1 Billion for 1 Billion = 10 Learning Points

The ambitious online appeal from the World Food Programme is a great tutor for how to do an online appeal right.

Faced with a major funding shortfall as donor government resources are hit by the economy, WFP is appealing directly to one billion individuals to give small amounts of cash to beat hunger. This is their first such appeal.

Here’s what we can learn:

1. Use a simple, easy-to-remember address: www.WFP.org/1Billion that takes you directly to the appeal’s landing page.

2. A clear, direct emotional appeal with an equally clear goal.

3. Hard hitting data that supports the appeal.

4. Simple uncluttered graphics get the message across.

5. A clear, short video that supports and quickly details the appeal.

6. A clear call to action.

7. 3 different donate buttons on the landing page all going straight to the donation processor.

8. More ways to support the appeal going viral than most of us know exist.

9. The WFP feeds a lot more people than just children.  But the needs of children are an effective emotional hook for fundraising.  The WFP doesn’t complicate the appeal with a bigger picture.

10. This appeal doesn’t bludgeon you with long stories.  It makes an effective emotional point once, and hard.

Less truly is more.

How To Ask For a Major Gift (NOT)

Hear Matt Damon asking for a major gift on Entourage.  (R for language)

FREE Seminar on State Registration Requirements for Nonprofit Fundraising

Fundraisers in all but the largest nonprofits have routinely ignored the requirements of state law that they register state-by-state before conducting their fundraising activities.  With the advent of online fundraising, the number of charities flaunting those laws has grown dramatically.

Problem is, the law makes no exceptions in any state for online fundraising.  It is only the fact that enforcement has lagged that has kept many nonprofits out of trouble.

But if you believe, as I do, that online fundraising will continue to grow, then it’s time to get right with state law, even if that might involve administrative headaches and costs of anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars every year.

And if you need additional encouragement, take a look at the new IRS Form 990.  It asks questions that you don’t want to be answering with less than the truth!

Wondering what to do?  Start with this FREE seminar from AffinitySeminars.com, “Do You Have To Register For Fundraising?”  It will include essential details as well as some shortcuts that can save you a lot of money.