SWEET Online Fundraising Blog

Nonprofit in New York Uses SWEET Walk-a-thon Software to Raise over $500,000

Yup.  A cool half million in a "bad economy."  They are still going too.

http://www.everywomanmatterswalk.com/

The North Shore LIJ Health System hosted a walkathon on May 16th that raised over $500K for Katz Institute for Women's Health and Katz Women's Hospital of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

Some interesting bits of data that might help your organization pull this off:

1. Over 2800 people registered online using SWEET to participate in the event.
2. The software cost less than 1% of the total revenue.   Less than 1%.
3. Over 8000 new people to date who could be converted into mailing list members for other campaigns.

We love to share our clients' success stories.  This walkathon was certainly a smashing success.  Sweet!

Tri-ing for Kids adds SWEET Software for Triathlon Fundraiser

After raising $40,000 in 2009, Tri-ing for Kids is poised to more than exceed that total in 2010 after adding SWEET Pledge Event Software to its Triathlon.

Tri-ing for Kids!! is a grassroots group that will compete in the Mighty Montauk Triathlon on June 12, 2010 to benefit Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park. The group consists of all levels of participants, from elite triathletes to newcomers to the sport.

For more information, please visit http://www.tri-ingforkids.org/.

Tri-ing for Kids proves, once again, that athletes who participate in endurance events are fantastic fundraisers.  They are hard workers, goal-oriented, and not afraid to take risks.

Formed in 2007 by Doug Rabin, the group plans on continuing its efforts for many charities by participating in endurance events throughout the year.

Walk-a-thon software leads to fundraising success in down economy

It is very difficult to raise money right now.  Sponsorships and grants are down.  Major donor prospects have dried up.

Fortunately we have good news to share.  Our clients who are using SWEET Fundraising Software for their walkathons and pledge events are experiencing unprecedented growth in their campaigns.

For example, ASK, recently raised over $145,000 in their walkathon.  Their goal was $100,000.  Preeclampsia Foundation is in the midst of their Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.  The goal for their walk was $100,000.  They have exceeded their goal and have reset their objective to $150,000.  The list goes on.

What do these orgs have in common?

1.  Their campaign involves pledge fundraising where large groups of volunteers solicit their networks for relatively small donations.  The donations can really add up. 

2.  They use SWEET Walkathon and Pledge Event  Websites.  This ensures that they are not paying exorbitant commission fees on the money that they raise, which can then be put toward the organization's mission.

The pledge fundraising model is proven to work in good and bad economies.  Development Directors need to stop making excuses and leverage tried and true methods to generate the funds that are more difficult to come by from sponsorships, grants, and major donors.