Passing the hat around for a friend who’s doing it tough is an extraordinary act of friendship. So how do you do it efficiently and in a way that others feel good about too? And how do you focus your energy on raising money, not keeping track. We’ve put together some tips to make it work well.

Make it easy

Fundraising for a friend is easy with www.GroupTogether.com.

• It’s easy to set up – 5 minutes. Step by step.
• Friends can contribute online from their phone and add a message to the card from in a minute from anywhere in the world.
• Grouptogether sends reminders till people respond yes or now and keeps track for you.
• When the collection finishes (on the date the organiser chooses), GroupTogether transfers the money collected to any account in Australia – whether it’s your friend or to you.

Make it feel good for contributors

• The most successful campaigns happen when people understand the problem and know how their money will help.
• Be as clear as you can about how the money will be used.

GroupTogether group card

Make it personal

• Friends can write a personal message on the group card and even upload a photo. It sends the feeling of support and friendship which can be just as important as the money.

Make it secure

• It seems easy enough to ask people to transfer money to your bank account but…
  • Do you want your account details broadcast far and wide?
  • People send money without a name. (nightmare!)
  • It’s a hassle to keep checking and keeping track of who’s given and whether it’s arrived.
• Money left in the mail box? Without a name? And if it rains?
• It’s safer to let people use their credit card or PayPal via GroupTogether. No credit card numbers are accessed by GroupTogether. They are handled by SecurePay, a business of Australia Post.
• GroupTogether lets contributors know when the money has been transferred so there’s absolute transparency.

As private or public as you like

• You can choose to keep it quiet – just sending it to a list of friends.
• Or, share it with the world on social media and invite everyone to help.
• GroupTogether.com automatically gives you a link that you can share anywhere.
• Donors can feel good about giving. Their donation amounts are private but other friends can see that they’ve given something because their name is on the card.
• It’s the organiser’s decision whether to share the individual amounts given with the recipient.

Spread the word

• Start close and work your way out. Add email addresses for the friends you know. They are the most likely to give. By adding their emails, GroupTogether can send weekly reminders which helps everyone.
• Then, if you like, use social media to tell the story and add the link to contribute.

Make it clear

• The best campaigns clearly explain what the problem is and how the money will help. You don’t have to give every private detail but people will empathise more if they understand the problem and will give more if they know that the money really make a difference. For example, if you’re raising money for school expenses, a wheelchair, a carer…. tell people.

How to get started.

1. Click HERE to get started.
2. Answer the step-by-step prompts.
3. Add email addresses of the friends you know.
4. You’ll get a link that you can share in social media or via SMS or anywhere else if you choose.

Good luck!