An important step in any fundraiser is to keep your donors updated on your progress. Fundraisers do this in many ways, but one of the most effective ways is through an update. The update will let them know how much money you’ve raised, how you’re spending it, and how close you are to your goal.
Fundraiser updates are critical to success. In fact, fundraisers that consistently update their supporters raise 126% more.
Have you ever struggled to write a fundraiser update? Well, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Writing updates can be tough, especially if you’re not used to it. We’re here to help.
Often your supporters might not have time to read a long update about your fundraiser. Keep your updates short and sweet – around 200-300 words is perfect. If you have too much to write about, consider breaking your update into several parts.
When you’re writing your update, be as specific as possible. Tell your donors exactly how much money you’ve raised. Also, tell them how you’re spending it and what the impact of their donation has been. The more specific you are, the more engaged your donors will be.
Stories and photos are a great way to engage your donors and make your update more personal. If you have a heartwarming story about your fundraiser, be sure to include it in your update. And if you have any photos of the fundraiser in action, don’t hesitate to share them!
When you’re writing your update, pretend that you’re writing to a friend. Use a personal tone and avoid using jargon or technical terms. For example, instead of saying “We’ve raised $5,000 so far,” say “Wow, we’ve raised $5,000 which is enough money to buy our new adapted car for Timmy!”
Always try to focus on the positive, even if you haven’t hit your goal yet. Let your donors know how close you are and how their support is making a difference.
Don’t forget to say thank you! Thank your donors for their support. Let them know how much their contribution means to you and your cause.
This is the perfect opportunity to ask your donors for their continued support. Include a call to action in your update and let them know how they can help you reach your goal. Again, specify exactly what you need. Whether it’s more donations, volunteers or anything else.
Before you hit send, be sure to proofread your update for any typos or grammatical errors. Nothing will turn off your donors faster than a poorly written update.
An example of the structure of a fundraiser update might be:
Are you struggling to write a fundraiser update? Take a look at these examples for inspiration.
Layla and Hadlee Price recently lost their mother and now need help to get by. Her brother Louie DiPonio started this fundraiser to ease the burden on the family. On 8/16/22, the family posted an update:
“Thank you family, friends and strangers so much for your support! Also to those who have given your support in person. Y’all are truly putting your money where your hearts are and the Price’s are feeling your love lift a burden off of their shoulders. 🙏 We laid Angela to rest yesterday and they will be spending time with each other to continue this process and move forward.”
Robert got injured in an accident and is currently in ICU with a traumatic brain injury. The road to his recovery will be long, difficult, and expensive. Rehabilitation will be the most important step towards regaining a full life.
The fundraiser organizers update the status of Robert almost every day! They give donors a clear idea of where their money is going. They provide updates on the patient’s progress with neurological doctors and surgery recovery.
Updates look like this:
💚Update 9/19 9:22am
“Saw the Neuro doctor again this am and everything is looking good. Because they are doing the tracheotomy and peg tube (for feeding) tomorrow they aren’t going to be doing anything else but keep Robert where he’s at and keep his numbers stable. He’s at full feedings now and is doing really good according to the doctor. Praise God for his healing hands! Your prayers are working!”
💚Update 10/18 9:13pm
“Robert was good all day…not a whole lot of changes…he is having less drainage from his brain and his pressure has been stable…holding strong!”
💚Update 10/17 9:26am
“Robert did really well last night. Talked to the neuro doctor and he’s happy with where Robert is. They’ve adjusted his drain some and they are going to see how he does today and will try to clamp it off tomorrow to see how he tolerates it. No big changes today and he’s in a better place than he was.”
If you don’t know where to start, use this fundraiser update template.
“Hello, friends and family!
Thank you so much for your support. We’ve raised $XXXX so far and are XX% of the way to our goal of $XXXX.
Your donations are helping XXX (e.g. pay for medical bills, send a student to college, etc.). Every contribution brings us one step closer to our goal.
If you haven’t had a chance to donate yet, or can spare anything at all, please consider doing so. Every little bit helps. If you aren’t able to give today it would mean the world if you shared our fundraiser on your social media.
Thank you again for your support. Together, we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Your Name”
Sending regular fundraiser updates is a great way to keep your supporters in the loop and ensure success. Fundraisers that update their supporters every 5 days raise 3X more than those who don’t. Show them that you’re still working hard towards your goal. Donors will appreciate knowing how their money is being used and how it’s helping the cause.
People are more likely to donate if they see that the fundraiser is still active and making progress. You can follow our tips and examples, or even use the fundraiser update template to get started.
AngeLink is a women-powered crowdfunding platform where you can support causes you’re passionate about. If you want to start your own fundraiser, look no further! Whether you’re raising money for medical bills, tuition or a charity, we can help you get started. With our easy-to-use tools, you can start raising money in no time.
