How to launch and promote an animal advocacy nonprofit fundraiser
An animal advocacy fundraiser is a powerful way to protect vulnerable animals from abuse and exploitation. Animal advocacy nonprofit organizations are committed to this, engaging in activism, education, and intervention efforts to help animals in need and influence public policy and legislation. Online fundraising platforms such as GoFundMe help these nonprofit organizations share their mission, reach a broad audience, and process donations safely. Our helpful guide will explore effective ways to build community support, use marketing tools efficiently, and encourage donations to help you reach your fundraising goals.
How can you launch a fundraiser for an animal advocacy nonprofit?
Starting an animal advocacy nonprofit fundraiser involves defining a clear mission, setting specific and measurable goals, and choosing an effective fundraising platform like GoFundMe.
Start by creating compelling stories about the animals you want to help, with emotive visuals to connect with potential donors. Be transparent about your mission and fundraising goals, including how funds will be spent, and send regular updates to your supporters to build trust and foster loyalty among supporters.
Ensure the online donation process is straightforward and secure. The GoFundMe Giving Guarantee protects donations and offers peace of mind for organizers and supporters.
Where can you promote fundraising for a stray animal aid nonprofit?
The most effective way to promote your stray animal aid fundraiser is by using a combination of online and offline channels. Use platforms like GoFundMe to connect with a global audience of animal lovers eager to make a difference. Engage local and animal-loving communities on social media by using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to increase engagement and reach.
Remember to promote your fundraiser through email campaigns, word of mouth, and partnerships with local businesses. Any chance to reach potential donors should be seen as a valuable opportunity. Share your fundraiser in local groups, team up with pet stores and veterinarians, and pitch to local media for coverage.
In-person events are an excellent way to gather support and raise awareness. Look for adoption events, animal fairs, and community gatherings to connect directly with supporters.
Encourage friends, family, and broader supporters to share your fundraiser link, helping your message spread naturally.
What strategies help gather community support for animal advocacy?
Building community support for animal advocacy takes time, effort, and dedication. Proven strategies include hosting educational events, establishing local partnerships, and hosting fundraisers on platforms like GoFundMe to engage community support in a variety of ways.
- Host educational workshops — Education is at the heart of advocacy. Whether you’re informing donors about a new project or trying to introduce new supporters to your organization, workshops on animal welfare are an excellent way to build community, loyalty, and support. Invite guest speakers to help you tap into their networks, build credibility, and extend your reach.
- Partner with local schools and youth groups — Building relationships with young people is excellent for advocacy organizations. Young people bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm, while providing a direct line to their families and educators. Combine interactive lessons with hands-on activities, visits to local wildlife centers, and invite guest speakers to inspire them.
- Organize pet adoption events — Create a friendly environment where you can connect with supporters, raise awareness, and find forever homes for animals in need. In the run-up to the event, create content to highlight available animals for adoption and share their stories. Remember to update your followers with animals who find their forever homes at the event, and always include relevant links to your fundraising page on GoFundMe for donations.
- Offer volunteer opportunities – Give supporters the chance to see your work in person and provide valuable support to your cause. Encourage volunteers to share their experiences on social media to add a personalized touch to your cause and reach a new network of their followers. Volunteer roles should benefit your organization, so think about where you need support or what particular skills a volunteer might offer. For example, a marketing professional could help out with your promotional strategy, while a local handyman could volunteer time for repairs.
- Share behind-the-scenes rescue stories on social media – If you want to tug on the heartstrings of your followers, share rescue stories of vulnerable animals and their recovery. Showcase the people at the heart of the rescue mission and capture the emotion of what saving animals means to them through interviews. This will show what your organization is fighting for and will build a community around your cause.
What online tools can boost your animal nonprofit’s visibility?
Boosting the visibility of your animal advocacy nonprofit fundraiser is easy when you have the right online tools. Start by creating a fundraiser on GoFundMe, use Canva to elevate your marketing materials, and try Mailchimp to manage your outreach on email and social media. The tools below can all help supercharge your fundraising efforts:
- GoFundMe is a trusted, easy-to-use fundraising platform with a global giving community of more than 150 million donors. It has innovative fundraising tools, social sharing abilities, and useful integrations to help you reach your fundraising goals. It also has a helpful blog full of tips and advice.
- Canva is perfect for creating eye-catching marketing materials and graphics that showcase your incredible work. It’s super easy to use with plenty of templates to take advantage of.
- Mailchimp is an all-in-one marketing tool and can be used for email outreach, social media ads, and managing audiences. GoFundMe Pro (formerly Classy), which is built for nonprofits, has a Mailchimp integration.
- Hootsuite is a social media management tool that makes scheduling easy. It allows users to draft, plan, and publish content across various social networks from one dashboard.
- Google Ads grants provide up to $10,000 in free advertising spend per month to eligible nonprofit organizations. Users can run targeted ad campaigns across search to reach people who support animal and conservation issues.
How to create compelling storytelling for your fundraiser?
Storytelling is an essential component of fundraising. When people emotionally connect with your cause, they feel compelled to support and donate. The GoFundMe platform has storytelling at its heart, with personalized fundraising pages, powerful visuals, and sharing tools to provide easy updates to supporters and spread the word. Here are some tips to elevate your storytelling:
Tell individual animal rescue stories with names, personalities, and plenty of before-and-after visuals. Show their progress under your care and share if they find their forever home. This will help people connect with your organization’s work.
Champion your staff and volunteers so that supporters can connect with people at the heart of the organization. Name them, post updates, and host social media takeovers or day-in-the-life content. Don’t be afraid to jump on trends or show personality in these posts; authenticity is what really counts on social media.
Stress the urgency of the cause to encourage people to donate without delay. It could be a medical emergency or a natural disaster that needs addressing quickly. Include statistics and personal stories to back up your points and build trust with your followers.
Show the impact of your supporters’ donations and volunteer time with plenty of visuals. This could be progress towards a shelter upgrade or the vital medical care of a rescue animal. Send these as updates via GoFundMe and post on social media.
Ways to encourage donations for animal rescue nonprofits
Once your fundraiser is up and running, it’s time to start encouraging donations. Start by setting up on GoFundMe, which is a safe and trusted online platform with a global giving community.
Transparency is essential when asking for donations. Supporters want to understand the organization’s mission and how their donations will help achieve its goals. When highlighting what support is needed, it can be helpful to suggest donation amounts or provide an itemized list of expenses, which may encourage higher donations.
Sending personalized and thoughtful communications also makes a big difference by helping supporters feel seen, included, and appreciated. Send thank-you emails with updates and photos, and publicly recognize major donors on social media.
With GoFundMe Pro (formerly Classy), nonprofits can provide recurring giving opportunities to guarantee sustained support. This helps secure the stability of the organization so it can continue to do good work.
Where can people donate to animal rescue fundraisers?
People can donate to animal rescue fundraisers in a variety of ways, including both online and in-person.
You can donate to animal advocacy organizations directly on GoFundMe, such as the ASPCA, Animal Aid Humane Society, and World Wildlife Fund. You can set up a birthday, wedding, or memorial fundraiser to ask those in your network to support the organization.
Supporters can also search online fundraisers on GoFundMe to find individuals and nonprofits running specific fundraisers to support causes. Browse animal fundraisers here.
You can also make donations directly to adoption events or rescue centers by visiting the venue, attending affiliated events, or checking out their website.
Workplace giving programs are another great way to donate directly to a cause.
Key features of GoFundMe for animal nonprofits
- Personalized fundraising pages with photos and videos
- Social media integration for wider reach, with an easy-to-use dashboard
- Secure payment processing, including donor protection with the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee
- Donor communication tools allow you to send updates and thank-you messages
- CRM integration with GoFundMe Pro
FAQ
Q: Can I run multiple animal advocacy fundraisers at once on GoFundMe?
A: Yes, you can create multiple fundraisers for different projects or emergencies.
Q: Can I set up a fundraiser for free?
A: GoFundMe fundraisers are free to set up and manage. Learn more about our fees here.
Q: Do donors need a GoFundMe account to donate?
A: No, anyone can donate without creating an account.
Q: Can I raise funds without being part of a nonprofit?
A: Yes—individuals can launch a personal fundraiser to support an animal advocacy nonprofit. At GoFundMe, you can either send funds directly to the nonprofit or withdraw funds and donate directly.
Start your animal advocacy fundraiser today
Whether you’re rescuing stray animals, funding medical care, or advocating for better legislation, online platforms like GoFundMe make it simple to connect with supporters and raise the funds you need. Start your fundraiser today and help make a lasting difference for animals in need.