December is the most generous month of the year. People take stock, think of those who have been less fortunate and, often, remember that donations to recognised charitable organisations can be deducted from their taxes. If your association wants to raise funds, October and November are the time to get ready.
Week 1: set a concrete goal
“Raising funds” is not a goal. “Raising CHF 3’000.- for new kits for the junior team” is. A precise number and a clear purpose let you share progress (“we’re halfway there!”) and give donors the feeling that they are contributing to something that will be finished.
Week 2: prepare the story and the form
The story
A real photo, three sentences, a face. Who benefits from the appeal? What changes for them? Avoid press-release language: write the way you would talk to a friend.
The form
Donors need to be able to give in under a minute, from their phone. A donation form with TWINT, cards and wallets, suggested amounts and a monthly option. With 1pay.ch you can create one in a few minutes, and you don’t need a website.
Tip
Link the amounts to concrete things: CHF 30.- = a ball, CHF 80.- = a kit, CHF 250.- = the tournament entry. The donor chooses a “piece” of the project.
Week 3: the message calendar
One message is not enough. A simple sequence that works:
- Launch (early December): the story and the goal.
- Update (mid-December): where you are, with a thank-you to the first donors.
- Last call (27-30 December): “only a few days left, will you help us reach the goal?”
Use every channel you have: newsletter, the members’ WhatsApp group, social media, the website. And take the form’s QR code to your December events: the Christmas dinner, the market, the match.
Week 4: prepare your thank-yous
A quick, personal thank-you is worth more than any gift. Prepare a message in advance to send within 48 hours of each donation, and a final update in January with the result. People who feel thanked give again the following year.
Shall we prepare your campaign together?
Call or message us: we will help you set up the form, the suggested amounts and the QR code for your December events.
Phone +41 91 857 47 37 · WhatsApp +41 79 857 47 37 · info@1pay.ch
What online fundraising costs
On the 1pay.ch Starter plan there is no monthly fee: you only pay a fee on the donations you receive. If your December appeal is a big one, you can switch on the Nonprofit plan for the busy months only, to lower the fees when it pays off.
Set up the form today
Sign up free and create your donation form in 5 minutes. If you need a hand, we are here to help.
