Q&A with Mia Fill, University of Colorado Boulder Crowdfunding Coordinator

  Mia Fill is the Crowdfunding Program Coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder and an expert in digital storytelling. Though the campus platform, she has managed nearly 50 crowdfunding campaigns and encouraged donations from over 2,500 supporters.   1. For someone in the initial stages of launching a platform, what would you recommend as a good number of projects to start with? I think if you have never done crowdfunding whatsoever, start with one or two. If you're really trying to get your program up and running, aim for five and have them in very different areas. I wouldn't…

How to Create a Killer Giving Day Communications Kit for Your Ambassadors

A key component of any successful Day of Giving is advocacy from organizational champions that help get the word out. This can be staff, faculty, alumni, or past donors; the important thing is to reach out (ideally more than 3 months in advance) and identify who within these groups is willing to help tell your story and inspire their networks to action. You can find these members through a variety of tactics: at donor or staff events where you can announce your upcoming initiative, through major gift officers who can ask for support using an existing relationship, through very tailored…

Crowdfunding Campaign Communications Checklist

Great communication is the centerpiece of any successful crowdfunding campaign. However, many people struggle with how to schedule and maintain a good level of communication to keep the attention of donors and supporters. That's why we created this crowdfunding campaign communications checklist to help you get started! Organizations managing platforms should be aware of this hurdle and work to empower their project teams to understand the basic tenets of knowing their core audience, channels, and creating a schedule. Pre-Launch (~30 days before) Goals: #1 Build a community of advocates. #2 Reach 30% of goal in pre-commitments. Ask Your Campaign Champions Be a…

How to Write Fantastic Crowdfunding Campaign Email Updates

In this post, you will learn: Why each group in your community needs updates during your fundraising campaignWhen it's best to send an updateWhat should make up an update (with included templates) First, let’s talk about the different types of supporters and donors you are trying to communicate effectively with. We find it's best to update your networks roughly by these groups: Supporters: The early supporters are often also the most invested in your success. Tell them how much the campaign has raised in the first few days, and at regular intervals, as well as what you intend to do…

5 Steps to Maximize Your Campaign Fundraising with Social Media

According to Kendall Almerico, writing for Entrepreneur, "gaining financial support through social media is not as simple as posting a picture of your lunch on Facebook or retweeting the latest joke from Jimmy Kimmel. Successful fundraising through social media requires planning, dedication, and determination." Whether you're running a rewards-based crowdfunding campaign (like preselling an item) or a simple donation fundraising campaign, the same holds true: people can't support what they don't know about. Here are a few tips to help get you on track, and make sure the effort you spend pays off. Step 1: Clean up. Make sure your profiles…

12 Tips to Navigate the Fundraising “Valley of Death”

The “valley of death” (the middle part of a campaign) can be a trying time, as momentum tends to wane and fundraising may plateau…but you have to keep going! Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your community excited and engaged through “the valley.” 1. Offer special limited-time deals with a few rewards. This provides a sense of excitement and urgency when things might be a bit slow. Blast your offer on social media for a few days and make sure you keep track of who purchases them! For example, offer double of one reward for a 24 hour…

Considerations for Launching a Crowdfunding Platform

Launching a crowdfunding platform can be a daunting task: from effectively training your team to understanding the technical specifications to choosing the metrics you’ll use for reporting, there’s a lot to consider. That’s why we developed this systematic roadmap to walk you through the considerations you and your team should make. OBJECTIVES Why are you considering the addition of crowdfunding to your fundraising toolkit?What do you hope to accomplish by integrating a platform? Are you trying to attract net new donors, younger donors, and/or foster higher engagement by existing donors?Are you trying to foster innovation within your organization and/or fund…

Crowdfunding Campaign Launch Day: Activate Potential Fundraising Supporters

Launch day is one of the most exciting for a crowdfunding campaign. It's essential that your first degree (family, friends, those in your network you're certain will support your efforts) and potential supporters know your campaign is ready to begin collecting money. Remind them with a personalized email.  In this post, you will learn: The best messages to send to potential supporters on day one of your fundraising campaign.Helpful links are included.Templates are provided to give you a starting point. Purpose:  Let the community know that your campaign is live.Remind them to support and share.Ask for support and provide instructions.…

Writing a Great Crowdfunding Campaign Press Release

Crowdfunding campaigns can benefit from media attention by extending networks beyond campaign creators' individual communities through a quality press release. It's generally accepted that traditional press releases don't have the same kind of readership they once had. One main reason for this is that in general, we don't consume news the same way we did even 10 years ago. Instead of shuffling out the front door for the paper to read over breakfast, we're more likely to scroll through our Twitter feeds to see what's up in the world around us. In this post, you will learn: Elements of effective…

Giving Day & Crowdfunding Campaign Video Creation Guide

Creating campaign videos can be extremely helpful in engaging your community. Learn how to easily put together an impactful video. First things first, before you ever hit record you need to write an outline. It doesn't have to be a script, just organize what you want to say. Your video should be attention-grabbing, short (2-3 minutes), and to the point. Here are the most important elements to include: Introduction Introduce yourself and your team and explain why you're championing this effort. Introducing yourself might seem like a "duh," but it helps establish credibility. Make sure to speak directly to the camera to…

Connecting With Your Community: Your First Degree

Preparing your potential supporters, including your friends and family, for your campaign to go live is an essential component of success! First Degree of Separation: Your closest friends and family who know and love you, and will support you in your campaign (through donations or otherwise), no matter what. Aside from your team, your first degree are your biggest advocates. Potential Supporter: Anyone that may support the campaign, but are not in your first degree of separation. These people are still hugely empowering. They could be on a newsletter mailing list, colleagues or classmates, or acquaintances who share your passion.…

Katie Haystead

Katie Haystead

Senior Vice President, Partnerships

With over a decade of experience working with K12 schools and higher education institutions’ fundraising efforts, Katie Haystead now oversees the partnerships team at Community Funded. Her passion for partner success and satisfaction aligns with Community Funded’s priorities and Katie’s unique background is well suited to manage the day to day operations of our partnerships team as well as new market acquisition.

Prior to joining the team at Community Funded, Katie served many roles within the Fundraising Division at Ruffalo Noel Levitz. Her experience ranges from working onsite and remotely with clients executing phonathon programs, developing annual giving strategies, onsite consultations and also developing multichannel strategies allowing for strong synergy between annual giving channels and creating strong major and planned gift pipelines.

Katie is based in Metro Detroit and is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where she worked for the phonathon for 3 years while working towards her History Major.

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Kim Jennings

Kim Jennings

Senior Generosity Strategist, Generis

Kim Jennings, CFRE is a skilled fundraising leader who believes in the power of Christian education to raise up thoughtful, strong, committed leaders who can make our world a better place for all.

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Kim Jennings

Todd Turner

Director of Digital Strategies, Generis

In addition to his 11 years overseeing Chuck Swindoll’s Insight Living Ministries communications department, Todd Turner has worked as a digital strategist for faith based organizations across the globe..

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Kim Jennings

Jennifer Perrow

Senior Generosity Strategist, Generis

Jennifer is a skilled fundraising and communications professional who helps ministries articulate vision, communicate mission, and raise abundant funds to advance Kingdom priorities.

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