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How to create a strong Individual Giving event or campaign

A well-structured giving event or campaign not only engages your supporters but also creates a lasting relationship that drives future contributions.

Caroline Stark
3
min read

Raising funds through individual giving is one of the most impactful ways to support your organisation’s mission. A well-structured giving event or campaign not only engages your supporters but also creates a lasting relationship that drives future contributions. With today’s technology,creating a seamless giving experience has never been easier.

Step 1: Define your goal and audience

Before launching a campaign, clarify your objectives. Are you raising funds for a specific project, an annual fund, or general operating support? Next, identify your audience: past donors, volunteers, or community supporters. Understanding who you are targeting will shape your messaging and outreach strategy.

Step 2: Craft a compelling message

Your supporters need to know why their gift matters. Use storytelling to highlight real-life impact, personal stories, and tangible outcomes. Make your message clear, concise, and emotionally engaging.

Step 3: Choose the right technology

Technology can make or break the donor experience. Platforms like Emma allow you to manage email campaigns, segment your audience, and automate communications for maximum engagement. Integrating a seamless giving platform ensures donors can contribute with minimal friction, whether via desktop or mobile.

Tips for leveraging tech:

  • Personalised emails: Use Emma to send tailored messages based on donor history and preferences.
  • Automated follow-ups: Trigger thank-you messages and impact updates automatically after a donation.
  • Easy donation forms: Embed simple, mobile-optimised giving forms directly into your emails or website.
  • Integrate with payment solutions: Ensure multiple payment options (credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay) to accommodate all supporters.

Step 4: Make giving simple

A complicated giving process is one of the biggest reasons supporters abandon donations. Streamline the experience by:

  • Minimising form fields to essential information only
  • Offering suggested donation amounts while allowing custom entries
  • Clearly communicating what each gift supports
  • Ensuring your site is secure and mobile-friendly

Step 5: Promote your campaign strategically

Use multiple channels to reach your audience:

  • Email  campaigns via Emma with compelling subject lines
  • Social  media posts highlighting stories and updates
  • Website banners and pop-ups to capture attention
  • Peer-to-peer fundraising, where supporters can share the campaign

Step 6: Engage and thank your donors

Acknowledging donors quickly and personally increases retention. Use automated thank-you emails or handwritten notes for high-value gifts. Share updates on the campaign’s progress and celebrate milestones publicly to build momentum and encourage repeat giving.

Step 7: Analyse and optimise

After the campaign, review performance metrics: open rates,click-through rates, and donation conversions. Platforms like Emma provide detailed analytics to help refine future campaigns. Learn from donor behaviour and feedback to continually improve the giving experience.

Are you ready to make giving seamless?

Don’t let your donors struggle with a complicated giving process. Use Emma to streamline your campaign, engage your supporters, and maximise your impact. With Emma, sending personalised emails, automating follow-ups, and simplifying donations has never been easier, so you can focus on what truly matters: your mission.

Start your Emma-powered campaign today

About the author

Caroline Stark
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