Use RallyUp’s Paddle Raise feature to run a Fund-a-Need at your next in-person event.
Fund-a-Needs (also called Paddle Raises) allow you to raise funds for specific needs or appeals. When a need is presented, event attendees can raise paddles to indicate that they will donate a specified amount. Requested donation amounts can range anywhere from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars, allowing all attendees to donate at whatever level they can.
Fund-a-Needs help donors feel connected to your cause, so they’re inspired to donate more in the moment and donate again in the future.
How do RallyUp Fund-a-Needs work?
- Use the Paddle Raise Management page to spotlight a specific need or donation amount:
- Guests will see the spotlighted need or donation amount on the Live Display, which you can project onto monitors or screens throughout your venue:
- When guests raise their paddles, use the Paddle Raise Management page to enter each guest’s donation:
These donations will be added to each guest’s Event Balance.
- Charge guests for their donations individually or all at once, whenever you like. You can do so during the Fund-a-Need, when the Fund-a-Need ends, when the event ends, or anytime you want.
How do I add a Fund-a-Need to my Campaign?
- Go to Campaigns in the left menu.
- If you have chosen a list view, click on the Campaign title. If you have chosen a grid view, click on the Campaign image.
- Select Campaign Setup.
- Scroll down to Select any optional features you’d like to add and click on the toggle next to Gala & Events Features:
- Select Save.
What should I do before running a Fund-a-Need?
- If you want to create preset donation amounts for your Fund-a-Need with images and descriptions, we suggest using Crowdfunding Perks to create each donation amount: Understand: Crowdfunding Perks.
- We suggest printing or writing each attendee’s Guest Number on their paddle, so spotters can easily enter their donations when they raise their paddles.
- By default, Fund-a-Needs are visible on your Campaign Page while the Fund-a-Need is live:
If you want to hide your Fund-a-Need from the Campaign Page, you can do so from your Fund-a-Need settings.
How do I run a Fund-a-Need?
- Go to Campaigns in the left menu.
- If you have chosen a list view, click on the Campaign title. If you have chosen a grid view, click on the Campaign image.
- Scroll down to Galas & Events Management and select Manage Paddle Raise:
- Select the Crowdfunding Perk or donation amount you want to spotlight:
- To submit donations on guests’ behalf, enter their donor number in the text box and select Enter donation:
- To spotlight a new donation amount or Perk, select Change item on the left:
How can I change my Fund-a-Need settings?
You can access your Fund-a-Need settings by clicking on the three-dot menu on the top right corner of the screen:
This allows you to:
- Add a fundraising goal.
- A fundraising thermometer will appear on your Live Display to show how close you are to achieving this goal.
- Allocate donations to designated Fund options.
- You can select a Fund anytime during your Fund-a-Need, and all donations will automatically be allocated to that Fund while it’s selected: How-to: Create Donation Designation Options Using the Fund Feature.
- Hide the Fund-a-Need from your Campaign Page so only in-person attendees can participate.
What else can I do with the Paddle Raise feature?
- You can also spotlight other items during your Paddle Raise, such as Storefront merch. Ensure you’ve added all relevant items to your Campaign Page before the event starts.
- You can also use the Paddle Raise feature to run Live Auctions: Insights: Use the Paddle Raise Feature to Run Live Auctions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Fund-a-Need?
A Fund-a-Need is a fundraising technique where event attendees raise paddles to indicate they will donate a specified amount for a specific need or appeal. Donation amounts can range from a few dollars to thousands, allowing all attendees to participate at their comfort level.
Do I need Crowdfunding Perks to run a Fund-a-Need?
No, Crowdfunding Perks are optional. However, using Perks allows you to create preset donation amounts with images and descriptions, which can make your Fund-a-Need more engaging and help donors understand the impact of different giving levels.
Can virtual guests participate in my Fund-a-Need?
By default, Fund-a-Needs are visible on your Campaign Page, allowing virtual guests to participate alongside in-person attendees. If you want to restrict participation to only in-person guests, you can hide the Fund-a-Need from your Campaign Page through your Fund-a-Need settings.
How are Fund-a-Need donations charged?
Fund-a-Need donations are automatically added to each guest’s Event Balance. You have complete flexibility to charge guests individually or all at once—during the Paddle Raise, when it ends, when your event concludes, or at any time you prefer.
Can I use the Paddle Raise feature for purposes other than a Fund-a-Need?
Yes! While Paddle Raise is perfect for Fund-a-Needs, you can also use it to spotlight and sell other items like Storefront merchandise or run Live Auctions. The feature is versatile and can be adapted to various fundraising activities during your event.