Let’s say you have organized a successful fundraiser to raise money to support the impactful work of your organization or partner organizations. People from within and outside your network have poured in generous donations for your cause. Because the fundraiser was successful and the donations essential to the continuous operation of your organizations or partner organizations, you will probably want to organize a fundraiser again.

Cultivating Donor Relationships

How do you get people interested in supporting your cause again? 

One of the best ways is to provide transparency in how the donations were spent and what kind of impact was enabled by the donations. This can be done through an impact report. In addition to expressing gratitude to the donors, the impact report also enables you to retain your relationship with existing donors and develop new relationships with potential donors.

Demonstrating Organizational/Program Effectiveness 

With more funders transitioning to trust-based philanthropy, a comprehensive review of how donations are making a difference is more important than ever for organizations to effectively fundraise to ensure their financial resilience. 

A fundraiser impact report offers an overview of the goals, objectives, and outcome of the fundraiser. This provides donors with the knowledge that their donations are efficiently spent on worthwhile causes. Additionally, the report enables (potential) donors, volunteers, partners and collaborators etc. to learn more about the organizer, its mission and impact, and its efficiencies of donation utilization. This could attract potential donors and partners to support the organization and its initiatives. 

When communicating the impact of your fundraiser, you want to include both qualitative and quantitative data. For example, in addition to reporting the number of people benefiting from the funded projects, you should also include testimonials from the beneficiaries about the projects.

Transparency and Accountability 

An impact report provides donors with insight into how their contributions were used and the positive impact created as a result. Through clearly communicating program outcomes, financial management, and the organization’s/project’s overall impact, you can build trust and credibility with your donors.

What are the Key Components of a Fundraiser Impact Report? 

Introduction

In the Introduction section, provide a brief overview of the fundraiser: 

• What are its goals and objectives?
• Who was it organized by?
• When and where did it take place?
• What is the total amount of funds raised (amount allocated for grant)?
• Who/what are the beneficiaries?
• What is the total number of beneficiaries?/What is the total benefit?

Organization/ Project Description

If your fundraiser was held to raise funds for your organization or a particular project, describe it in detail. This section is especially important for a fundraiser supporting multiple projects and organizations. 

Let’s use FSI’s 2023 Annual Holiday Fundraiser as an example. In the impact report, you can see a detailed breakdown of each of the six funded projects all over the world. Each project description includes:

• Timeline of the project
• Location of the project
• Organizer/manager of the project
• The reason it receives funding: the credentials of the organizer/manager of the project, the solutions it offers to address challenges in the community
• The amount of funds allocated to the project
• What the funds were spent on
• The number of beneficiaries
• Photos and/or videos of the project
• Testimonials from the beneficiaries and organizer/manager of the project
• Links to the organizer/manager’s website and/or contact information and social media

Financial Transparency

Provide a breakdown of how donations were allocated in as much detail as possible to provide transparency. For an example of how to do this, please refer to the “Funds Raised” section in the FSI 2023 Annual Holiday Fundraiser Impact Report.

Acknowledgments and Conclusion

Don’t forget to thank the people who made this fundraiser possible! These people include the donors, the volunteers who help with data collection and drafting the impact report, the funded organization(s)/project(s) for doing the impactful work they do etc. 

Take the “Conclusion” section as an opportunity to call for action for future donation and support. Invite funders, partners, and collaborators to join your next fundraiser to create even greater shared impact, for example.

Data Collection and Prep Work for the Impact Report 

Now that you know what needs to be included in the impact report, you should have a clear idea of the qualitative and quantitative data you will need to collect to compile a comprehensive impact report. Here are some tips to help you plan your workflow: 

•  Work with your colleagues to list out the different kinds of data and metrics you will need to collect. 
• Think about how you will collect the data and metrics, and discuss division of labour with your colleagues. 
• Brainstorm the time needed for each and all tasks, and draft a timeline to hold everyone accountable for their work tasks and deadlines.
• Include regular check-ins with the FSI team, which can be done online or in person. Take these check-ins as meetings for progress updates or raising whatever queries you may have about your work.

PS!

FSI recently published our 2024 Annual Holiday Fundraiser Impact Report. Check the report out and use it as a reference!

At FSI, we’re always seeking to improve, so if you have any feedback on this guide/template, please do not hesitate to let us know.

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Read this resource published by Fundraising KIT to learn more about the concept of donor moves management fundraising, its different stages, and how donor segmentation can enable you to send more targeted messages.

The post A Guide to Donor Moves Management Fundraising appeared first on Foundation for Shared Impact.

An occasion like this calls for an elevator pitch: a short summary of your organization or project that you can convey in the time it takes to complete an elevator ride.

When crafted and delivered well, an elevator pitch can result in further relationship development and increased support for your organization.

Read this resource by Nonprofit Hub to learn more about how to craft a successful elevator pitch.

If you are a social impact entrepreneur seeking early-stage start-up funding, read our Checklist for Fund-Seeking Startup Founders to explore external fundraising and financing opportunities in Hong Kong as well as our tips on business pitching,

The post How to Craft a Successful Elevator Pitch appeared first on Foundation for Shared Impact.

Read this resource written by Candid to learn the 10 strategies that will help you prepare for end-of-year fundraising.

Take a look at our other resources curated for social impact organizations here.

The post It’s Never Too Early to Prepare: 10 End-of-year Fundraising Strategies appeared first on Foundation for Shared Impact.

Read this resource written by BoardSource to learn more about the key elements in board fundraising policies and start your own policy with the sample provided.

Want to learn more about engaging your board for better fundraising efforts? Read our guide here.

Take a look at our other resources curated for social impact organizations here.

The post Board Fundraising Policy appeared first on Foundation for Shared Impact.

The post Community Fundraising Strategy Template appeared first on Foundation for Shared Impact.

Read this resource written by Winkler Group to learn how your board members can support the fundraising efforts for your organization.

Take a look at our other resources curated for social impact organizations here.

Can’t access the above? Read an excerpt.

Top 10 Ways Board Members Support Fundraising

1. Lead: As a board member, you hold the highest leadership role in the organization. You
   provide your organization with clear future direction by ensuring that a strategic plan is in place.
   Use the strategic plan as a governing tool to work on and resolve difficult problems that might
   be of concern to donors. When a board consistently focuses on the organization’s mission,
   actively works on resolving problems, plans for the future, and communicates a shared vision, it
   truly inspires the confidence of donors.
2. Give: Make your own meaningful, significant gift to your organization and consider a monthly, quarterly, and/or Legacy pledge. Share your story of your giving with the rest of the board, explain the need for 100% participation of the board in giving. Seek different opportunities to give in-kind resources or services (computer equipment, office supplies, transportation, furniture, professional services, etc.)
3. Volunteer: Support your organization in the behind the scenes work of fundraising by volunteering to help organize events, solicit auction items, write notes on donor solicitation letters, serve on the fundraising committee, help host donor visits to your organization, provide tech help for the Facebook page, edit newsletters, and so on. Find out where you are needed and where you can make the biggest different in support of fundraising…then get involved.

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