Three things successful schools do that can take your online fundraiser to the next level.

COVID has been a primary reason that significantly more schools have switched to online fundraiser ideas as their direct way to raise money. According toBlackbaud Institute, online giving grew 9% year over year in 2021 on top of the significant growth experienced in 2020.

And over the past three years, virtual giving has increased by 42%. Online donations continue to show positive trends made on mobile devices. In other words, it doesn’t appear that we’re returning to more traditional fundraising methods anytime soon.

A Brief Look at School Fundraising History

When schools started working withfundraising companies to sell products, they didn’t even have brochures to show to potential buyers. Students used a ‘sales kit’ with a limited product supply. And to make matters worse, all merchandise was shipped in bulk, with the sponsor sorting and boxing before their students could distribute it to their supporters.

When brochures and order forms became available, schools thought they had hit the motherlode. Imagine being able to choose from a large assortment of items. People could order whatever they wanted.

Over the years,product fundraising has become more accessible, with computer scanning of products to ensure accurate order processing and prepackaged orders by sellers. But while approaching neighbors, family, and friends in person is still an effective strategy; more groups are now turning to online methods for school fundraisers.

Three reasons schools need to make online fundraisers the centerpiece of their money-making strategy are:

1. The Growth of Online Fundraising

As everyone already knows, technology is ever-changing. Online fundraising is no different. Once an exception to the rule, Blackbaud pioneered the nonprofit technology market by introducing virtual donation forms in 1999. Today, online giving represents billions in charitable giving each year.

In 2021, 28% of online donations took place using mobile devices. There’s no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic launched us into a new digital era. The challenges brought about by social distancing and lockdowns forced everyone to find new ways to communicate and live day-to-day.

We use online platforms to buy groceries, meet business clients, and view a restaurant menu. And, of course, donors are turning to the internet to support causes that are important to them. Everything changed In 2020 by ushering in a new path for school fundraising. If the last couple of years since Covid are any indication, we haven’t seen anything yet.

2. The Benefits of an Online Fundraiser for Schools

With today’s technology, there is no excuse for not taking advantage of virtual fundraising. It saves money, time, and work. Here are five reasons why selling online needs to be a part of yourschool fundraiser plans:

1. Larger Market: Your sellers can promote your sale anywhere in the country.
2. Easy Promotion: Online store platforms make it easy for students to reach out to friends and family.
3. No Delivery: The product ordered online is shipped directly to the customer, not the school (Unless purchasers choose the ‘ship to school’ option).
4. Prize Credit: Students can receive prize credit for online sales.
5. Bonus Earnings: Your group makes a competitive profit percentage, sometimes up to 50%.

Many parents don’t feel comfortable with their students selling out in the community. Many neighborhoods are unsafe going door to door in, regardless of parental supervision. Because of the uncertainty, reaching out to family and friends through virtual means is a viable alternative. Online stores are now easy to use, safe, and secure.

Ever wonder how some students sell many items and win better prizes when selling products? It’s because they incorporate a dual-selling approach. They take advantage of making sales in person and selling to people online. Schools are reaping the benefits of an increase in online sales as well.

Some schools now raise as much online as they used to use a sales catalog. For example, one school in Florida raised $20,000 in brochure sales. But if that’s not enough, they made another $20,000 online. 

4 Online Fundraising Ideas that Increase Sales

Suppose your school does abrochure fundraiser. Here are four ways to improve your profits.

1. Promote in-person and online sales.
2. Send an online information letter home to parents.
3. Remind students to register so they can make online sales.
4. Remind students to invite people to visit their online store.

One company offers prizes to students who send out emails to their contacts. To win these prizes, people don’t even need to buy anything. The take-home message is clear. Just get the word out and drive traffic to the online store. If they’re going to make a purchase, you need to get them there first.

Learn how to use the internet to boost your school fundraiser

3. Leverage the Power of Social Media

Talk about greatly expanding your marketing base.Social media promotion works incredibly well when promoting online sales because you can post your online store link with your comments. Be sure to upload an eye-catching image to draw more people to your post. Students registered to make sales online can also provide their school code in the social media post so the purchaser can enter it, and they’ll get the prize credit.

Schools need to promote this type of marketing directly to parents, particularly when younger students are involved. Instead of approaching their friends on Instagram or Snapchat, older students should be encouraged to connect with older family friends and relatives with the financial means to make online purchases.

Engaging multiple audiences on social media giants like Facebook and Twitter are great for getting the word out about your sale. And not only should parents be encouraged to reach out to their networks, but if the school also has social media outlets, they can do the same. Make your message personable and relevant, but keep it simple.

Because of the advancement of digital technology, the opportunities to make money online have never been more significant. Like anything else, the key tosuccessful online fundraising is not just to work hard but also to work smart.