online merchants and businesses throughout the world. One of their services is geared towards NFP organizations trying to raise funds via the NFP organization’s website. The NFP can easily set up a PayPal account which can link directly with existing bank accounts. The NFP can then simply insert a PayPal donation link on their existing website for any fundraising campaign or just for general donations to the NFP organization. The ease-of-use, security, and brand recognition of PayPal makes this internet based fundraising option very popular.
Qgiv Online
Qgiv Online (www.qgiv.com/qgiv-online) is an online giving platform which integrates directly into an NFPs existing website. Qgiv engineers customize user-friendly donation forms on the organization’s donation page. Qgiv donation pages are also mobile device friendly; and they can also set up a text message giving platform. Lastly, Qgiv’s Virtual Terminal allows donations to be processed at an event site or anywhere away from a computer via use of their mobile phone application and a portable card reader.
First Giving
First Giving (www.firstgiving.com) is a peer-to-peer fundraising website which NFPs use in various fundraising endeavors. A typical use for this platform is for events such as a 5k run or a polar plunge. The NFP organization creates the event page, and then participants in the event can register on the website and also create their own donation page for the event. Participants share their fundraising page via e-mail, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to drive donations to the event. First Giving helps the NFP organization by providing one platform which handles event registration and donations. It also has a donation option for the donor to cover the transaction fees, which can help to lower the costs to the NFP organization.
Razoo
Razoo (www.razoo.com) is also a peer-to-peer fundraising website operating in a similar fashion to First Giving. Razoo has set up a donor advised fund called the Razoo Foundation which is used as a vehicle to re-grant contributions directed to the public charity for which the donor has directed their contribution to via the Razoo website. A NFP organization can “activate” their organization on the Razoo website as long as it is listed on the IRS Master File of registered 501(c)(3) charities. The IRS Master File is used by the Razoo Foundation as their database of eligible charities. Once the NFP organization is “activated,” a fundraising webpage can be set up. Razoo also offers a donation widget tool which can be embedded into the NFP organization’s existing website, along with a Facebook widget tool which can be embedded into the NFP organization’s existing Facebook page.
With the incomes of the Millennial generation growing as they reach their peak earning years of their careers, NFP organizations need to make sure they are on the cutting edge of technology in order to reach this generation of donors. NFP organizations need to have a significant presence on the internet and on social media platforms. Online giving websites and other social fundraising platforms will continue to grow in the future. If not already using one of these platforms, NFP organizations should consider how they can integrate these internet-based fundraising tools into their fund development department plans.
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