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Nonprofit Leaders 3min read

Increase Nonprofit Donations the Indy 500 Way

This upcoming Memorial Day weekend is the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. What can we learn about fundraising from “The Greatest Spectacle In Racing”? Find out how thinking like an Andretti brother can help you increase nonprofit donations.

Fast and Steady Wins the Race

It may be tempting for a driver to speed away from the starting line as quickly as possible and overtake everyone right in the beginning of the race, but that overexertion can take a toll on their vehicle and cause problems later in the race. Indy cars are supposed to go fast, but steadily and carefully overtaking other drivers over the entire race is a better way to end up in the Winner’s Circle with the car intact.

Stay in the groove and keep turning left. Keep it steady and make minor adjustments as you go. Remember that you have a long race ahead of you. Make sure you are prepared for all possibilities, and then work to grow a little at a time until your nonprofit donations are at the front of the pack.

Nonprofit Donations in the Regular Season

High-profile, highly-attended events like the Indy 500 allow drivers and their teams to shine, but other races are important, too. If a team ignored the rest of the racing season and only focused on preparing for the Indy 500, they would not come out well in the standings.

The same is true for your organization. Special events are great and help get people excited about your cause, but fundraising does not stop when the event is over. In order to have success, you have to keep fundraising strong year-round.

One excellent way to keep the money rolling in throughout the year is to use a mobile giving app. When your supporters are able to give in just a few taps on their smartphones, they no longer have to be at your fundraiser to support you financially. They can give from anywhere, at any time — even if you don’t have an event on the books. When you expand your fundraising window in this way, your overall nonprofit donations are sure to increase.

Don’t Be Afraid to Make a Pit Stop

Indycar drivers have so much talent, training, and endurance that they make completing a long, difficult race look like riding a bike. But despite their expertise, they can’t do it alone. It takes a team of knowledgeable people to ensure that the race goes well. Every so often, the driver has to leave the track for a pit stop. And to cut down on lost time, they must have a team ready and waiting to replace the worn out tires and fill up the tank with fuel.

You work hard all year long to make sure your organization puts plenty of good into the world. But if you keep going at that extreme pace for too long, you can get burnt out and your nonprofit donations can suffer. With a team of experts on your side, you can accomplish much more in far less time. It never hurts to stop and ask for help.

About the Author

Allison has a passion for charitable giving and believes that small acts of kindness can make the world a better place. She uses her web content and social media expertise to guide churches and nonprofits through the mobile fundraising process.

Allison Weaver