Showing posts with label donations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label donations. Show all posts

Thursday, August 27, 2015

How to Build a Charity Website (5 Steps)


Select and register your domain name. To do this, go to a domain-registration company, such as GoDaddy.com, and perform a domain name search to make sure your desired domain name is available. Your domain should end in .org (which stands for organization) for this type of site. Once you've found a unique name, register it.
Select your hosting company. The hosting company you select will depend on the services you will need. You can either select a discount hosting company, such as GoDaddy.com, which will offer fewer features for a lower fee. On the other hand, you can choose a full-service option, such as CharityAdvantage.com, which will design your Web page, host your site, collect donations and provide information on your donors.
Write your site content. The most important aspect of your site is the content you provide your readers. You will want your readers to know all about your cause at first glance. On your home page, you will want to tell your readers the name of your charity and the cause it is dedicated to, what your charity provides to its recipients, if your charity is tax deductible, your 401(c) number, how to donate to your charity (covered further in step 5) and any other pertinent information. On other pages in your Web site, you will want to provide your readers with your charity's history, some testimonies of what has been accomplished and the charity's vision for the future.
Design and upload your new Website. You may choose to design the site yourself (if you have the technical skills), use a Web site building application (available through most hosting companies) or hire someone to do this. If you wish to hire someone for this task, freelance companies, such as RentACoder.com, can help you find someone with the skills you need. Using photos will give your new Web site a more personal feel. Your Web site's written content needs to be used together with the design features (colors, photos, etc.) to convey your message.
Collect donations. Now that you have created your site, you will want a way for your readers to provide donations online. This can be easily done through PayPal.com. This option will not require to you open a merchant account to accept credit cards, which usually requires both high start-up costs and monthly fees. To accept payments through PayPal.com you will need to open an account and add a 'Donate Button' to your new Web site. Although online payments are the most convenient for most people, it is always good to provide a mailing address for those who prefer to mail in their donations.
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Saturday, August 22, 2015

How to Design an NGO Website (4 Steps)


Ask the NGO's representative how the group intends to host the website: It might be on its own server, a paid hosting service or a hosting company donating free service space. If the hosting is free, it may be bare-bones to the point it won't support CGI and other special features, so take that into account in your design.
Identify the audience the NGO wants to reach. If the organization's online goal is to attract donations, it needs a website that explains why it needs money and what the donations will be spent on. If the website's purpose is to connect with people who need help -- families who can't afford food, for instance -- it's more important to post a map showing local food banks, or instructions on applying for federal food aid.
Build the website to suit the NGO's goals. A good website focused on fund-raising, for instance, looks serious and professional, provides enough history, testimonials and information about the organization to show that donations are well-spent and should provide a link for easy donations by PayPal or credit card. A website for abused spouses makes vital information, such as shelter locations or a contact number for help, easily available and minimizes flashy, distracting elements.
Design the site so that it's easy for the NGO to make changes and updates. Unless you're a member or a volunteer for the group, the NGO staff will have to keep it running after you finish the job. The easier it is to post new information to the site, the better for the NGO and the people it helps.
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Thursday, August 20, 2015

How to Host a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser (6 Steps)


Find a low-cost venue. Community centers, school gyms or church halls work well for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser because they provide a lot of space at little (or no) cost. Ask around the community for available venues and set a date once you identify your location.
Find sponsors. Getting the food you need for your spaghetti dinner menu donated will cut down on costs and increase profits. Talk to local grocery stores or Italian restaurants about donating food and offer them advertising space at the event in exchange for their donation. As Step by Step Fundraising explains, 'obtaining sponsorship may help you offer a fancier or more generous meal to your attendees.' At a minimum, you will need donations of pasta, salads, garlic bread and desserts.
Publicize your spaghetti dinner. Post fliers on community bulletin boards and advertisements in church bulletins and in school or neighborhood newsletters. Use word-of-mouth advertising as well---ask friends and family to attend and bring a guest. Post notices about the event on social networking sites.
Set a ticket price and sell tickets. The main fundraising tool at the spaghetti dinner is profits from ticket sales. Guests pay to get into the dinner, essentially paying for their meal, and the organization takes home the ticket sales. Fundraiser Help recommends setting ticket prices 'fairly low' and offering discounts for families and senior citizens. A $5 to $10 ticket price is reasonable and will attract donors.
Decorate the venue. An attractive setup will help set the mood for a successful spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Top tables in white or red-and-white-checked linens to set an Italian mood. Top the table with votive candles and play Italian music in the background. Guests will appreciate your effort and perhaps show their appreciation with additional donations.
Enlist a team of volunteers to execute the fundraiser. First NEMO recommends serving the pasta family-style to cut down on waste. Have volunteers serve as wait staff and bring large, family-style plates to each table for guests to share.
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