Effectiveness of online fundraising campaigns

A fundraising campaign is an initiative taken by a campaigner to raise funds in support of a charity. It is a way to create awareness and garner support from our immediate community. These campaigns can be conducted in both conventional and digital way. Conventionally, campaigners organise a get-together, a meeting or fundraising ball to raise funds from family, friends, and associates. Digitally, campaigners create online campaigns and spread the word through various social media platforms. Though both the forms of campaigning bring in financial aid, here we will focus on online fundraising campaigns.

Online fundraising for NGOs

Tapping the potential of the internet, NGOs across the globe are welcoming and encouraging online fundraising for their respective causes. The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an Indian child NGO implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme has provided a broad platform for their supporters to get involved with the cause; fundraising campaigns, being one of them. The Foundation provides nutritious meals to more than 1.7 million school children across 12 states of India, on each school day. And, it has set a goal to feed 5 million children by 2020. Needless to say, aside from goodwill of supporters, the NGO also requires monetary backing to sustainably feed the existing beneficiaries while expanding operations to feed more children.

Having witnessed the success of past online fundraising campaigns, Akshaya Patra encourages volunteers and supporters to spread awareness and raise funds by using social media platforms.

Effectiveness of online campaigns

Undoubtedly, the current era is ruled by the internet. The speed at which information can be shared with a vast audience is remarkable. And, as a campaigner, one can tap this power of the internet by adding little creativity. Aside from monetary aid, a thought through and well-executed online fundraising campaign can benefit a charity in multiple ways such as:

• Increased visibility for the NGO
• Increased awareness of their particular cause
• Increased number of supporters
• Cross-border outreach

Well, in achieving this, creativity plays an important role too. Here are some of the creative online fundraising campaigns created by supporters for Akshaya Patra’s cause. Not only did they receive overwhelming response, but also provided other supporters with ample reasons to conduct a campaign. These campaigns clearly indicated that by thinking creatively, almost any occasion can be turned into a fundraising event for a charity. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, New Year, Diwali, Eid, Children’s Day, Independence Day, Republic Day, World Hunger Day, Joy of Giving Week, etc., you name it and a fundraising campaign can be created around it.

Be an online fundraising campaigner

Akshaya Patra intends to benefit more and more children to solve the problem of classroom hunger and support education. By choosing to fundraise of this child NGO, you will become a part of this noble journey. And, as you donate the raised funds to the NGO, you will also benefit from the Section 80G of Income Tax Act on your donated amount. Thus, an online fundraising comes with dual benefit. So, get set to harness the power of internet and your social media groups. Start a campaign today! Support food, education, and dreams of millions of children.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an Ngo in India providing food for 1.6 million school children across 12 States and 28 locations.