A Guest Post from Tejas Rane

A brief introduction

Churches know the importance of funding and how it can help fulfill the church’s visions and missions. Yet, it is also the toughest thing a church can ask for. Finding and raising the money necessary for missions is the crux of any church’s fundraising campaign. Traditional means and resources are often relied on, however, we live in uncertain times. 

We do not know whether these sources can still be relied on. The world now thrives on an online-based ecosystem. A lot of businesses and nonprofits have moved to this new setup and are finding a lot of success. Similarly, a lot of churches are also able to start and complete new missions through online media. 

If your organization has not yet looked at accessing the online mode of acquiring funds, it is high time they look into it. Crowdfunding for churches is a relatively new concept but one that holds a lot of promise, perhaps even more than any other source. The reason for this potential is that crowdfunding has been a tried and tested way to gather funds. 

Why should churches look towards crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding has been shown to work tremendously. People gathering together to pitch in any amount to help your vision succeed is perhaps the noblest way to bring any of the church’s vision to life. 

Crowdfunding can also help you bring slightly more grand visions to life. However, not every crowdfunding campaign is going to be an instant success. It requires an insane amount of planning and strategizing to get a crowdfunding campaign to be a success. 

The reason why crowdfunding works is because of transparency. Donors will get to see why they have put the money and if their money is being used in the right place. As a church, there are plenty of steps you will need to follow to make crowdfunding a success. 

How to set up crowdfunding for churches 

In this guide, we have compiled an easy step-by-step process for you to follow to set up a crowdfunding page that is sure to attract donors. 

The setup 

The most obvious part of a successful crowdfunding campaign is the setup. It is important to choose a platform that is known to attract visitors. You will also need a few tools and features. You should look for features such as easy social media access, customizability, emailing features, and social media metrics.  

What can you include? 

Now is the time to advertise the fundraiser. Transparency is important here. You need to be clear about the purpose, the time frame, and why you need donor support. The more information you include, the more appealing it is to your donors. 

Relevant information 

Now that we know what to include, it is important not to stray away from the topic. You do not want any irrelevant information. You also want your message to be conveyed in different ways. Using pictures and videos can be useful. You can also add a link to your blog. The latter can be used to showcase the mission in broader detail. 

Regular updates 

One of the reasons why donors are far keener on crowdfunding is because they get to follow the project as it goes along. Crowdfunding essentially invites people to be a part of the narrative. If you are a church completing a mission or a building project you need to provide regular updates on the project. They need to know where their money is being used and if the requirement is big, interested people will continue giving. You should also provide an update at the end when the project ends. 

Provide reminders 

Crowdfunding is shareable on all platforms. This is important to kickstart any campaign as your congregation and any affiliated member can share it on their social media. Now that your story is out, you can encourage others who have heard of it to share it with their mutual friends as well. 

The advantages 

Now that you know how to set up and what to include in a crowdfunding page, let us take a closer look at some of the advantages

Publicly funded 

Crowdfunding is done only through public sources. This means that every single dollar that comes in will be visible. This way you will also be able to reach way more people. The transparency and plea are in a way asking people from everywhere to join the cause. 

This also means that you can set up a much bigger net fund capacity. By using regular reminders and showcasing the progress you are making, churches will be able to fulfill a lot of their bigger goals. 

Easily accessible 

The most important aspect of crowdfunding is accessibility, no minimum amounts or any kind of geographical barrier. Crowdfunding knows no boundaries, no international borders, or local languages, however, giving and working towards a cause is something that connects everyone. 

You can access the crowdfunding page from anywhere and anytime. Another distinct advantage of crowdfunding for churches is that you will be spreading the word of God along with the church’s vision. 

Can be shared everywhere

Crowdfunding can be shared anywhere and everywhere. This means that upon telling your story, the vision, and the goals you will be able to ask the members of your church and your congregation to share the story. 

By using stirring content, one that evokes the feeling of charity in readers you will be able to cast a wider net of donors. Being genuine and transparent will bolster your plea and help you build an online community that is sympathetic to your cause.  

Concluding thoughts 

While crowdfunding for churches is in its nascent stages it is rapidly gaining traction. Soon it will be the go-to way to achieve a church’s goals and to help their communities. If your church has not yet thought about crowdfunding, it is time. You don’t just need to consider it as an idea, but rather implement it. No matter the size of the project, you will be able to achieve it through the power of shared giving.