Some Easy Ways to Raise More Money for Our Work

Haley Bash, the director of the Donor Organizer Hub, suggests many of us (organizers and volunteers) can become better fundraisers by adopting a few simple steps.

By Haley Bash

“They’ve got the money, we’ve got the people” is a common saying for a reason. Rightwing donors have billions and we, the 99%, definitely have more hearts, minds, hands, and feet. But we still need money to win elections.

It takes money to print literature to leave at doors, to design and print signs we carry to protests, and to cover the cost of auto-dialers for phone banks. Collectively funding those resources takes people power.

I’ve heard so many activists say, “I think it’s great what you do, but I’m not a fundraiser; I’m an organizer.” Are you thinking that as you read? The truth is, you are probably both. If you have forwarded a fund-raising email, shared an Act Blue link, or recommended making donations to particular groups or candidates, you are already acting as a fundraiser. And it’s not hard to up your game.

We Gotta Stop Apologizing

Ever been to a church service? As the plate gets passed around to collect money from congregants, the pastor doesn’t stand up and say, “I’m sorry we’re asking for money again this week. I know it’s tough times in this economy right now and not everyone can donate, so don’t feel obligated, after all, I’m not a fundraiser. I’m here as your pastor.”

That would be ridiculous, right? The pastor knows what the church is offering—the gift of God, something bigger than any one of us individually. That pastor doesn’t think in false binaries of “donor or doer.” Pastors capture the moment of inspiration, usually following the sermon, to allow people to align their actions with their values.

We too have an inspiring gift we’re offering people when we fundraise: an opportunity to defeat fascism and deliver on the promise of freedom and justice for all.

You Have More Influence Than You Think

When I approach the topic of fundraising with a volunteer, the first hesitations I usually hear are about being affluent, such as: “I’m not wealthy” or “I don’t know any wealthy people.”

In You Have More Influence Than You Think, social psychologist Vanessa Bohns highlights dozens of research studies that show people making requests have one thing in common: we vastly underestimate the influence we have over others. People are generally twice as likely to say yes compared to what we expect.

Light Lifts You Can Add to Your Fundraising Repertoire

Now that we have confirmed you 1) are already a fundraiser and 2) will have have more success then you expect, here are some ways you can use the influence you already have to raise funds for the causes you care most deeply about:

1. Add a Donate link to your group’s newsletter or your personal email signature. 

Include a simple sentence or two on the importance of grassroots dollars and what you’re raising for. That’s all you need.

As activists, we send out lots of emails. Different people are ready to take different kinds of action at different times.

It may be that someone sees the link and decides to send a rapid response donation to relieve their anxiety. Or perhaps a long-time volunteer is ready to financially support a cause they’ve invested their time in.  

2. Supply an ActBlue link at the end of your virtual events. At in-person events, offer QR code or pass a bucket!

   

As activists, we host a lot of events. When I began as a volunteer for Showing Up for Racial Justice Bay Area, we raised funds at every single gathering we had: orientations, trainings, rallies, book clubs, and film screenings. Sure, we didn’t raise as much as we would at a dedicated fundraising event, but the couple hundred bucks raised each time we gathered added up to thousands of dollars over the course of a year. 

You don’t have to be a fundraising pitch expert. All you need to do is assign this task to the person closing out the event. You likely already have it in your agenda to provide attendees with a summary of the event and next steps. Making sure participants know how to donate takes 30-60 seconds.

3. Get creative. Look for the low hanging fruit, the relatively easy ways you can highlight opportunities for others to donate to a cause you care about most.

Here are suggested steps for an “audit”:

• Where is the donation link on your website?

• Does your email signature have a tagline of explanation and link to a donation page? 

• Have you mentioned the opportunity to donate to three progressive friends who aren’t currently politically active?

• Can you budget 15 minutes every quarter to send an email to 10 friends with 1-2 recommended donation links?

• Can your team members each record a 2-minute YouTube video explaining why you donated to a cause you care about deeply? Brainstorm other ideas for social media content that can be produced simply for no money.

• Do you have a regularly scheduled social outing (examples: book club, group dinner, bowling league) where you could plug a donation opportunity as a first step for getting involved in a political cause?

The only limit is your imagination. Each small action can translate into resources that our movement did not previously have.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Do you have some questions you’d like to work through with someone experienced?

You can sign up for a 15-minute intro 1:1 conversation with Donor Organizer Hub. We’ll learn about your background and interests, get your questions answered, and figure out next steps that will help you achieve your goals within a timeline that makes sense to you.

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Haley Bash is the Founder and Executive Director of Donor Organizer Hub, which trains, coaches, and convenes everyday people to build power in our movements through fundraising for them.

Read more of “what works” in the Grassroots Connector.