Online Fundraising

The internet has been heralded as the most useful tool available to fundraisers since it first began to be adopted by fundraising organisations.

Online communications can be used for a variety of means, including campaigning, donor care and fundraising.

Codes of Fundraising Practice

Before delving into the world of online fundraising, it is important to check the standards in the Fundraising through Electronic Media Code of Fundraising Practice. If organisations are taking money through online Fundraising, they should also consider the Handling of Cash and Other Financial Donations Code.

Read the Fundraising through Electronic Media Code of Fundraising Practice.

Reach the Handling of Cash and Other Financial Donations Code of Fundraising Practice.

The Codes set out the law and best practice for a range of fundraising techniques. All of the Codes are available online.

Find out more about the Codes of Fundraising Practice.

Social technology

Social networks and blogs are reported to have overtaken email in terms of popularity. It is therefore inevitable that they are increasingly used by fundraisers and campaigners to engage supporters.

Do you know your RSS feed from your live feed?

The world of blogging and widgets can seem daunting to those unfamiliar with the latest web tools so we have developed a briefing to introduce you to some of the options available.

Read the Social Technology: A Starting Point brieifng.

Online shopping

Fundraising via online shopping can be a free and easy way for your supporters to raise money.

By asking your supporters to buy online via specific websites, you can receive cash donations at no cost to you or your supporters. There are a variety of websites that offer this facility but there are a variety of issues to consider before you enter such a relationship.

The Institute's 'Online shopping' briefing highlights some of these issues and includes some top tips to help ensure fundraising success.

Collecting money online

There are a variety of websites which enable you to collect money online. Some of these sites will incur different costs so it is important to do some research.

You will need to think about whether you want (and have the capability) to facilitate donations on your own website or whether you want to use another website's online giving page.

Security is of upmost importance when processing financial transactions. Your bank should be able to provide further information and also check the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council.