Imagine being able to have all the funds you need for higher education in spite of budget cuts and uncertain futures.

What possibilities could you achieve if you knew the secret to successful fundraising trends for higher education in 2017?

The truth is that you can know those trends, and you can start using them now. So, what are the they? Let’s explore the 5 top trends together.

1. Targeted Communications on Interest, and Past Giving History
   This is selecting a specific person, group of people, business, etc. based on previous records. For example, if a financial firm donated $2,000 last year to the business program, you would invite that same firm to donate to the same program again this year. You basically target specifically to who has given to what in the past.
2. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising, Crowdfunding, and Giving Days
   This trend is friends asking friends to get involved with donating. And since people tend to spend time with other people who are similar to them and who believe in the same things as them, their friends are likely to give to same types of things they give to. And then big giving days are established to make a celebration of everyone giving together at the same time to collect a substantial amount in one sitting. This builds a sense of comradery and momentum that tends to be quite successful.

3. Make It Easy to Give
   Nobody likes wasting time clicking through different screens and getting locked out of website. This is even more true when they are trying to give or donate to something you are raising funds for. So, make sure you make it easy for people to give. Update your website regularly. Offer easy-to-use platforms such as PayPal. Make every effort to make the process runs smoothly with as few complications as possible for your donors and you are more likely to be successful.

4. Recurring Giving Programs
   With direct deposits and automated drafting on the rise, it is very helpful that you do the same to raise funds for higher education. Give your donors the opportunity to sign-up for monthly donations, especially ones automated directly from their accounts to your fundraiser. This creates consistent giving which accumulates into massive donations over a span of time.

5. Engage Unaffiliated Individuals Within the Community to Turn Them into Regular Donors
   Always remember that just because someone is not directly linked to your cause or program does not mean they do not believe in it. Many of them would enjoy being a part of it. It is therefore important to invite other people from your community to participate in your fundraiser for higher education. The results may be even greater than what you expected.

By implementing these top 5 higher education fundraising trends for 2017, you will be well on your way to getting the funds you need to make what you are investing in a huge success.