Fundraising Idea: Ask for donations in lieu of birthday gifts

Fundraising comes in all shapes and sizes. One effective way to fundraise is to ask for donations to the nonprofit you’re currently supporting in lieu of your upcoming birthday gifts. This strategy can be applied to any various other gift giving events, but your birthday is one of the most sentimental and is bound to tug at your network’s heart strings. The personal connection and selfless sacrifice of one’s birthday is a great way to give back.

It’s best to start fundraising a few months prior to your birthday to get the ball rolling. First and foremost, give your FirstGiving fundraising page a catchy title, as Benjamin did for his 28th birthday. Include your reason for giving up your birthday, a picture or two, and even a video if you’re feeling ambitious. Add some supplemental information on the nonprofit of your choice for those who are interested. Once your page is up and running, email a link to your friends and family, inviting them to donate to your page. Don’t forget to reach out to your social media network as well. Keep your donors updated about your fundraising total up until the big day and then do one last push.

Here are some great examples of FirstGiving fundraisers who have given up their birthday gifts for donations:

Syndey Rubinstein’s Birthday

Bella and Tessa’s 11th birthday Project

Happy First Birthday Ali

As your mother always told you, don’t forget to say thank you to all your donors. And don’t worry about those donations you receive in person on the big day. You can input all your offline donations to be included into your fundraising page total.

Give up your birthday and start fundraising today.


If your birthday has past, here are some other gift giving events that may be coming up in your life:
 

  • Graduations
  • Anniversaries
  • Religious holidays
  • Wedding engagements

 

 

Photo Courtesy asenat29 2006