There are lots of ways you can raise funds for your group using the distributed fundraising program to support your group’s work! This resource will help you with some key logistical information, some ideas to raise funds, and some considerations around restrictions.
The logistics:
- You can accept donations to your distributed fundraising account in two ways
- Via your group’s unique ActBlue page. View information here about how you can edit the page’s content and see donor information.
- Via check (more info here)
Ways to fundraise:
The main piece of advice when it comes to fundraising is to keep it simple. As an organizer, you already have the skills that you need to fundraise. You consistently ask people to act on your shared values. Giving funds is just one other way that folks can act on their values, in addition to joining rallies or other action items. The main way that you can raise funds is to just ask! Let folks know what types of things your group needs funds for, what type of impact your group can make, and then ask for support. Groups are often surprised at the donations they receive just from simply asking the folks they’re already connected with to give.
By far the most common and effective way that groups in the program fundraise is digitally.
- Include your donation page URL on your group's website as a “donate’ button
- Include your donation page URL on your group’s social media pages. Make a specific post or two asking for folks to support the group’s work financially. You can also make sure the link to your donation page is pinned to the top of your social media page, or in the page description.
- Include your donation page URL in your group’s emails out to your supporters. This can be either as a “donate” button at the bottom of your usual emails, or by sending a specific fundraising email.
- Share your donation page URL at any Zoom or digital meetings with your group members or community.
There are lots of tools to help with digital fundraising here under “General Fundraising Toolkits & Guides”.
Another common way to fundraise is in person at events where your group and community are already present.
- Print your donation page QR code and share it at your monthly in-person meetings
- Print your donation page QR code and share it at special events or rallies
- Hold a house party where you invite folks to attend and learn more about your group’s work, then ask them to give. There are lots of tools to help with house parties here under “General Fundraising Toolkits & Guides”.
Considerations & Restrictions:
There are some legal and compliance considerations to keep in mind when fundraising.
Fundraising language:
- Ideally, your donation page and fundraising asks are specific about what your group does and give some level of detail, but are not so detailed or time-specific that you’ll be legally restricting the donation.
- Be sure not to ask for support for any work that is not allowed within the distributed fundraising program.
- See more information here.
- It’s not permitted to accept donations from political parties and their leaders, candidates for office, or corporations. See more information here.
- We cannot accept cash donations directly. See more specific information about cash donations here.
- It’s not permitted to sell items or event tickets via your distributed fundraising account. See more specific guidance here.
- It’s not permitted to conduct raffles or hold auctions to fundraise through the distributed fundraising program.
- All donations over $200 are reportable to the FEC. See more information here.
- In some cases it is possible to receive a grant via the distributed fundraising program but there are specific considerations to keep in mind. See more information here.