min read
In this post, you will learn:
- Why each group in your community needs updates during your fundraising campaign
- When it’s best to send an update
- What 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 next in each update.
Potential Supporters:
These people might be thinking about supporting your cause, and with a few days of successful fundraising under your belt, they may be more likely to support. They may also share your story with their networks, even if they don’t contribute funds yet.
Campaign Team:
These are your go-to people. Keep them updated often, and don’t be afraid to ask for additional help if you need it. A weekly update (or more frequent, should the need arise) to your team members is a great time to talk about which social media posts are gaining the best traction, big donations in the works, and any adjustments your marketing plan may need to make.
Now that you’ve identified your audience, your community needs to know that your campaign is making progress!
Make sure to send updates regularly to demonstrate your commitment to success, and create incentives for people to stay (or become) involved. In our experience, these are the best times to reach out:
- 10% complete (Day 3 on 30-day campaign)
- 27% complete (Day 8 on 30-day campaign)
- 50% complete (Day 15 on 30-day campaign)
- 73% complete (Day 22 on 30-day campaign)
- 90% complete (Day 27 on 30-day campaign)
- Any other time where your community needs new information.
Finally, as you update your community on the campaign’s progress, you need to make sure your appeals are authentic and persuasive.
Some basic tenets to keep in mind are to always remind everyone how they can help, make sure you add details that are specific to your campaign and the group you are reaching out to, and include video updates and pictures if you have them.
Here are some templates for key updates during your campaign as a starting point. Remember: make sure to craft these to represent your voice and goals. Personality is what drives engagement!
First Campaign Update Before Launch
Subject line ideas:
- We’re rocking the world…in 3 days.
- 72 hours until it all changes.
- The countdown begins…
Hello [Name],
How’s it going? [personal story or connection]
(ex. How’s it going? It was so great to see you at Connor’s party the other night! I’m so glad to hear volleyball is going well. We should catch up soon.)
As you may know, I’m involved with [campaign effort or organization], which is [description and reason for campaign]. I would love for you to be a part of this.
(ex. As you may know, I’m involved with the Monument Valley Community Garden. We provide fresh, organically grown produce to the Monument Valley Resource Center, which serves the under-resourced in Howler County. We’re about to launch a crowdfunding campaign to make our community garden thrive, and I would love for you to be a part of this.)
We are trying to raise $[goal amount] in [campaign runtime] because [need or problem campaign solves].
(ex. We are trying to raise $1,800 in 2 weeks (June 28 – July 14) to buy a deer fence for the garden (we’ve seen deer droppings regularly). It is truly a miracle that the deer haven’t destroyed all the produce in the garden. We see the garden as a long-term, sustainable way to serve our community and this is a practical step we are taking toward that.)
[Name], I am asking for your support in this campaign …will you support us with a donation when it launches?
Another way you can help is to ask you to share our campaign. If this is something that you resonate with, please share our story!
Finally, I wanted to invite you to our campaign launch party on [party date] at [party location]. We’re going to get a bunch of people together and celebrate the launch of our campaign. I would love it if you could make it! Let me know if you’re able to come!
Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas!
I’ll talk to you soon!
– [Name]
Mid-Campaign Update
Subject line ideas:
- So excited to fill you in!
- Thank you! We couldn’t be doing this without you.
- All the things have happened.
Hey everybody!
Thanks for all of your support thus far for our [campaign name and link]! Thank you to everyone who has funded, shared, and gotten involved – we are so grateful for your support!
We want to keep you posted on what we have accomplished so far:
We raised [% of goal since last email]!
[Update on progress and efforts]
(ex. Yesterday we harvested 20 bags full of lettuce, tomatoes and green beans for the Resource Center…we were told they were gone in the first 15 minutes! We’re not surprised…look at these beauties! We continue to do biweekly care for the garden on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm at the Monument Valley Resource Center – come join us if you can!)
[Supporting Images]
Check out our first video update [include link or embed video]! You can find all of our updates on our campaign page on the “updates” tab!
Right now, we have [days left in the campaign] and we still need to raise $[amount remaining] of $[goal amount] that will allow us to [campaign reason].
We are very excited to get this campaign off the ground! We are determined to meet and hopefully even exceed our goal, but we can’t do it without you. Please consider making a contribution and pass our campaign [include link] on to as many people as you can and help us get the rest of the way there.
We’re doing this, people! Thank you for everything!
Sincerely,
[Name]
Final Update Before Campaign Ends
Subject Line Ideas:
- 1 day left!
- Tomorrow is it…we can do this!
Good Morning Everyone –
We have 1 full day left of our fundraiser and we are overwhelmed by the generosity and excitement for our campaign our community has shown. If you want to help us bring this awesome campaign to completion, now is the time! We are currently $[amount remaining] short of our $[goal amount] goal.
[OR]
We’ve raised over our $[goal amount] by [$x dollars]. This is what we can do if we reach $[ stretch goal amount].
We have [# of supporters] supporters and that is absolutely inspiring.
Please do what you can to help us reach our goal! Our campaign ends on [end date] at [end time]. Please share this with your people and encourage them to pledge!
Thank you very much for everything that you’ve done!
Sincerely,
[Name]
[campaign link]
