Costs associated with fertility treatment and adoption can be astronomical. For some individuals and families, the financials for starting (or expanding) one's family may become the barrier to actualization. If you find yourself in this position, fundraising may be an excellent solution to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. This month in our private community, we've discussed all things fundraising for fertility treatment and adoption services.
If you have experience fundraising for family-building purposes, we're curious to learn what has (or hasn't) worked for you. We invite you to continue reading to discover assorted fundraising tips and suggestions if you haven't.
Three tips to get you started
Before diving head-first into launching a fundraising campaign, we advise you to create a plan first. This will help lay the foundation for your campaign and keep your efforts focused, authentic, and intentional. Below are three tips.
Tip #1: Share your story and your 'why'
While it can feel scary for some to share something so personal, people connect with stories. Providing insight into your journey can be one of the best ways to bring your audience into the fold and allow them to follow along with you. Try maintaining a journal to track your journey. This will help you keep an inventory of your thoughts, feelings, and motivations and provide a library of content that you can decide to share (or not) with your audience at a later date. GoFundMe shares 12 tips for crafting your fundraiser story here.
Tip #2: Be honest about the financial challenges associated with infertility and adoption processes
Being open and transparent with your audience regarding all the financials surrounding your family-building journey can be a fantastic way to educate your followership and establish buy-in. It may also help you generate support from others in a similar situation.
Tip #3: Keep your audience updated
It may be helpful to share strategies and things you've already done along the path of building your family. This may include things such as accepting another job or taking out loans. Help people understand the impact their support will have, and be sure to keep contributors updated along the way to ensure they remain invested in your journey.
Crowdfunding. Is it right for you?
To keep costs and debts manageable, sometimes we need a little help from our friends. This is where crowdfunding can come in. Not sure what crowdfunding is or how it works? Essentially, it functions on the premise that collecting relatively small amounts from a higher volume of people is more accessible than getting a substantial investment from only a few – a familiar concept for startup businesses. And this strategy can most definitely be leveraged to raise funds for your family-building goals.
How to crowdfund
Set a fundraising goal and timeline to keep you focused.
Establish the platform you want to use – consider the following:
How easy is it to share information online about your campaign (e.g., social media and email)
Are there transaction fees for using the platform
Customer service support
Consider who your audience will be and list them out if possible. This will help you determine how comfortable you are in sharing various aspects of your family-building journey.
Launch your campaign! Below are five platforms that can help:
As we mentioned previously, the key is to connect with potential donors – be open and honest in sharing your story. This can be done through words, videos, photos and across various marketing channels.
Selling goods to raise funds
If fundraising isn't a viable option for you or if you're looking for an alternative strategy to augment your fundraising efforts, selling goods may be a helpful solution. This may look like selling items you already have around the house (and are happy to part ways with). Or if you are creatively talented, perhaps handmade items would be something potential donors are interested in. Either way, platforms, where you can sell these items, would include:
When selling goods, consider the following:
Profit is king. Be sure to take into account all of the costs that go into making an item and/or preparing items for sale. This would include materials, shipping, advertising, cleaning costs, and your time.
Review platform guidelines. If you decide to leverage an established platform to sell your goods, make sure you understand all associated fees and adjust your prices accordingly to ensure profitability.
Taxes. In some cases, you may be responsible for paying taxes on the items you sell online. If you sell items on platforms like eBay and make at least $600 for the year, you'll receive a 1099-K form with that income and will be required to report it on your taxes.
Safety. If you are meeting buyers in person, exercise caution. Meet in a public place and let someone else know where you're going, who you're meeting, and when they should expect you.
What's your bottom line? Think carefully about the time, money, stress, and other demands selling goods may take on you. Be sure the outcomes or profits are worth the effort you are putting in.
Want even more tips, tricks, and community support for fundraising ideas for fertility treatment and adoption services? Then, consider joining our free private network!
Note: Sweet Pea does not explicitly or implicitly endorse or guarantee any websites or services listed above. We encourage you to carefully conduct your research and decide what best works for your unique situation.
Comentários