New Nonprofit Finds Winning Mobile Fundraising Formula

A new nonprofit based in Columbus, OH, used Givelify for mobile fundraising to take in over $3,200 in just a few hours at their first fundraising event.

One of Our Own is a 501(c)3 managed by a committee of Ricart Automotive Group leaders and employees. Its aim is to help provide non-recurring, short term financial assistance to employees in the event of unexpected events such as major medical expenses. Nominations are considered by the committee and are kept confidential. Donations come from employees, family, and friends, and the company provides a 50% match.

“Our charter is to help employees who might need it, to help them get back on their feet,” said chief financial officer Rob Caruthers.

“We’ve identified five or six households we may potentially help yet this year. The group is going to gather to figure out the needs and merits associated with helping them out,” Caruthers said.

The idea for the organization was presented to company leadership by an employee in the Human Resources department. As they searched for a giving solution, a member of senior management suggested Givelify after seeing a Givelithon in action at a church fundraising event.

Engagement and Promotion Keys To Success

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Ricart Automotive used their company Christmas party to introduce the program to around 800 attendees. One of the owners announced that donations would be accepted through the Givelify mobile giving app as well as on their website. They used large video screens in the event space to show a Givelithon so attendees could see donations made in real time.

“The Givelithon helped donations gain momentum and feed on themselves,” Caruthers said.

The company will also send out follow-up communication to employees and others who attended the event reminding them that they can still get their donations in to help families before year’s end.

A Winning Mobile Fundraising Formula

One of Our Own demonstrated right from their first fundraising event how to engage donors and incite them to give. By demonstrably endorsing the platform, senior leadership showed their trust in Givelify and let all those in attendance know how they could help right then and there.

Showing the Givelithon and letting donors see the results of their generosity in real time and the subsequent reminder emails were critical to extending fundraising beyond the date and location of the event itself. According to Caruthers, donations continued to roll in from both the mobile giving app and online giving widget since the event.

Want to learn more about how Givelify can help your organization meet and even exceed its fundraising goals? Get in touch.