Creating a fundraising campaign that successfully raises funds for someone in need starts with crafting a compelling crowdfunding story. Your story is the foundation upon which you can build an emotional connection with potential supporters and inspire them to donate to your cause.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of 10 essential elements to consider when writing a powerful online appeal.
Get inspiration from skilled storytellers
Before penning your story, take some time to explore successful fundraisers and their stories. Look for examples of courageous storytelling that moved you to tears, touched your heart, or left you feeling inspired. Reflect on the specific aspects of these stories that resonate with you and consider how you can incorporate similar elements into your own narrative.
The title of your fundraiser is the first introduction to your campaign. It holds immense power as it draws attention to your plight and can encourage potential donors to visit your campaign page. Will you choose a lighthearted approach to grab attention or an emotive one to tug at heartstrings? Whatever you choose, make sure to include the name of your beneficiary and highlight their specific need for fundraising.
Introduce your beneficiary
Begin your crowdfunding story by introducing the person or people you are fundraising for. Who are they? What is their name, age, and where do they come from? It’s important to provide some meaningful backgroundinformation about the focal point of your campaign and why they are in need of help. Are they battling a medical condition, facing financial hardship, or have they been presented with an exciting opportunity?
As the storyteller, what is your personal relationship to the beneficiary or the cause? Sharing your personal connection can help build trust and credibility with potential supporters, and allow them to better empathize with your cause.
Nickey Seger launched her ‘Power of a Promise’ campaign to cover Nellie Khuzwayo’s final year of private school, which she paid out of her pocket for 9 years. Introducing Nellie, and the wonderful young lady she had grown up to become, Nickey reached her target, and had funds left over to send Nellie to Nursing school.
What lead you to crowdfunding?
Capture the defining moment that motivated you to start your crowdfunding campaign. What specific event or circumstance sparked your decision to seek support from others? Whether it was a personal experience, financial hardship, or sudden crisis, express it in a clear and captivating sentence or two. This will give your story context and provide potential donors with a deeper understanding of the situation, and how the needs, which your crowdfunding campaign hopes to address, came to be.
Your funding needs
It’s crucial to clearly define the need or challenge that you’re raising funds for. Provide specific details about how the issue is affecting the person in need, so potential supporters can understand the gravity and urgency of the situation. To help donors relate to your cause communicate the needs in a tangible way, providing a breakdown of costs where possible.
The Impact of your campaign
It’s important to clearly communicate the positive impact donations will have if the campaign is successful. This could include specific goals you hope to achieve or the positive changes that will occur in the beneficiary’s life. Donors contribute to causes because they are hopeful and empathetic individuals that want to be a part of the solution and know in their hearts that have made a meaningful difference.
Naledi Thahanyane, who lives in a children’s home in Johannesburg, was only 4-years-old when doctors discovered she needed Life-saving heart surgery to save her life. With donors understanding the clear impact of their donations, little Naledi was able to have her surgery and celebrates full-health today.
Call to action
Encourage potential supporters to donate to your cause and share your campaign with their networks to help reach a wider audience. Reiterate your gratitude and remind donors of the impact they will help to create for your beneficiary. Additionally include links to your social media channels where donors can receive regular updates on the progress of the campaign.
Editing
It’s important to take the time to edit and refine your message before sharing it with potential supporters. Keep your message short and concise, no longer than 200-500 words, and use paragraphs and comfortable spacing to separate your ideas. To highlight important information, consider bolding, underlining, or italicizing key phrases or words.
It’s also important to maintain a friendly and conversational tone throughout your campaign message. Don’t be afraid to inject some personality into your story, as it will put donors at ease and encourage them to support you on your fundraising journey.
Before sharing your campaign, be sure to do a quick spelling and grammar check. Consider asking someone you trust to proofread your story for you, as they may be able to catch errors or provide valuable feedback.
Visual Storytelling
Incorporating visual elements such as images, infographics and videos into your crowdfunding story can make your appeal more compelling to donors, as it brings the cause to life and adds a sense of reliability to your cause.
Studies indicate that fundraisers with a video tend to raise 4X more funds than those without, as it can build an emotional connection with potential supporters, increase credibility, and make it easier to convey complex information. When selecting visuals for your campaign, ensure that they are high-quality and relevant to the story you are sharing.
Sean Clarke, a Para-athlete from Johannesburg, provides a great example of an effective crowdfunding video. In his campaign to raise funds for James, a teenager in need of a prosthetic leg, Sean created a short yet impactful video introducing James and his life-long struggles.
Updates & Milestones
To keep your supporters engaged and invested in your crowdfunding campaign, it’s essential to provide regular updates. Let your donors know when you reach important milestones and express your appreciation for their continued support. Share the impact that contributions have made, so that donors may see the measurable difference they have created. Regular updates not only build trust but also motivate continued support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, crafting a crowdfunding story is more than a mere appeal for donation it’s about creating a heart-to-heart connection with potential donors.
Showcase the real people behind their struggles and their dreams. Demonstrate the impact funds will have on your beneficiary and be transparent about how funds will be used.
By bravely sharing your story with authenticity and vulnerability, you can inspire others to join your cause and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
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Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R400 Million.
In a world often defined by chaos and uncertainty, Trinity Van Beeck, a 16-year-old teenager from Brackenfell, carries a heart brimming with empathy and a burning desire to make a difference.
Trinity, a dedicated student at Curro Durbanville High School, currently in Grade 10, and an active member of the Cape Town Junior City Council, is on a mission to bring about significant change in her community by providing ‘Blessing Bags’ to those who need them the most.
Pictured above: Trinity Van Beeck
Trinity’s story is not merely a tale of academic achievements and her passion for chess; it’s a narrative of compassion, empathy, and unwavering determination. She’s the driving force behind “Horizons of Hope,” a project dedicated to delivering essential hygiene kits to the homeless individuals of Cape Town.
In South Africa, the issue of homelessness has reached alarming proportions, leaving countless individuals and families without stable shelter. For them, access to basic hygiene products often remains an unattainable dream, exacerbating the challenges they face in their daily lives. Trinity recognized this crisis and took it upon herself to take action.
“Horizons of Hope” stands as Trinity’s response to the pressing issue of homelessness. She passionately expresses,
“It is no secret that homelessness in South Africa has reached unprecedented levels. Despite our country’s rich cultural diversity and vast economic potential, we are also confronted with the daunting challenge of homelessness. A substantial portion of our population grapples with the harsh realities of living without a stable shelter. For these individuals and their families, obtaining access to basic hygiene products often proves to be an impossible task, further intensifying the challenges that most of us can’t even begin to imagine. ‘Horizons of Hope’ is my response to this pressing issue and the dire need for support within the homeless community. Our mission is clear: To provide essential hygiene kits to the most vulnerable members of our society.”
Each Blessing Bag, with a cost ranging between R100 and R110, contains items like toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes, facecloths, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, lotion, and soap. While these may seem like everyday items to many of us, they can make a world of difference to those who lack access to them.
To finance her “Horizons of Hope” campaign, Trinity initiated a crowdfunding effort on BackaBuddy with a goal of raising R11,000 to purchase 110 bags. She has made significant progress, having raised over R3400 already, thanks to the generosity of 10 donors.
Trinity’s journey toward making a difference commenced at an exceptionally young age. Her mother, Marisa Laas, lovingly recalls,
“At only 3 years old, Trinity asked me to make a list of things she needed to give to ‘the poor people,’ this included a car, purple paint for their houses, and toys for the children. She has always been a beautiful empathetic soul with a heart for those less fortunate than herself. I am so proud to be a bystander in her journey through life.”
Pictured above: Trinity and her mom, Marisa
Trinity’s compassionate spirit and unwavering determination are truly inspiring as she strives to bring about positive change in the lives of the homeless in her community.
At the age of 12, Trinity displayed her benevolence by raising over R40,000 on BackaBuddy to assist her 11-year-old chess prodigy friend, Amahle Zenzile, from Crossroads in Cape Town, to travel to Namibia and participate in the African Youth Chess Tournament.
Trinity’s mission serves as a poignant reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can ignite a wave of positive change. She is indeed a beacon of hope in her community.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R420 Million.
In 2006, the Santa Shoebox Project began with a modest 180 shoeboxes in Cape Town, South Africa. Over the past 17 years, it has blossomed into an annual tradition of generosity and kindness, amassing an astonishing 1,152,587 shoebox donations. This heartwarming initiative now touches the lives of over 1,000 recipient facilities annually, employing a network of more than 60 satellites across South Africa and Namibia.
Image: Santa Shoebox Project Website
At the heart of the Santa Shoebox Project’s remarkable success is its deeply personal touch. Donors lovingly contribute essential items and delightful treats to children whose names, ages, and genders are known. These shoeboxes consist of a minimum of eight items, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a washcloth, sweets, a toy, school supplies, and a new, age-appropriate outfit of clothing.
The project’s enduring success is also due to the dedication of a vast network of volunteers who selflessly donate their time, energy, and expertise without financial compensation. Additionally, it relies on the generous support of corporate sponsors who provide monetary and pro bono assistance.
Image: Santa Shoebox Project Website
Launching a Crowdfunding Campaign to Create Holiday Magic
To ensure that the magic of the holiday season reaches even more underprivileged children, the Santa Shoebox Project has initiated a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. The campaign aims to raise R100,000 to create as many Virtual Santa Shoeboxes as possible.
The Virtual Santa Shoeboxes (VSS) are a new addition to the project, assembled by devoted teams of volunteers. These boxes are then distributed to underprivileged children living in remote areas of South Africa, where access to holiday gifts is limited. The VSS contains the same eight essential items, which bring smiles and warmth to the young faces they reach.
Image: Santa Shoebox Project Website
In addition to the essentials, the VSS may include additional sponsored items like books and teen hygiene products. These shoeboxes are meticulously packaged, delivered, and personally handed to the beneficiary child, making the experience all the more heartfelt and meaningful.
The Impact of Your Gift
Even if your purchase arrives after the current campaign’s allocations and deliveries, rest assured that your Virtual Santa Shoebox will be carried over to the following year, ensuring that it ultimately reaches a child in need. Beyond the joy these boxes bring, your support helps sustain this vital project, allowing it to continue uplifting and empowering underprivileged children throughout South Africa and Namibia.
How You Can Help
You can be a part of this holiday magic by sponsoring a Virtual Santa Shoebox for just R450. Join the Santa Shoebox Project in making this holiday season brighter for children in need. Purchase your Virtual Santa Shoebox today and experience the joy of giving.
If you are a South African resident and would like a tax-deductible receipt for your donation, please send your request to [email protected] with proof of your donation attached to your email.
It’s worth noting that BackaBuddy offers all registered non-profits raising funds on the platform a 0% platform fee, ensuring that more of your funds directly benefit charities and their beneficiaries.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R420 Million.
In May 2022, William Sheepskin, a 27-year-old photographer from Sea Point, Cape Town, faced a life-altering diagnosis: testicular cancer. This unexpected medical journey not only tested his physical strength but also posed financial challenges that threatened to eclipse his dreams and future plans.
Image: William Sheepskin and his partner, Maya Sarembock
Maya, William’s partner of six years, a 25-year-old student pursuing a Master’s in Architecture at the University of Cape Town, shared her perspective on the daunting moment of diagnosis, saying, “There is never a good time for a cancer diagnosis. But Will’s career was gaining momentum, and I had just begun my postgraduate studies in architecture at UCT. It’s quite something to be twenty-five and twenty-seven, smacked in the face with urgent existential thoughts: What does OUR future look like? Do we want kids? Should we freeze sperm? Is Will going to die?”
Despite the emotional turmoil, William remained resilient as he prepared for a Radical Inguinal Orchiectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a testicle. However, the emotional blow struck when their fertility doctor revealed that due to cancer, William was likely permanently infertile. Their only option for future parenthood would be in vitro fertilization, a procedure they could only consider years later due to the lingering effects of chemotherapy.
Image: William and his family
The biopsy results confirmed the tumor’s malignancy, leading to a two-month recovery period after surgery. William then embarked on a course of carboplatin chemotherapy to minimize the risk of cancer spreading to vital organs. While the treatment marked a significant milestone, it was only the beginning of a tumultuous journey.
Three days after chemotherapy, William resumed remote work, determined to press on despite the challenges. Cancer didn’t deter his work ethic; it only made life more expensive. The financial strain, coupled with physical fatigue, burnout, and anxiety, continued to take a toll on his well-being. He often pushed himself to work long hours, only to face weeks of bedridden repercussions.
This cycle endured for a year, during which time William’s savings steadily diminished while he grappled with mounting medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Image: William and Maya
Amidst the challenges of dealing with what they often humorously referred to as this “ball-ache of a disease,” Maya highlighted their shared coping mechanism. She explained, “A cancer journey is an immense burden, and humor has been our way of lightening it. We’ve found that making light of the situation is a strategy that Will and I tend to turn to. People inquire about your well-being, and you respond with, ‘Yeah, everything is fine!’ even as you strive to convince yourself that it’s true.”
Determined to ease their financial burden and support William’s return to photography, Maya launched a crowdfunding campaign on Backabuddy. The campaign aimed to raise funds for medical bills, four more years of medical tests and check-ups, CT scans, fertility storage, and essential supplements that had become too expensive to maintain.
Maya’s heartfelt plea to help her partner recover read, “Most of all, I want my strong, creative, and passionate Will to enjoy his craft and offer him the time to find his footing again to make a living from his lens. I miss this Will.”
The response was overwhelming. Within a month, the campaign received support from over 1000 donors, surpassing the initial target of R140,000.00 and raising over R232,481.53. The outpouring of generosity not only alleviated financial stress but also brought renewed hope and determination to Will and Maya as they faced the ongoing challenges of his cancer journey.
Image: William Sheepskin
Maya expressed her gratitude, saying, “The support has meant that all of the stress associated with the financial burden of having cancer and going through the process of treating it has been alleviated. It also dramatically reduced the stress of being out of work for an extended period of time. Will was always tired and becoming extremely burnt out since he never had a chance to just reflect on what he’d been going through, and the BackaBuddy campaign has allowed him to start living on his own terms again instead of making decisions informed by the weight of illness.”
Now Will has been able to start taking on jobs that focus on progressing his career, rather than merely securing money. It no longer feels like cancer completely changed the way he had to make decisions about life. It’s been such a relief to see him come out of the place he was in as a result of the illness. The fundraiser was far more successful than they could ever have hoped for.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R420 Million.
In the midst of continued violence that has gripped the region of Israel and Gaza since October 7, a silver lining emerges as humanitarian efforts bring hope to those affected by the ongoing crisis.
Image: The Gift of the Givers
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with tens of thousands of individuals facing severe food, water, fuel, and medical supply shortages. In these challenging times, ordinary people and organizations are stepping forward to provide crucial humanitarian assistance.
A Ray of Hope
The Gift of the Givers, a renowned humanitarian organization, with a strong presence in Gaza, has mobilized its resources to support local hospitals grappling with a critical shortage of medical supplies.
Through the launch of their own crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, and with the invaluable assistance of two dedicated volunteers—Ruqaiyah Peer, a 24-year-old optometrist from East London, and Aaliya Kader, a 10-year-old girl from Johannesburg—The Gift of the Givers has successfully amassed over R250,000 on BackaBuddy, to deliver essential aid to those in dire need in Gaza. https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/groups/Help-Gaza
Image: The Gift of the Givers
Ruqaiyah Peer passionately underscores the urgency of the situation, stating, “Our fellow Palestinian brothers and sisters are in dire need of emergency shelter, sustenance, and medical provisions. Collaborating with The Gift of the Givers, we can make a significant impact in assisting them.”
The ongoing violence has strained healthcare facilities to their limits. Gift of the Givers has taken a multi-pronged approach, including procuring medical supplies, medicines, and wheelchairs for injured individuals. Additionally, they are funding the purchase of fuel for ambulances, which have been deliberately targeted in the conflict.
Dr. Imitaz Sooliman, the founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, remains hopeful for a ceasefire, stating, “We believe that there are no winners in war and there are no losers in peace. We wish not to see children in pain and mothers losing children and loved ones.”
A Beacon of Hope Amidst the Crisis
While the conflict takes a toll on the lives of many, the outpouring of compassion and generosity from individuals and organizations alike serves as a poignant reminder that humanity can shine even in the darkest of times.
Gift of the Givers Foundation, the largest disaster relief organization of African origin on the continent, has delivered over R5 billion in aid to 42 countries worldwide, including South Africa.
Press release for immediate distribution: For more information, please contact Ali Sablay – 082 651 4195- [email protected]
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R420 Million.
Image: Santa Shoebox Project Website
