With charitable giving expected to grow by 3.8 percent, 2018 should be a promising year for the nonprofit sector. Marketing and fundraising are critical for organizations hoping to take advantage of this potential growth by leveraging technology to reach goals. Just as important are solutions and technology that connect all constituents (donors, volunteers, and advocates) and keep them engaged in a shared mission. A logical conduit is an organization’s website.
A dynamic website extends far beyond helping people find a nonprofit group online. It serves as an interactive tool used to:
- Educate the public on issues surrounding the cause or charity;
- Drive brand awareness and affinity;
- Attract volunteers and community support;
- Engage corporations with partner programs;
- Advertise fundraising events;
- Recruit program participants or users of the provided services;
- And increase donations and improve donor relations.
To increase engagement with all groups who access a common website, navigation and content must be well planned and executed. Information should be easy to find. Messages should be tailored for different audiences. For example, potential volunteers will require different information than a local business owner interested in sponsoring an event. Separate entry portals can be created for program participants and Board members, adding an additional level of privacy and security.
Social media integration expands the website’s reach exponentially with the number of social network users expected to grow to 2.44 billion worldwide in 2018, according to Statista. Communicating the mission of a charity to potential donors in a way that elicits a desired response can be difficult for even a seasoned fundraising professional. Technology helps deliver complex messages more clearly by consolidating them into shareable quotes and links placed within the website. Other digital solutions such as videos and live podcasts can also be effective in reaching new supporters.
Making a donation to a cause should be easy and convenient. Charitable givers represent each generational age group and should be accommodated equally. More than a fifth of Millennials have never written a check and more than half of Gen Xs and Baby Boomers prefer to give solely through an organization’s website. Credit card processing systems streamline this process making it possible for people to give more and give remotely.
As technology rapidly evolves, nonprofit organizations face the challenge of keeping pace in order to meet Board expectations and fulfill missions. “We are eager to work with nonprofit groups,” comments Julie Gareleck, CEO and Managing Partner for Junction Creative Solutions. “We created a distinct line of service to satisfy the needs of the nonprofit sector, driving down costs and streamlining processes, so they can continue to influence social change.”
If your organization is looking for innovative solutions to improve engagement, increase giving opportunities, and engage members, contact us to learn more about our packaged solution at info@junction-creative.com.