10 Ways Choral Programs Can Prepare for #GivingTuesday and End of Year Fundraising

By Amy Zucchi, Edco (an ACDA partner)

This year, there are two things music lovers are doing: seeing Bohemian Rhapsody at the movies and donating to their favorite music organizations for #GivingTuesday. Now that they’ve seen Bohemian Rhapsody, they’re coming to donate. Are you prepared? #GivingTuesday, the biggest donation day of the year, is happening on November 27 and it can transform the financial capabilities of your music program in 2019 if you prepare.

Here are 10 easy ways to get started in time:

1. Calculate cost – Add up the cost of travel, entrance fees, and music equipment. This is your fundraising goal.
2. Compose a pitch – Like in music, the goal of fundraising is to arouse emotions in the listener. Tell donors what your music program provides and what it can further provide with their help. When donors feel your passion and it becomes their passion, they’ll donate.
3. Put together a team – Find ten or more students. This is the size we found earns the biggest total donations and have the easiest time connecting with donors.
4. Compile a donor list – Family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who came to a show last season should be here. The longer the list, the more donations you’ll receive. Also, ask local businesses. That is the most efficient way to raise big donations. One company sponsorship can be as big as 20 or 30 individual donations.
5. Use technology (like Edco) – Coordinating your team members and keeping a singular donor mega-list is easy with Edco. Plus, you can process credit card donations and withdraw money fast.
6. Look ahead – With a boost from #GivingTuesday, you can keep communication with donors going strong into 2019 and show them how their donations are instantly turning into achievements for the program.
7. Use social media – social networks are the concert halls of fundraising. They give the content creator and audience a place to meet. It’s the least costly way to access large audiences. Plus, it’s fun.  
8. Create a content calendar – Take pictures of your team, add emojis, and tell anecdotes. The more content you post, the easier it is for your audience to feel your passion. These tactics should be organized on a calendar, so you can reach donors with a consistent rhythm.
9. Stay in touch with donors – Unlike the appearance of musical prodigies, #GivingTuesday happens on a regular basis. You will have donors who donate year after year. These people should be considered precious and given thank you notes. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it keeps your music program top-of-mind for donors.
10. Start preparing today – You can set up a #GivingTuesday fundraiser on Edco in minutes (www.ed.co). We have guides that elaborate on everything written here, including pitching local businesses and reaching donors via social media.

#GivingTuesday is an exciting time. Last year, nearly$300 million were donated—imagine how extra funds could help boost your year-end fundraising goals in time for the ACDA National Conference in February. If you have more questions, tweet us at @WeAreEdco. Good luck!