Planning fraternity or sorority fundraisers can feel like a major undertaking, especially when you throw classes, work, and busy schedules into the mix.
Luckily, we live in a digital age where using the right fundraising platform can make a world of difference. In this article, we’re here to help you navigate the world of sorority and fraternity fundraising with CauseVox. We’ll show you some ways you can use our platform to its fullest potential, sharing success stories from Greek organizations just like yours.
1. Fundraise for a New Fraternity or Sorority House
Are you daydreaming about the day when your chapter can have a stunning new house? You know, a place that reflects who you are, where lifelong memories will be made, and where your bond as brothers and sisters will grow even stronger.
But let’s face it, turning that dream into reality takes more than just wishful thinking. It takes careful planning, determination, and, of course, the funds to make it happen. Whether you’re aiming to raise money for a brand new house or to spruce up your current one, you need a solid plan. That’s where a capital campaign comes in. Don’t worry, it might sound fancy, but it’s just a smart way to organize your fundraising efforts for a large scale project.
Create Teams of Different Pledge Classes
Now, let’s talk about a secret ingredient that can make your capital campaign soar: the power of friendly competition within your own ranks. By creating teams based on different pledge classes, you can tap into the natural camaraderie and rivalry that exists within your chapter. Each team can have its own dedicated fundraising page, allowing them to track their progress, share updates, and vye for the top spot.
(Pi Kappa Alpha at Tennessee Tech teamed up for the ‘Celebrating Our Past. Building Our Future.’ Campaign)
Giving Levels
When it comes to your capital campaign, creating giving levels is a game-changer. These levels provide a clear structure for donors to understand how their contributions make a difference and encourage them to give at a level that feels meaningful to them. It’s a way to inspire generosity, acknowledge your donors, and foster healthy competition among your members. You can even give the levels names that are related to your fraternity or sorority’s traditions, symbols, and history, as illustrated below.
(Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Giving Levels for the ‘Building for the Next 100 Years’ Capital Campaign at the University of Washington)
Pledges
Finally, pledges play a crucial role in fraternity or sorority fundraisers but especially for a capital campaign. No, not those pledges, I’m talking about financial pledges.
Financial pledges (not to be confused with your potential new members) provide long-term financial planning. They demonstrate a tangible show of support and motivation to other donors, and allow contributions to be spread out over time.
Take a look at the capital campaign by Phi Mu at the University of Mississippi, where they have incentivized pledges by breaking down contributions into manageable amounts. For instance, by pledging just $42 a month over a five-year period, you can have your name proudly displayed on the donor plaque.
Similar to Phi Mu’s Alpha Delta chapter, by utilizing CauseVox as your digital fundraising platform, you can effectively manage and recognize financial pledges, ensuring a successful campaign that brings your chapter’s home away from home to life.
2. Sell Tickets to An Event
Now that we’ve covered the basics of capital campaigns, let’s explore another way to raise funds: selling tickets to incredible events.
One popular event that has taken the Greek community by storm is the lip sync battle. Picture this: your brothers or sisters showcasing their hidden talents, mastering choreography, and bringing the house down with their unforgettable performances. By selling tickets and rounding up some sponsors to this epic showdown, you can not only create an unforgettable experience for attendees but also raise funds to support your chapter’s initiatives.
But let’s not stop there. Date parties are another fantastic opportunity to bring together your fraternity or sorority members and their dates for a night of fun. These events not only provide a memorable experience but can also serve as a fundraising opportunity through ticket sales.
CauseVox’s event ticketing platform simplifies the ticketing and registration process, saving you time and effort. You can customize ticket prices, set discount codes, and even collect additional information from purchasers, such as their pledge year or preferred event preferences. This flexibility allows you to tailor the event experience to the specific interests of your Greek community.
3. Get Your Members Involved
Remember, fundraising is a group effort! The best way to get your members actively involved is through a method called peer-to-peer fundraising.
Peer-to-peer fundraising is all about tapping into the power of your members’ personal networks and connections. It’s a fantastic way to amplify your impact and reach a wider audience, all while spreading enthusiasm and camaraderie. One example that perfectly captures the spirit of peer-to-peer fundraising is a dance marathon. This high-energy event unites current members, alumni, and other student organizations for a common goal: raising funds and awareness for a great cause.
(United in Dance: Cardinal O’Hara High School’s Dance Marathon has been a force of fundraising since 2015, rallying support for local organizations and honoring the memory of the late Danny Hammond, a beloved former student.)
The beauty of a Dance Marathon is its relatability. It’s an event that combines the joy of dancing, the power of friendship, and the drive to create positive change. It’s not just about raising funds; it’s about coming together as a community, creating memories, and leaving a lasting impact.
4. Fundraise Year Round
To sustain the financial well-being of your sorority or fraternity, it’s crucial to maintain ongoing fundraising initiatives. CauseVox offers a dedicated donation page that allows you to accept donations year-round. Here’s how you can leverage this feature:
Alumni Giving
Tap into the loyalty and support of your alumni network by promoting an alumni giving campaign. These fraternity and sorority fundraisers encourage alumni to contribute towards the growth and success of your chapter.
Scholarship Fund
Establish a scholarship fund within your fraternity or sorority to support members’ academic pursuits. With CauseVox, you can showcase the impact of these scholarships and provide donors with the opportunity to contribute specifically to this cause. Highlight success stories of previous recipients to inspire continued support.
5. Host a Crowdfunding Campaign for Your Philanthropy
If you’re not a fan of events, it’s not the only path to successful fraternity and sorority fundraisers.
Crowdfunding is a powerful strategy that allows you to engage your network and beyond without the need for traditional events. It’s a convenient and impactful way to rally support for your chapter. The 2023 Phi Sigma Kappa campaign in honor of Jeanne Clery is an example of the potential of crowdfunding in action.
The Phi Sigma Kappa chapter at Lehigh University embarked on a crowdfunding campaign to honor the memory of Jeanne Clery and advocate for campus safety. They recognized that crowdfunding offered a unique opportunity to leverage the power of social media to generate widespread support and raise funds for a meaningful cause.
Through their crowdfunding campaign, the Phi Sigma Kappa brothers created a compelling appeal by sharing Jeanne Clery’s story, highlighting her legacy and the need for improved safety measures on college campuses.
Features to Use on CauseVox to Maximize the Success of Fraternity or Sorority Fundraisers
To take your campaign to the next level, CauseVox offers a range of powerful features tailored to fraternity and sorority fundraisers. Let’s explore how these features can amplify your revenue generating efforts:
Custom Branding
Personalize your campaign pages with your sorority or fraternity’s letters, crest, and colors. This not only creates a cohesive identity but also reinforces brand recognition among members and alumni, as well as potential donors and supporters.
Donation Tiers
Create a sense of progression and encourage larger contributions by offering donation tiers or levels with associated benefits. This approach incentivizes donors to give more while feeling appreciated for their generosity.
Automated Receipts
CauseVox automatically generates and sends donation receipts to donors. This feature saves you time and ensures compliance with tax regulations. Also, your donors will appreciate the prompt and professional acknowledgment for their contribution.
Custom Fields
Depending on the fundraiser, you may want to give the donor an option to include additional information, like their pledge class year. This personalized touch enhances the connection with your supporters and reinforces the sense of community within your chapter.
Unlock the Power of Digital Fundraising
Get started using CauseVox for your fraternity or sorority fundraiser today and experience the transformative power of digital fundraising. Together, we can create lasting impact and leave a meaningful legacy for future generations.
