Written by:
Anoushka Pinto
Fundraising has come a long way over the years. Its evolution mirrors the broader shifts in communication technology. From ancient communal efforts to modern digital strategies, fundraising has continually adapted to the times. Early methods focused on physical presence and personal engagement, but as technology advanced, so did the ways we raise money.
Nowadays, with the internet at our fingertips, fundraising has seamlessly integrated into the digital age. Websites and social media not only facilitate donations, but they also enable storytellers to showcase their impact, connect emotionally with supporters, and garner widespread backing with just a few clicks.
What is traditional fundraising?
A time-honoured practice, traditional fundraising involves gathering financial support for a cause through established methods. Think back to those bake sales with the tempting aroma of homemade treats, or art auctions where you could support a good cause while acquiring a new art-piece to liven up your home. These are prime examples of traditional fundraising in action.
Traditional fundraisers have a rich history of success, relying on events, campaigns, and community activities to garner support and donations. Personal connections and face-to-face interactions are pivotal in this approach. Methods comprise direct mail campaigns, fundraising events, grant applications, and even personal solicitations, which have been fundamental to charity fundraising for many years.
What is crowdfunding (online fundraising)?
Crowdfunding or online fundraising leverages the internet’s reach and efficiency. Instead of traditional methods like flyers and local events, crowdfunding harnesses the power of digital platforms to connect with a global audience. It uses social media and online channels to spread campaigns and gather small donations from a wide audience. It is effective for various causes, from medical causes to social initiatives, though it requires ongoing promotion and updates to maintain momentum.
Platforms like Milaap provide dedicated spaces where individuals can set up fundraising campaigns with ease, and supporters can donate with a few clicks. These platforms offer built-in tools to track progress, engage with donors, and monitor campaign success in real-time.
Need help raising funds for a personal or social cause?
Milaap - India’s largest crowdfunding platform
Milaap is a prime example of how crowdfunding can bring about significant change in the world of philanthropy. The platform serves as a bridge, linking individuals and organisations with a global network of donors who are passionate about supporting a wide range of causes. Whether it’s financing medical treatments, educational scholarships, or community development projects, Milaap leverages the convenience and extensive reach of online platforms to make fundraising accessible and impactful. By merging technology with genuine human compassion, Milaap enables campaign organisers to share compelling narratives, highlight tangible outcomes, and secure vital support from across the globe, turning dreams into reality.
You can read more about Milaap, and choosing the right platform for your crowdfunding needs, here. Want to take a deep dive into Milaap’s transparency and security measures? Click here.
Pros and cons of traditional fundraising methods
When it comes to fundraising, traditional methods offer both unique benefits and challenges compared to modern digital approaches like crowdfunding and online campaigns.
Pros
Making a big impact
Conventional fundraising relies on personal connections to nurture deeper relationships with donors. Face-to-face interactions often lead to larger and more meaningful contributions, driven by emotional bonds and the impact of witnessing others give generously. Donors value the opportunity to connect directly with the cause and its organisers, leading to word-of-mouth referrals and peer influence.
Engaging and memorable donor experiences
The atmosphere of traditional fundraising events, such as bake sales, community fairs, and charity auctions, creates memorable experiences for donors. Donors get to interact firsthand with organisers and beneficiaries, strengthening their commitment to the cause and leaving a lasting impression.
Building trust
Time-honoured methods establish strong, trust-based relationships with donors, especially major contributors. The familiarity and structured approach of traditional fundraising make it simpler to oversee and monitor progress.
Community involvement and support networks
Traditional fundraising events foster unity and a shared purpose, bringing people together for a common cause. These events not only raise funds but also cultivate support networks and ignite new collaborations within the community.
Versatile approaches
From walk-a-thons to virtual galas and direct mail campaigns, traditional fundraising offers diverse formats, enabling nonprofits to engage donors in multiple ways throughout the year.
Grants and sponsorship opportunities
Conventional fundraising often encompasses opportunities for grants and sponsorships, providing additional channels for financial assistance.
Need help raising funds for a personal or social cause?
Cons
High costs and resource requirements
Organising events, printing materials, and managing logistics can be costly, reducing the efficiency of fundraising efforts, diverting funds from the cause itself. Events and campaigns often require additional resources such as venues, auction items, and food, contributing to the overall costs and effort.
Time and effort demands
Planning and executing traditional fundraising activities demand significant time and effort, often requiring months of preparation.
Limited audience reach
Traditional methods may be constrained by geography, limiting the donor base to local communities and missing out on a wider audience.
Difficulty in measuring impact
Traditional fundraising methods lack tools for tracking and measuring impact effectively, unlike online campaigns that offer real-time analytics and insights. This can make it challenging to assess the success and reach of fundraising efforts accurately.
Pros and cons of online fundraising
Crowdfunding platforms, like Milaap, have transformed fundraising by blending traditional methods with online fundraising, offering robust tools to bolster efforts, crucial for modern charities.
Pros
Ease of campaign set-up
Crowdfunding requires minimal setup. Select a platform, set a realistic goal, create your campaign, and start receiving donations. Sharing your campaign through social media and networking can quickly spread the word. With Milaap, you can set up your fundraiser effortlessly, in 3 simple steps. A dedicated Relationship Manager (RM) is always around to address all your fundraising needs.
Diversity in causes
Crowdfunding can be utilised for various causes, whether it’s for medical expenses, memorials, education or charitable endeavours. Fundraising can be pursued individually or on behalf of an organisation. Milaap enables you to raise funds for any cause, including medical expenses, memorials, community projects, education, social entrepreneurship, and rural development, free of cost.
Broad reach
The internet knows no bounds, allowing your campaign to connect with potential donors across different cities, countries, and even continents. By tailoring your message through targeted marketing, you can attract individuals who genuinely resonate with your cause, thereby increasing your likelihood of success. Milaap’s donors come from a wide range of countries, regions, backgrounds, and life experiences, reflecting a diverse community of compassionate individuals.
Cost-effectiveness
Online fundraising eliminates the need for expensive event spaces and printed materials. This means you can launch a compelling campaign at minimal to no cost, making it particularly advantageous for smaller organisations or individuals working within budget constraints. Milaap is a free fundraising platform for all, which means 0% platform fee, and prioritises secure donor information, fostering trust and confidence among supporters.
Enhanced awareness and social media integration
Your fundraising campaign page serves as a storytelling hub, utilising visuals, videos, and heartfelt narratives to engage your audience, as people connect deeply with stories. Integrating your campaign with social media can amplify its impact, enabling it to reach a wider audience. Milaap offers user-friendly features for sharing fundraisers on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, helping you maximise exposure to your network.
Accumulation of small donations
Crowdfunding does not rely solely on large donations. Small contributions from numerous individuals can accumulate significantly. Continuous promotion can ensure a steady flow of funds.
Transparency
Fundraising platforms provide clear and comprehensive overviews of your campaign, showing donors exactly where their contributions are utilised. Real-time progress updates foster trust and encourage further contributions. Milaap’s internal Trust and Verification team conduct thorough investigations on every campaign, leaving no detail unchecked, to ensure they are fully legitimate and adhere closely to the platform’s guidelines.
Security
Online platforms ensure funds remain secure, employing rigorous safety measures to protect donors and fundraisers alike. Milaap prioritises the confidentiality of your information. You can rely on the platform to safeguard your details, with state-of-the-art encryption technology to ensure the security of your funds.
Customer support
Fundraising platforms offer various support options, including email, live chat, phone support, and online help centres. They often provide onboarding support to assist users in setting up their campaigns and navigating the platform effectively. Milaap’s expert support is at your service, whenever you need.
Customer support
Fundraising platforms offer various support options, including email, live chat, phone support, and online help centres. They often provide onboarding support to assist users in setting up their campaigns and navigating the platform effectively. Milaap’s expert support is at your service, whenever you need.
Need help raising funds for a personal or social cause?
Cons
Platform restrictions
Certain platforms impose specific rules and restrictions on campaigns, potentially limiting their reach and impact. Common issues include additional fees, limited social media integration, and complex payment processes.
Set up fees and “all or nothing” models
Many platforms impose setup fees and may disburse funds only if the goal is met. This sense of urgency can drive donations but also adds pressure.
Limited personal connection
Online fundraising can make it challenging to establish strong relationships with donors due to the absence of personal interaction, thereby making it more difficult to convey the sincerity of your cause.
Uncertain fundraising outcomes
The prevalence of crowdfunding means numerous campaigns are vying for attention, making it more challenging to stand out.There’s no guarantee of reaching your fundraising goal, particularly with several competing campaigns. Understanding how crowdfunding platforms operate can aid in better strategising.
Limited control
Fundraising through a platform entails less control over your campaign’s marketing. Acquiring knowledge on how to promote your campaign on social media can provide a greater degree of control.
Time constraints
Crowdfunding campaigns typically have a predefined time frame, which can be challenging if it’s too short to reach your goal. Proper planning can help maximise the available time.
Credibility concerns
Online fundraising may raise credibility issues. Choosing a reputable platform, clearly explaining your cause, and providing additional resources can help build trust.
Dependence on technology
Success heavily relies on digital tools and platforms, which can pose a barrier for individuals and some organisations who may lack the tools and knowledge.
Why choose Milaap as your go-to platform for crowdfunding?
Easy-to-use platform
Milaap simplifies the fundraising process with its user-friendly platform. Campaign setup is a breeze, requiring just 3 simple steps to create a clear and compelling description of the cause and fundraising goal.
No platform fee
Milaap does not charge a platform fee, ensuring that every donation directly supports the cause
Quick donation process
The platform offers various payment options, including cards, UPI, QR codes, net banking, and bank transfers, making it easy for donors to contribute to causes that resonate with them.
Fraud protection
The platform prioritises fraud protection, offering a 100% refund to donors in the rare event of fraudulent activity, fostering trust and accountability for both organisers and donors.
Responsive support
Milaap provides responsive support through its dedicated User Engagement team, ensuring a smooth and transparent experience for organizers and donors alike.
Data security
The platform takes data security seriously, keeping personal information confidential and employing top-of-the-line 256-bit SSL encryption for secure donations.
All-in-one mobile app
Milaap's comprehensive mobile app allows users to manage campaigns, track progress, and engage with supporters on the go.
Milaap Impact
4.89L
Total number of fundraisers on Milaap
₹2,149 Cr+
Total funds raised across all fundraisers on Milaap
60 L+
Total number of donors who have donated to causes on Milaap
Total number of fundraisers
2.5L+
Medical causes
2,246
Memorial causes
8,693
Community causes
2.2L+
Other causes
Total funds raised
₹1,477 Cr+
Medical causes
₹76 Cr+
Memorial causes
₹189 Cr+
Community causes
₹403 Cr+
Other causes
Looking to raise funds for a medical emergency, community project, or any other cause? Milaap is the perfect fundraising partner for you. With its user-friendly platform, zero platform fees, strong fraud protection, responsive support, and top-notch data security, Milaap ensures a smooth, transparent, and secure fundraising process. Start a fundraiser on Milaap today!
Success stories on Milaap
In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.
Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.
Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.
For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.
