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- Fundraising thermometers appeal to our preference for visuals<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fundraising thermometers give us a job to do<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fundraising thermometers make us feel accomplished<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When to use fundraising thermometers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Get started building your own fundraising thermometer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Fundraising thermometers appeal to our preference for visuals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humans are visual creatures. We like to see that our work means something. We love the gratification of knowing our effort pays off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why we tell fundraisers to be visual. Share visual stories to stand out on social media! Include images on your donation forms to boost conversion! Use pictures and video in thank-you notes! Donors want to know their gift is helping \u2013 show them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This includes fundraising thermometers, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fundraising thermometers tap into our need for visual confirmation of our work. Seeing our donations cause the thermometer to inch closer to its goal is deeply satisfying. Instant visual gratification is a powerful tool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This fundraising thermometer from Bronson Health Foundation is strategically placed near the top of their form below information about the organization’s mission.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Bronson-health-foundation-539x1024.jpg\")
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Fundraising thermometers give us a job to do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One of the cornerstones of great nonprofit storytelling is to show a donor a problem, then tell them how they can solve it. People want to solve problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using a fundraising thermometer<\/a> is compelling to donors because it gives them a job to do. This is especially true when they\u2019re used in a campaign with a tangible outcome, like a building project or funding a specific campaign. A fundraising thermometer tells donors, visually, \u201cWe need to raise $25,000. We\u2019ve raised $4,000 so far. Help us!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are plenty of ways to update donors on progress and lots of methods for establishing a sense of urgency in a campaign. A fundraising thermometer can help reinforce those techniques, making thermometers an especially effective tool for advocacy and awareness campaigns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Beau-biden-foundation-1024x587.jpg\")
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Beau Biden Foundation included a link to their year-end giving campaign form and thermometer in an email. As a result, they raised more than they needed for the community they serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fundraising thermometers make us feel accomplished<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We like having jobs to do. We LOVE completing those jobs. And we\u2019re often willing to go the extra mile to get them done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the biggest driver for successful campaigns that use fundraising thermometers. As donors see the thermometer\u2019s progress toward your fundraising goal, they\u2019re driven to help reach that goal \u2013 it\u2019s a recipe for engagement. When the goal is achieved, there\u2019s a sense of personal achievement. A big milestone is accomplished \u2013 and we helped!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with that sense of accomplishment comes a subtle sense of community. Watching a fundraising thermometer\u2019s progress lets donors know that others are involved with the fundraising, too. That social proof is a compelling reason to get involved and can inspire otherwise undecided donors to get involved. It\u2019s why including suggested donation amounts on a donation form inspires larger gifts: we want to give the way our peers give, and seeing our peers give makes us want to be involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about how effective this sense of accomplishment can be used to encourage participation in school fundraising campaigns<\/a>. School communities are close-knit, and students are often motivated by healthy competition. If you’re helping plan a school fundraiser, make sure your students, parents, and teachers can find your fundraising thermometer online and on the big screen at any fundraising events you host, like a special school auction<\/a> or dinner event. That way, they can encourage each other to help the community as a whole meet the overall goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Access Twin Cities fundraising thermometer shows their campaign reaching 108% of their fundraising goal. What an accomplishment!<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Access-twin-cities-856x1024.jpg\")
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- Fundraising thermometers give us a job to do<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"Schedule](\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/8356283\/7061015b-7a2b-4ec5-9aac-37ca0d5acd02.png\")
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