At BackaBuddy, we understand that reaching out for assistance, regardless of the cause, can be a vulnerable process. Whether you’re facing medical challenges, educational expenses, a community project, or any other personal goal, we’re here to support you.
To make your fundraising journey easier, we’ve created easy-to-use templates for campaign creators like you to help you share your campaign and encourage donations.
Starting Your Campaign and Seeking Initial Donations
EASY-TO-USE TEMPLATE
Hi [Insert name],
I have something important to share with you.
I’ve just launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to raise funds for [insert reason why you’re fundraising], and I hope you will consider being one of my very first donors.
I have set my fundraising target at [insert fundraising target], which will allow me to [insert how funds will be used/the positive impact of donations].
Your contribution, no matter the amount, would mean the world to me.
If you’re able and willing to lend your support to my fundraiser, kindly click on my BackaBuddy link: [Insert link to your BackaBuddy campaign].
You can also support me by sharing my story on your social media or with your contacts, to help me reach more people who may be able to help.
Thank you,
[Insert your name]
Reach Out to Your Immediate Circle First
To kickstart your crowdfunding journey and secure vital initial support, begin by connecting with your inner circle of close friends and family. They are more likely to stand by your side, regardless of the cause, due to their trust and personal connection to you. Through their supportive donation messages, they can give your campaign momentum and provide social proof, making it more appealing to potential donors who may hesitate to be the first to contribute.
Remember to keep your message personal, concise, and let your unique personality shine through. Kindly ask your friends, family, and social media followers to support your cause and share it on your behalf to help you reach your fundraising target.
Picture above: Portrait drawn by 11-year-old Earth-shaker, Romario Valentine
Every year on International Mandela Day (18th of July), we celebrate not only the birth of Tata Madiba but his 67-year commitment to social justice and servant leadership.
On this day, we come together to honor our diverse nation and respond to a global call for action, harnessing our collective power to positively shape the world around us.
What can I do on Mandela Day?
Mandela Day encourages individuals to take action and make a positive impact on their communities and the world.
Here are some things you can do on Mandela Day:
Raise funds to support your local community
Set up a campaign on South Africa’s largest crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy to raise funds and assist a person or community in need. Click here to register your cause.
Here are some ideas of things you can fundraise for on Mandela Day.
Raise funds to purchase digital food vouchers for families affected by the lockdown.
Raise funds to help restaurant staff support their families.
Raise funds to make ‘care kits’ (including a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, face cloth, etc.) for patients at a nearby government hospital.
Raise funds to feed and clothe the homeless.
Raise funds to keep the light on for a non-profit organisation.
Raise funds to help non-governmental schools pay their teachers salaries.
Raise funds to purchase children’s books for an under-resourced school.
Raise funds to support a charity on BackaBuddy
On BackaBuddy, members of the public are invited to raise funds for various charities across South Africa by setting up their own fundraising campaigns.
You can initiate or contribute to fundraising campaigns supporting medical fees, education, environmental conservation, and more.
Here are a few Mandela day crowdfunding campaigns in need of support.
Support Matthew Sledge this Mandela Day
Matthew Sledge, a 51-year-old individual residing in Kensington, Johannesburg, undertook a remarkable endeavor in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He participated in the Mandela Day Houghton 10km run wearing nothing but a speedo, all with the aim of raising funds for the foundation. Sledge’s ultimate goal was to assist the foundation’s ongoing initiatives in education and empowerment. His unconventional approach to fundraising garnered the attention of onlookers and served as an inspiration for them to contribute to the cause. In total, Sledge managed to raise over R32,000, a significant stride towards his R50,000 target.
Support Matthew by donating to his BackaBuddy campaign.
Support Amoya this Mandela Day
Amoyo’s Mandela Day campaign aims to raise awareness about their mission of empowering children to build a better South Africa. This year, their fundraising efforts focus on purchasing solar lights for 10 matric students affected by load-shedding, and organizing a live show for their 150 beneficiaries to showcase their talents. The funds will also cover rehearsal expenses, facilitators, costumes, sound and lighting freelancers, and a nutritional feeding program.
Support Amoya by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue this Mandela Day
Estrela Studio aims to support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and finding loving homes for Staffordshire Terriers. Join them this Mandela Day in raising funds and spreading awareness to make a significant difference in the lives of these deserving animals. Your donation will enable Staffordshire Terrier Rescue to provide necessary care, medical attention, and rehabilitation services, transforming the lives of these dogs and contributing to a brighter future for them.
Support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Learn more about setting up a crowdfunding campaign here or email [email protected].
Donate to a charity or cause you’re passionate about
Looking for a crowdfunding cause to donate to on Mandela day? Visit our Featured Campaigns article for a few campaigns that have been highlighted on the Backabuddy Impact Village as well as in media publications across South Africa this week.
Volunteer your time
Visit BackaBuddy’s Facebook page, and share a crowdfunding campaign that inspires you and encourage your family and friends to make a donation.
Support the South African National Blood Service by donating blood at a centre near you.
However you decide to celebrate your 67 minutes on Mandela Day, make an effort to inspire and care for your fellow South Africans. Together we can make a world of difference. It takes a village.
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 raised over R260 Million.
When faced with a challenging medical diagnosis families often aren’t prepared for the financial burden placed on them at the most vulnerable time in their lives.
For this reason, many South Africans are turning to crowdfunding to raise the funds for a loved one in need of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and the purchase of medication and medical equipment.
Crowdfunding is the practice of fundraising online by setting up a project to receive many small donations from a number of individuals through the use of social media and the press.
Through emotive storytelling, images and video content, campaign creators are able to present their cause to the public to help reach their specified fundraising target.
As long as you have an earnest medical need that can be validated by a doctor or health practitioner, you can raise funds on BackaBuddy.
What can you raise funds for?
Over 49800 individuals have successfully crowdfunded on BackaBuddy to cover the cost of their Cancer Treatment, Cystic Fibrosis treatment, Bone Marrow Transplants, Kidney Dialysis, Heart surgery, Liver transplant, Cochlear implants and Wheelchairs.
Friends seeking to support a family in distress often launch crowdfunding campaigns to assist with expenses such as living costs, transportation, and other necessities during a catastrophic medical diagnosis.
Getting started
Get started with your crowdfunding campaign by sending us your story, funding needs and references by completing this form.
If you aren’t sure how to go about your campaign, please contact [email protected] and our team will guide you and walk alongside you.
Once your campaign is set up, you will have a shareable link that you can share on your social media, the press and most importantly, with family and friends, who can help you spread the word and donate to your cause.
Medical campaigns that captured our hearts
Thus far BackaBuddy has raised over R385 Million to support worthy causes in South Africa.
Take a look at a few of the medical campaigns on BackaBuddy that touched the hearts of donors both locally and abroad.
A Bone Marrow Transplant for Aaron
Aaron Lipschitz (7) from Sea Point, Cape Town, is the first child in South Africa to be diagnosed with Interleukin-12 Receptor Defect, a rare genetic condition that affects the immune system.
The only way for Aaron to overcome his recurrent infections and survive this condition was to have a bone marrow transplant, which successfully took place in August 2018.
When Salon owner Mandy Lottering from Pietermaritzburg was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in 2017, she set up a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy with the support of her friend, Angela.
Penning an emotional open letter to supporters, Mandy reminded herself that she is many things, a mother, a wife, a cheerleader, and a friend, but she is not her cancer.
Thankfully with the support of her community, Mandy is now in remission and still counts her blessings every day.
The Lottering Family. From Left to Right: Savannah, Jarrod, Juan & Mandy
Heart surgery for Naledi
When Naledi Thahanyane (4) from Johannesburg was 6 months old she was put in the care of Juno Aurora Haven, a home for abused and neglected children in Sandton.
When Naledi was taken to a paediatrician for a regular checkup three years ago, it was discovered that she had a heart defect, a growth just below the left aorta.
Without funds to cover the cost of Naledi’s operation, medication, medical supplies, sterilisation equipment as well as a home nurse, a campaign was launched on BackaBuddy.
Thankfully, Naledi’s surgery was funded and she remains in stellar health.
After failing her hearing test, doctors discovered that Neabe Barrett was born deaf. With the family’s medical aid covering a portion of the funds needed to fit Neave with a cochlear implant, a campaign was launched to cover the additional funds needed.
Thankfully, Neave raised the funds she needed and her cochlear implants were switched on in early 2017. It was such a special moment.
Aidan Maddocks from Pietermaritzburg was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia at birth, a childhood liver disease that only affects 1 in 10,000–15,000 live births.
After receiving a Kasai Operation at Albert Luthuli Hospital when he was only 3 years old, Doctors told Aiden that he would need a liver transplant in the next decade.
When the day arrived, Aiden’s family set up a BackaBuddy campaign to cover the costs of his treatment when his donor’s liver arrived.
Ubuko Mpotulo, from East London, was diagnosed with Meningococcal Septicaemia, a condition where bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels. He was only 10 years old.
At the age of 3 years old, Ubuko underwent a Bi-Lateral Amputation and finger amputation, when the lining of his blood vessels became damaged and obstructed his narrow arteries and eventually cutting off his blood supply. He was soon fitted with prosthetics and adjusted to his ‘new normal’ very quickly.
To support Ubuko with his ongoing medical costs, as his prosthetic sockets will need to be refitted and changed at least 14 to 16 times until he stops growing, 7 Round Tablers from East London dedicated the 70.3 Ironman challenge to raise funds for the young man on BackaBuddy.
Ellané Burger from Wellington, Western Cape was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Disabling Pansclorotic Morphea, when she was only 8 years old. The condition affects the skin, nerves and muscles making it difficult to jump, run, walk short distances or even stand still.
To give Ellané a new lease on life, her parents set up a campaign on BackaBuddy to raise funds for a specialized wheelchair that has broadened her horizons,
If you have arrived on this page, you may need help finding your donors before setting up your first crowdfunding campaign.
Where can I find my donors?
1. Reach out to family and friends first.
The first people who donate to your campaign are very important.
The public tends to support campaigns if they can see that a number of people have already teamed up behind the cause.
Just as no one wants to be the first person on the dancefloor, a campaign with donors is more inviting, creates a sense of community, shows the campaign is active and is more likely to reach its target.
People who don’t know you personally, also trust campaigns more readily if they can see your loved ones have vouched for your cause, by means of donating or through affectionate comments.
Based on our research, if family or friends are the ones who contribute to a campaign first, we have found that they are likely to raise 220% more funds.
2. Reach out to your wider network
Once you have gotten support from loved ones, it’s time to reach out to more people you know.
Let your extended family, neighbours, co-workers, social groups, church, school or university friends and local community know about your campaign.
With the initial support you would have received, your wider network acts as an amplifier of sorts, spreading your campaign to more people and building on your first donations.
3. Social Media
Campaigns with initial support that are shared on social media, tend to raise 5 times more funds.
When introducing your campaign on social media, it is best to include a friendly photo, a video talking about your fundraiser, and a short description that lets readers know exactly what your need is and how funds could positively impact you or your beneficiary.
4. Reach out to your local radio station, newspaper or influencers
If your campaign has started raising funds, you have shared it on social media, then it is a great idea to reach out to your local media houses, to see if they would like to write about your story or share it on the airways.
Think about the media publications you are familiar with, visit the contact us section on their website, and send a message to introduce yourself and your cause.
Do you have any questions?
The BackaBuddy team is here to help guide you throughout your crowdfunding journey.
We understand that raising funds for a cause can be difficult and sometimes intimidating, which is why our team has put together our best advice for a successful crowdfunding campaign.
If you have any questions throughout your journey, please reach out to us, and we will be happy to guide you.
Your first donations and getting started:
Send your campaign to family and friends first with a short, personal message via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or email.
Here’s why:
Campaigns with initial support from loved ones creates trust in your campaign, and can help you raise 220% more funds.
Instant messages are also typically read within the first 3 seconds, which increases your chances of getting support for your cause in the beginning phase.
For sharing templates and advice on getting started, click here.
Avoid sharing your campaign to a wide audience with no funds raised.
Here’s why:
Just like no one wants to be the first person on the dancefloor, donors in the wider community usually wait until a campaign has a few contributions before lending their support – especially if they don’t know you personally.
Raise more funds
Fine tune your campaign message: Your campaign message should be simple, short, but emotive. The person reading it should know exactly who you are, where you are from, what your funding needs are and the impact donations will have on your life. Read more.
Tell your story with a short video: Create a 1-2 minute video with your cell phone that introduces yourself and your cause. This video can be loaded to your campaign via a YouTube link, if you don’t have an account, send us the clip and we will upload it for you! Read more.
FACT: Campaigns with videos tend to raise about 4 times more funds.
Reach out to a wider audience on social media: Sharing your campaign on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagramand beyond will allow more people to see and share your campaign. We recommend waiting until you have at least 3 or 4 donations before sharing your campaign on social platforms.
FACT: Social Media can increase your campaign’s likelihood of success by 5 times
Haven’t received any funds yet? Try this:
Reach out to more people in your network: Have you contacted your extended family, neighbours, co-workers, social groups to support your cause? Have you shared your campaign on social media or contacted your local newspaper or radio station?
Interact with the online community: Depending on which social media platform you are most familiar with, share your campaign to different groups and forums in your area or that relate to your cause.
Share campaign updates: Post about your campaign more often on social media, through sharing updates, thanking your donors and sharing your fundraising milestones. You can also ask your BackaBuddy campaign manager to send an update to your donors.
If you missed our introduction to crowdfunding and still need to create a campaign, please click through to this guide.
In this article, we will discuss the first steps in your crowdfunding campaign after you have signed-up. We will guide you through receiving your first donations, how to find your network and touch on the power of social media in fundraising online.
Getting started – Your First donation
Just like no one likes to be the first person on the dance floor, the members of the public typically support causes once they have a few initial donations from the beneficiaries family and friends .
We have also found through data research that campaigns with initial support from family and friends also tend to raise 220% more funds than those who don’t.
This is because your first donors, in a way, vet your campaign. They let others know that you are a trusted person, and that your campaign is for a reasonable request because they know you or have interacted with you at some point in your life.
How to communicate with close family and friends:
Accompany your BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign link with a short personalized message to introduce your fundraiser. We recommend sending a Whatsapp, Facebook message, email or SMS to close family and friends, extended family, neighbours, co-workers, social groups or sportsclub to get started.
See this example of a message you could send:
“Hi Monique, I hope you are well!
I have created a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to feed 100 families in Pietermaritzburg who are unable to provide for their families during the lockdown.
We have so far raised R 15 000 towards our fundraising target! Funds raisedwill be used to purchase digital food vouchers for those in need.
Please support us by making a small donation on BackaBuddy.
If you’re unable to contribute, please be so kind as to share our campaign with your friends and loved ones.
Did you know? 98% of WhatsApp messages are both opened and read within the first 3 seconds. – Hoodsuite .
Now that you have shared your campaign with those closest to you, such as your friends and family and hopefully, if you were able to, donated to your own campaign, it’s time to reach out to your wider network.
Finding your network
You will find in your crowdfunding journey, that most of your donors will be people you know. This is because your friends and family know you well, they know your character, your lifestyle and they have a personal connection with you in some way.
This is not to say that the public can’t be generous in their support of worthy causes.
Who makes up your network?
Close family and friends.
Extended family, neighbours, co-workers, social groups, sportsclub
Social media followers and friends (Facebook/Whatsapp/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Snapchat).
School/University friends
Your local community, church and the wider public.
Local Media (Local paper, radio stations, pubic forums)
Sharing your crowdfunding campaign on Social Media
Crowdfunding campaigns are 5 times more likely to succeed if shared on social media. Take a look at our social media guides to reach your wider network:
Every week the BackaBuddy team showcases a few campaigns to share on social media. When posting about your campaign, please mention us:
@BackaBuddy on Twitter and Instagram
@BackaBuddySA on Facebook
Snapscan
Lastly, ask your campaign manager to create a Snapscan code for your campaign for an additional donation option.
BackaBuddy has partnered with Snapscan to generate unique snapscan QR codes for each crowdfunding campaign on the platform. Once scanned, donors will be able to donate to your campaign easily via the unique code. These are also great to add to your campaign, print on posters or share on social media.
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 R390 Million.
Raise funds for an individual or cause.
Register your non-profit organisation.
Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.
