Here are 7 tips for using GoFundMe’s team fundraising feature:
1. Choose people you know
When adding members to your fundraiser, ensure they are people you know. These people should be people you trust to put in effort and communicate as a voice for the fundraiser.
These people will have the ability to:
- post updates to the fundraiser in their own name
- Thank donors in their own name
- send messages to other team members
- view how much they’ve raised for the fundraiser
- add referrals to donations
Note: If there are people who want to support you in getting the word out about your fundraiser but are not a good fit for an official team member, they can be just as helpful in sharing your fundraiser with their own networks.
2. Invite team members
After asking someone, or a small group of people, to be a team member on your fundraising team, you can invite them as official team members. Once you set up your GoFundMe, you can add team members within your fundraiser’s dashboard.
For more information on how to add team members to your fundraiser, read this help centre article.
3. Assign team roles
One way team members can be especially helpful is by sharing the tasks that come with fundraising. Try splitting up the roles or a schedule of posting fundraiser updates, thanking donors and contacting specific people in outreach. Then, you can each use your own connections and contacts to spread the word about the fundraiser and ask for donations.
4. Choose a team goal or individual goals
If it makes sense for your fundraiser, you can have each team member create their own fundraising ‘goal’ or even make it into a friendly competition. This is a great idea for fundraisers like sports teams, classrooms and nonprofits. When team members ask people to donate to the fundraiser, the donors can specify to which team member they would like their donation to be attributed.
5. Introduce the team members in the fundraiser description
It may make sense to introduce the team members who are fundraising with you. You can do this in the fundraising description. One way to do so is a simple introduction paragraph such as, ‘This fundraiser for Alex Miller is organised by Alex’s brother, Alex’s sister-in-law and his friend Geoff. We are thankful for your help in supporting Alex during this time.’
6. Check-in on progress
Within a day or two of fundraising, check in together on the progress of your fundraiser. Share any tips or suggestions for continuing to receive donations. Decide when to post a fundraiser update to help keep donors informed.
7. Thank your team members
As you end your fundraising efforts, thanking your team members for their support goes a long way. Send them a kind note offering your appreciation and celebrating the efforts your team has made.