Is there a platform to help non-profits recruit fundraising ambassadors?

Doina Oncel Founder/CEO at hEr VOLUTION

January 24th, 2015

I am looking for a platform that can help a non-profit (me) to recruit fundraising ambassadors where they will get their unique link to send out to their network asking to donate money (a one time give or a monthly donation). This link will help me track to donations raised by all ambassadors to know who raised the most so that they will be rewarded accordingly. Any suggestions?

Michelle Chaplin Database Expert and Marketing Professional

January 25th, 2015

Do you have an existing CRM that you use to track donations? If so, you may want to look into peer-to-peer fundraising platforms that connect directly with your CRM. Team Raiser is a good, robust choice. Friend Raiser (I think that's what it's called) is also good, but these have a bigger upfront cost. Both systems will connect to salesforce, and Friend Raiser is a Blackbaud product. Salsa Labs also has a peer-to-peer solution, but I'm not familiar with it.

If you want something with no upfront cost, then I recommend crowdrise, which just charges per transaction, but there will be crowdrise branding everywhere rather than just your brand. They may have a white label option for additional $$.

Rob G

January 24th, 2015

how sophisticated do you need this solution to be? I'm assuming you have already researched this and are coming up short. You could start with something as simple as a landing page on KickoffLabs and utilize their referral form/widget which will show you who is referring new signups, but it will not track $$ - you'd have to do that manually (in a spreadsheet), but you'd be up and running in a few hours. Full disclosure, i have no particular affiliation with KOL, but we do use their product.

Marshall MSCS Planning, Strategy Operating/Business Model Analysis IT Process Definition, Design, Software Programming, Management

January 24th, 2015

I am a financal analyst and programmer. I have done this kind of application many times. It depends on the details. You can get solutions for free if you are starting out and later scale at low cost if you puck the right first solution. The right choice now will save you much in account CPA and reporting costs. Normally your CFO will know exactly what you need. You might do well to consider your CFO not just CPA or bookkeeper. The right choice will the immediate success of your enterprise. The key here is to understand you core skills and to find others to compliment you. The first job in every company is to generate sales. With sales contributions or income tracking or projections are not important.

Frank Gullo

January 24th, 2015

Doina, I've used YouCaring.com for an online auction/event in the fall. See http://www.youcaring.com/ and http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/c4-and-date-on-purpose-charity-blast-tony-/230056. Depending on your specific needs, this platform or something similar might work for you.

Andrew Lockley

January 24th, 2015

Bit.ly

Andrew Buerger Co-Founder at B'more Organic

January 25th, 2015

We just started using https://www.crowdrise.com. So far so good. We've used others in the past like Active.com which is more for athletic events. Crowdrise has been very responsive via email and extremely helpful in getting things us set up. Let me know if you need an introduction.

Arlen MBA Co-Founder,President and CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs at ceo@sopenet.net

January 25th, 2015

The Society of Physician Entrepreneurs Foundation uses www.razoo.com and we solicit additional support during international chapter meetings.

Gary Lefkowitz Technology Marketing & Business Development Executive

January 25th, 2015

There's a startup based in San Francisco that you should connect with. Its called CommitChange. They've developed a platform specifically geared to the needs of non profit organizations. Both Tim Draper and Mark Cuban are investors. www.commitchange.com

Jim Fletcher Director at BitLit

January 25th, 2015

The ChangeHeroes.com platform is designed to do exactly what you describe.

Anthony Miller

January 25th, 2015

I may be a bit biased but I worked with an amazing tech startup GiveGab last year. Helping them launch some premium services and mobile app. Check them out they just rolled out features for fundraising and already have recruitment for ambassadors, logging hours, and keeping volunteers on task.