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Home Essential Guide on Fundraising and Donating via GiveTaxFree.org

Have you or someone you know fallen on hard times?

Life can sometimes throw a curveball when we least expect it, whether it is a loss of steady income, sudden illness, property damage … the list goes on.

At GiveTaxFree.org, we believe that when enough kind-hearted people join forces, they can make a difference even in the most complex situations.

If you have never raised or donated money via our platform, this guide includes all you need to know to create or support a cause you care about.

Read on to learn more about our system, the secrets of creating a successful campaign and making donations.

How Our System Works

GiveTaxFree.Org is a unique fundraising website providing benefits for both the recipients and the donors. We hold a special non-profit status granted by the IRS, which means that the funds raised via our site are tax-free, and donors from the USA can deduct their donation from their tax.

This platform serves everyone looking to raise funds for a legitimate need, which we define as something essential to living a healthy life, providing for a family, or staying safe. For example, you can seek help with paying for medical bills, food, housing, rent, home repairs, emergency travel, security, safety and so on.

We can either send the donations to your bank account via Wells Fargo DirectPay or send you a cheque via US Mail on a weekly basis.

If you are a donor, we will email you a tax donation letter after receiving your contribution.

How to Create a Campaign

Givetaxfree.org is a powerful platform that allows individuals and organizations to raise
funds for various causes and projects. Creating a campaign on Givetaxfree is a simple
process that can help you garner support for your fundraising efforts. Follow this step-by-
step tutorial to get started:

Step 1: Go to Givetaxfree.org
Open your web browser and navigate to Givetaxfree.org.

Step 2: Click on Create a Campaign Button
Once you’re on the Givetaxfree, On the Header Menu click on the Create a Campaign button.

Step 3: Login or Register
If you already have a Givetaxfree account, log in using your credentials. If you are not registered yet, click on the "Register" option to create an account.

Step 4: Fill in Your Account Details
If you are a new user, fill in the required information to create your Givetaxfree account. Ensure you provide accurate details for smooth account creation.

Step 5: Follow the Onscreen Guide
After logging in, follow the onscreen instructions to create your campaign. You will be guided through the process step by step.

Step 6: Provide Campaign Information
On the campaign creation page, you’ll need to fill in the following fields:
a. Who are you fundraising for? (Provide a clear and concise description of the cause or individual you are raising funds for.)
b. Goal Amount (Specify the amount of money you aim to raise.)
c. Campaign Category (Choose a relevant category that best describes your campaign.)
d. Upload Featured Image (Add an eye-catching image related to your campaign.)
e. Youtube/Rumble/Vimeo Video URL (optional) (If you have a video that supports your campaign, you can add its URL here.)

Step 7: Fill in Campaign Details
Scroll down on the campaign creation page and fill in the following fields:
a. Campaign Title (Create a compelling and descriptive title for your campaign.)
b. Campaign Details (Provide a detailed explanation of your campaign, including its purpose and how the funds will be utilized.)
c. Checkbox if you are a 501(c)(3) organization (Check this box if your organization has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.)

Step 8: Fill in Payment Details
Enter the payment details that will be used to collect the funds raised through your campaign. Ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date.

Step 9: Submit Your Campaign
Once you’ve completed all the necessary fields, review your campaign details to ensure accuracy. After verifying everything, click on the "Submit Campaign" button to submit your campaign for review.

Step 10: Await Admin Approval
An administrator will review your campaign to ensure it meets the platform’s guidelines. Once approved, your campaign will be made live on Givetaxfree.org. You will receive a confirmation email containing your campaign URL.

Step 11: Share Your Campaign URL

Once your campaign is live, share the provided campaign URL with your friends, family, and social media networks to raise awareness and encourage people to support your cause. Congratulations! You have successfully created a campaign on Givetaxfree.org, and now you can start raising funds for your cause or project. Remember to keep your supporters updated throughout the campaign and express gratitude to those who contribute to your fundraising efforts. Good luck!

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How to Write a Campaign for Success

The success of a crowdfunding campaign largely depends on how well you tell your story.

We know that summarizing a difficult life situation can be complicated. Please be advised to follow the structure below to keep your writing on point.

1. Title

A good title is key to making potential donors stop and read your plea. Therefore, it needs to evoke emotions and sound personal.

Consider the following to determine if your title really works:

How does it make you feel?

Does it tell or hint at your story?

If you saw it, would you be interested in clicking on it?

Here are some examples to help you out.

Ineffective title: Please help with my hospital expenses

Effective title: Kick Cancer to the Curb for [name]

Ineffective title: Need help with paying my rent!

Effective title: Help a single mom keep her job

2. Backstory

Introduce yourself and explain what you are raising money for. If you are running a campaign for someone else, include information about how you know them. Use this space to connect with the reader emotionally. Describe long-term challenges and particularly the turning point when you realized that you (or a person you represent) needed help and could not live under the same circumstances anymore.

3. Needs

Explain which resources are needed to address your problem and why. Remember to include any information about what you have done to help the situation by yourself before asking for help. People are more likely to donate if they can see that you’ve exhausted all your other resources.

4. Costs

Mention specific expenses you need to cover and, if possible, provide proof. This makes donors feel confident that the money will truly be used for the intended purpose. For example, to demonstrate the cost of repairing your car, include a photo of an estimate from a car mechanic.

5. Impact

Ensure that your pitch helps readers understand how their contribution can improve the immediate circumstances of a person who receives the funds. Be transparent, open, and personal. Donors want to see how they can alleviate a strain that’s on the recipient and their loved ones due to the lack of funds.

6. Thank you note

Express your gratitude and make donors feel appreciated to motivate them to spread the word. You can also call for shoutouts via social media, which can help you reach more people who might want to help. To do so, point the readers to the social media sharing buttons located at the bottom of each campaign page.

Ideally, your story should have at least 400 words. In terms of formatting, splitting the text into paragraphs makes it easier to read. As a rule of thumb, a paragraph should have 4-5 sentences.

What Makes a Campaign Successful?

create a campaign for success There are a lot of people who use crowdfunding nowadays so, to make your campaign stand out among the others, we recommend following best practices outlined below.

1. Ensure you have ‘a legitimate need.’

To have your campaign approved for publishing on our platform, we need to see that it is legitimate. You should explain the special circumstances that you are facing and how this impacts your life and why you need help paying the cost associated with the need.

Below are some examples of what we would approve and reject as a legitimate need:

Approved: A purchase of an inexpensive used car to travel to work because public transport is not an option.

Declined: A purchase of a used car even though there is public transport available which could be used instead.

Approved: A purchase of a guide dog as prescribed by your doctor

Declined: A purchase of an animal as a pet

Approved: Raising funds to pay for specific types of treatment related to a particular diagnosis, which are not covered by your insurance, or which your insurance only pays a portion.

Declined: Raising funds to cover medical expenses due to ill health, no diagnosis given

2. Use correct length and formatting

Ideally, your story should have at least 400 words and a maximum of 1000 words. In terms of formatting, splitting the text into paragraphs makes it easier to read. A paragraph should have 4-5 sentences as a rule of thumb.

3. Polish your draft

To make sure your pitch reads well, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is your story clear and concise?
  • Does it sound relatable?
  • Is there anything that could put people off?
  • Does the story create an emotional connection with the reader?
  • Does the story include all key details to paint a complete picture for the reader?

Last but not least, always check your spelling and grammar before you publish! There are many free spelling and grammar checkers that you can use.

4. Share regular updates

Keep your donors and potential donors in the loop on a regular basis. You can update your campaign page with information about:

  • Any changes in your situation or circumstances (for better or worse)
  • How any donations received, have been spent
  • Thank you shoutouts to anyone who has donated or shared your campaign
  • A call for more shares, including the campaign link

5. Ask for help

Having someone to help you can benefit your campaign in several ways. For instance, if your campaign is run on your behalf by a relative or a friend, it makes your cause look more sympathetic. Also, it puts you under less pressure than if you were asking for money personally. Alternatively, if you want to run a campaign yourself, it is useful to get another pair of eyes to read it before publishing.

6. Promote your campaign

 Once your campaign is live, you need to spread the word among as many people as possible. Start by sending the link to the campaign with your family friends and ask them to share it via their social media profiles.

Another option is to create a social media page for your cause and promote it via online communities dedicated to fundraising. Facebook groups are usually the most effective in this regard.

You can also send out an email to your contacts and use an attention-grabbing subject line such as “Can you help me out really quick?” or “Hi [friend’s name], I need a quick favor”. Give your contacts a brief version of the story and include a link to share the campaign via social media or email.

If you are looking to raise a higher amount, consider reaching out to local charities or charitable organizations.

After making some progress, it is useful to contact local media outlets or influencers and provide them with a story about your issue, the progress you’ve made and call for donations.

7. Choose good photos

 Your primary photo should be well-lit and clearly show the beneficiary of the fundraiser (you, your family, or whoever you are raising money for).

In case you wish to include photos in your campaign updates, only use those related to your fundraiser.

If you run a campaign on behalf of someone else, ensure that you use photos that you are allowed to share.

8. Record a campaign video

A video can help you communicate your message quickly and make it more personal.

Also, it is the most effective option to reach a busy audience with a short attention span.

Your video does not need to be complicated. Essentially, you can share a shortened version of your campaign pitch.

To shoot your video, you can use a camera phone and place it into a tripod whilst you speak or have someone hold it for you.

Film horizontally, so the video plays better on YouTube and other platforms.

Avoid bright light on the subject’s faces and make sure you record in a quiet place.

How to Make a Donation

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To donate, follow the link to the campaign of your choice or view all our campaigns to select the one you want to support.

Click the ‘read more’ link under the campaign’s short description to view the related page.

Under ‘Campaign Status’ fill in the sum you want to donate. Leaving a comment is optional but don’t be shy; a kind message can brighten up someone’s day.

Finally, add your email, address, and payment information.

Please note that after donating, you will receive your tax donation letter via email. Also, as a donor, you will never be charged any fees.

How to Update Your Givetaxfree Campaign

Step 1: Access Your Campaign Page
– Navigate to the Givetaxfree.Org and log in to your account.
– Click My Account from the Top Menubar and Select your campaign then click Edit Button
Or,
– Browse your campaign, look for the “Update Campaign” button. It’s usually located on the right sidebar. It will direct you to the campaign editing page where you can make changes to your campaign.

Step 2: Make Your Changes
– On the editing page, you’ll find various fields and sections that you can update. You can modify the campaign title, description, funding goal, campaign images, and any other relevant details.

Step 3: Notify Donors (Optional)
– If you want to inform all your donors about the changes you’ve made, Check the option “Send this update to Donors”.

Step 4: Review Your Changes
– Before finalizing your updates, carefully review all the changes you’ve made to ensure they are accurate and reflect your intentions.

Step 5: Update Payment Options (If Needed)
– If you wish to change your payment options, such as adding or removing accepted payment methods, navigate to the payment settings section on the editing page. Make the necessary adjustments and ensure everything is up to date.

Step 6: Verify Your Identity
– To ensure the security of your campaign, the platform may require you to provide some verification details. This typically includes your Secret Pin and Mother’s Maiden name, or any other relevant information requested by the platform.

Step 7: Click Update Campaign Button
– After double-checking all your changes and verifying your identity, click the Update Campaign button at the bottom of the editing page.

Step 8: Confirmation Pop-up
– If everything went smoothly, you’ll receive a confirmation pop-up indicating that your campaign has been successfully updated.

Congratulations! You have now updated your crowdfunding campaign with the latest changes. Always ensure to keep your donors informed about any significant updates to maintain transparency and trust throughout your campaign.