When you are involved with a fundraising event it is to raise money for your cause. Ideally, you have a goal that you would like to reach. If you want to achieve a goal, what steps do you take? Well, first you write it down; second, you work on it every day; and third, you track your progress. This process should apply to every fundraising activity you undertake. By setting clear goals, you give the people in your organization a definite understanding of what they’re out to accomplish and motivate them to get it done.
Tracking a fundraising campaign’s progress has traditionally been accomplished using a thermometer. The goal amount is placed at the top, and the tube is colored in as more funds are raised. It’s a very simple idea that can provide excellent motivation for those raising the money.
There’s no reason to stick to the basic thermometer. If you want people to take notice of your cause then get fancy and colorful. In other words, get some newer and more innovative ideas. Fundraising thermometers are a great way to show the success of your fundraiser and to encourage people to donate to your cause! If you are new to the fundraising field, you might not be immediately familiar with the term “fundraising thermometer”. The concept, however, is actually quite simple. A fundraising thermometer is simply a bar graph, built in the shape of a thermometer, that shows people how much money you have collected so far and how much further you have to go.
So, what is the exact purpose of a fundraising thermometer? Are they simply there to add decoration to the event, or do people really have a response to them? Where would you even get one of these thermometers if you decided to use one? Once you have the decision to use one of the thermometers the hardest part will be selecting the one that you like the best and the one that works best for your event.
If you are doing Internet fundraising, there are multiple sites that make graphic fundraising thermometers that can be displayed neatly and professionally on your website. If you are doing a traditional fundraising event, however, finding a thermometer might be somewhat more difficult. In this situation, you have two main options: order a thermometer or make your own.
Making your own thermometer is by far the most popular and cost effective choice of the two. Generally, a thermometer drawn on a large set of poster board and clearly labeled with the numerical units of what you are trying to collect should be sufficient. This way, you can simply color in more of the thermometer as you get closer to your goal. Make sure to put your goal number at the top so that people know for what you are aiming for.
