How Nonprofits Can Use a Blog to Raise Funds

Nonprofits can use a blog to raise funds. This day and age every dollar counts and most dollars are shrinking. It's no wonder then that charity organizations are looking for ways to increase revenue. Blogging and social media is becoming more popular among charitable organizations.

Much of the funding from the nonprofit I serve comes from online sources. In fact, a large chunk of our funding comes from our blog. Surprised? Don't be. There are many ways that nonprofits can use a blog to raise funds.

As my board of directors found out the results of raising funds through blogging won't be immediate. However, with a designated blogger and some hard work your charity may begin seeing results in a few months or less.

Connections

First and foremost a blog is a wonderful tool to connect your nonprofit with the world. Specifically, you want your volunteers and board of directors to sit up and pay attention. This should be your primary target audience. They are already vested in your organization and want to know what is going on. Blogs are a good way to keep your organization's activities in front of them.

Donations

Some people think that nonprofits can use their blog to raise funds by simply putting it online and adding a Pay Pal button. In reality, it's just not that simple. There are a few people who will donate online but most won't.

However, even the ones who won't use an online donation process will like having it there. It gives your board of directors the feeling that all the bases are covered. What they don't realize is that the promotion of an online donation link is largely up to them. Nonprofits can create the best content in the world but it's secondary to the support of a board of directors.

Board of Directors

Nonprofits need to get their board of directors involved when trying to raise funds with a blog. Chance are high that many of your directors will have jobs or own their own small companies. What better way to show their support for the nonprofit than to take out a small ad?

When your board member's company graphic or business card is scanned in and posted to the blog it does two things. First, it shows the board members support and commitment to the nonprofit. Second, it demonstrates a way that a blog can help raise funds.

Sponsored advertisements

When you talk with local companies about sponsored advertisements expect to be asked about board member support. Showing them that other businesses are already using your blog to get their message out makes them more likely to support the blog.

When looking at how nonprofits can use a blog to get sponsored advertisements there are a couple of ways that this can be done. One way is to talk with your local companies and get them on board. Your charity can rent sidebar space or sell blog articles themselves.

Renting or selling space to online companies

There are online companies that will help your nonprofit raise funds. They don't tend to pay as much as a local sponsorship. However, these companies can be useful for filling in gaps.

If you do register with a company do make sure that you can turn down any offers that don't fit with your blog theme. Don't take the chance on writing a $6.00 blog post and alienate your donor base. Articles that are unrelated to your mission are confusing for donors and volunteers.

The thing to remember is that nonprofits can use a blog to raise funds. The nonprofit that I work with has done so for years. Blogging is is an effective tool that many charities may want to consider.