The keys to a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign

Have you ever considered using the power of crowdfunding for nonprofits in your fundraising strategy? Crowdfunding, rapidly gaining popularity among the younger generation of donors, is definitely on the top 3 list of charity fundraising ideas! Not sure how to plan and launch your crowdfunding campaign? Get inspired by the story of the Louvre Museum, which managed to raise millions!

How The Louvre uses online fundraising platform to acquire & restore masterpieces

In 2010 when , the Louvre Museum launched its first crowdfunding fundraising campaign entitled Tous mécènes ! for the acquisition of a national treasure, Les Trois Grâces by Lucas Cranach. Since then, the Louvre Museum organizes an annual campaign to raise funds and online donations for the acquisition or restoration of a masterpiece. Thanks to a dedicated donation page and the generosity of more than 20,000 donors, their fundraising efforts ended by raising several million euros. Several million euros were raised thanks to the generosity of more than 20,000 donors.

In an increasingly competitive environment, where crowdfunding campaigns are becoming more and more common, there are a few essential factors to keep in mind for yours to stand out from the crowd.

6 key points for launching your own crowdfunding campaign

In an increasingly competitive environment, where crowdfunding campaigns are becoming more and more common, there are a few essential factors to keep in mind for yours to stand out from the crowd.

1. Prepare

Before launching a crowdfunding campaign, it is important to put in place a team dedicated to the organization of the project that addresses the major components of the campaign: how to position the project? What are its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats? How long should the campaign last? What is the fundraising goal? What is the corresponding communication plan? Who is the target? What are the rewards for donors? What is the budget?

2. Tell Your Story

Once these questions have been asked, the challenge will be to tell the story surrounding this project, in order to engage & reach as many potential donors as possible.

The most successful All Patrons! crowdfunding campaign was the acquisition of François the 1st’s Book of Hours: 1.5 million euros were raised in four months thanks to the support of more than 9,000 donors, who were touched by the return of this national treasure to France, which had remained in England for more than four centuries.

3. Communicate & Animate

Once the narrative has been defined, it is essential to set up a long term communication plan to promote the project throughout the campaign. Depending on the team size and financial resources available, press releases, media planning, newsletters, social media, partnerships, events, special operations can be considered. For instance, a mini video game called #GoFrançoisGo was used to promote the campaign with several thousand registered participants.

4. Mobilise supporters

It is important to mobilise the inner & most engaged donor circle (first circle), which will itself become an ambassador for the campaign and mobilise its friends and family (the second circle). A crowdfunding campaign meets or exceeds its objectives when the outermost circle (third circle) is also engaged. The Tous Mécènes! campaigns report from one campaign to the next, about 50% of loyal donors, because the Louvre Museum particularly nurtures the relationship it has with this first circle of donors through newsletters, goodies, preview ads and so on.

5.Thank your supporters

It is obviously crucial to thank donors by delivering the rewards announced at the beginning of the campaign, so as to avoid creating any dissatisfaction. This is all the more important if we want to mobilise these donors again for future projects. Don't forget about your major donors. This is a good time to honour them for their generosity and support.

6. Innovate

Finally, being innovative from one campaign to another is essential for the sustainability of online fundraising campaigns. For example, the introduction of new, more reliable, flexible and modern payment methods creates an environment of trust with donors and encourages the act of giving.

In 2016, the launch of iRaiser’s online payment form boosted the number of donations made online. 10% of donors who used to make their donation by cheque switched to a credit card donation.

These 6 tips are based on the experience iRaiser has accumulated with the Louvre Museum, the Fondation du Patrimoine, the Centre des Monuments Nationaux and many others. Click here to find out more about iRaiser's crowdfunding platform for cultural organizations.