Is door-to-door fundraising still relevant?

Especially in the wake of the pandemic, it has felt a little like anything that we do face-to-face has been left back in 2020. However, that’s not the case, especially when it comes to fundraising.

This is an activity where the human connection is vitally important and where real progress can be made. For example, donors who give face-to-face give 10 times more than those who donate through other channels.

Like any skill, it’s how you master door-to-door fundraising that really counts – here are our tips.

5 Tips for Door-To-Door Fundraising

1. Make sure you’re knocking on the right doors –

   The first step in successful door-to-door fundraising is always going to be ensuring that you’re aiming at the right audience and speaking to the right people. Ideally you are looking for supporters who can afford to donate for at least 5-10 years.

2. Don’t launch straight into the ask –

   It’s a great idea to take a little time to try to establish a rapport with people before you start asking for donations. The simplest way to do this is to provide some context. For example, sharing information about your charity, any relevant personal experiences, and the stories that you feel might be important to help people engage. This ‘warm up’ can create a much more receptive audience when you make a donation request.

3. Listen more than you talk –

   When it comes to fundraising the mistake that many people make in the door-to-door context is to talk non-stop. This means that your potential donor is being hit with a wave of information and sound that they may not appreciate. A better approach is to share some information and then ask some key questions. Listen to the answers you get, rather than just waiting for an opportunity to speak again. Look out for the keywords and phrases that align with your objectives and story so you can reference these when the conversation continues. And it should be a conversation – rather than a monologue.

4. Take a problem-solving approach –

   Many charities are dealing with hard and depressing facts every day. While these are incredibly real and relevant, they don’t tend to inspire people to donate. What works effectively is to focus on the solutions your organisation is creating to solve the biggest problems. So, for example, rather than focusing on poverty statistics or information about loneliness in the elderly, share how your charity is creating solutions – where any money donated would help.

5. Give someone insight into where they can make a difference –

   Most of us get excited by a potential opportunity to make a difference so this should be a key focus in door-to-door fundraising. How can you illustrate this on a personal level – or show the experiences of other donors?

Door-to-door fundraising isn’t rocket science but approaching it like this will significantly improve your chances of success.

Thinking of becoming a Wesser Charity Fundraiser?

Being a charity fundraiser for Wesser is prosperous. It offers the chance to make a positive impact, provides training and flexibility, and fosters a supportive community.

Apply now for a door-to-door fundraising role here.