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February 26, 2009
A "Twestival" approach to Lottie and Annie special offerings
More than 200 cities recently participated in a Twestival designed to raise $250k in less than 24 hours for adequate drinking water in underdeveloped countries.
Was it successful? Yes. And something else happened that no one expected: Twitter became a proven platform to organize people who in turn generated a sizable sum of money for one corporate goal.
So what happens at a Twestival? People who use Twitter, the wildly popular microblogging site that is absolutely FREE to sign up and use, gathered together for a special fundraising event that had a lineup of speakers, performers, music and other community-building activities--all those things that are native to a live fundraising event. Only the twist is that these people were invited via Twitter and "twitted" about the event as they particiapted.
You may be a social media doubter. That's fine. But you can't argue with the results.
I began thinking about two special funds that Southern Baptists use to accomplish mission work in North America and around the world: Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. What if we used a "Twestival" platform to reignite the conversation about these two causes and to organize groups of people all around the world to raise money for these special offerings just like we have traditionally done through local churches.
Would you be open to a more grassroots approach to these special offerings?
Posted by bstroup at February 26, 2009 8:22 AM
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Comments
Ben,
I do think this is something that bears probing into. It might result in what I call a "small ask." "Small asks," (you have to be careful how you say that) can generate small gifts but IF you can multiply the amount of gifts it could add up. Ultimate long term success for any fund raising is consistency and frankly large gifts. However this could be a way to tap into funds that no one has thought of. Good post!
Posted by: Mark Brooks at February 27, 2009 9:25 AM
Mark, Great thoughts, as always. I do think every fundraising effort must employ as many channels for giving as possible. Major gifts will always be a part of any effort. My desire is to help pastors and church leaders realize the potential that lies within the larger base of almost any church or organization who give nothing or very little. If just a percentage of that group begins to given even a small amount consistently, it could make a huge difference and relieve the pressure of major gifts which could be hard to come by--especially in our current economy.
Blessings, Ben.
Posted by: Ben Stroup 
at March 2, 2009 9:27 AM