Fundraising (Advocacy)

Overview

Build self-sustaining funding for advocacy operations through multiple revenue streams

Steps

Step 1: Donation infrastructure setup

Establish basic donation capability:

Platform selection:

1. Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com)

   • 0% fees under $5, 5% over
   • Simple setup, fast launch
   • Good for micro-donations

2. Ko-fi (ko-fi.com)

   • 0% platform fees (optional tips)
   • Simple interface
   • Good for creative/advocacy work

3. PayPal.me (paypal.me)

   • 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
   • Familiar to donors
   • If existing PayPal account

Setup tasks:

1. Create account on chosen platform
2. Write compelling donation page copy
3. Add project description and goals
4. Set up payment method (receive funds)
5. Test donation flow end-to-end
6. Create thank-you message template

Step 2: Transparency dashboard creation

Build public dashboard showing costs and impact:

Platform options:

• Google Sites (free, easy)
• Notion public page (free, flexible)
• GitHub Pages (free, technical)
• Simple HTML on existing domain

Dashboard elements:

1. Mission statement (one sentence)
2. Impact metrics:
   • Campaigns run
   • Contacts made
   • Meetings held
   • Legislative conversations
3. Cost transparency:
   • Total spend to date
   • Cost breakdown by category
   • Cost per meeting/outcome
4. Efficiency comparison:
   • How costs compare to traditional advocacy
   • What donation amounts enable
5. Donate button (prominent)
6. Recent activity feed (optional)

Update frequency: Weekly or after each campaign

Step 3: Soft ask integration

Integrate donation asks into existing communications:

Locations for soft asks:

1. Thank-you emails (after positive responses) Template: “P.S. This outreach is part of an experiment in evidence-based advocacy. We’ve spent $[X] to generate [Y] legislative conversations. If you find this approach valuable, consider supporting: [Link]”

2. Impact updates (quarterly or after campaigns)

   • Share metrics and stories
   • Include transparency dashboard link
   • Clear donation CTA

3. Dashboard footer

   • Always visible donate option
   • “Support this work” messaging

4. Newsletter (if applicable)

   • Occasional dedicated ask
   • Regular soft footer mention

Soft ask principles:

• Lead with impact, not need
• Make it easy (one-click donate)
• Show what donations enable
• Express genuine gratitude
• Don’t over-ask (fatigue)

Step 4: Grant prospect research

Build list of relevant grant opportunities:

EA-aligned funders:

1. Open Philanthropy

   • Focus: EA-aligned policy
   • Typical: $10K-100K+
   • Deadline: Rolling
   • Note: Requires strong EA alignment

2. EA Funds

   • Focus: High-impact projects
   • Typical: $5K-50K
   • Deadline: Rolling

Democracy-focused funders:

1. Democracy Fund

   • Focus: Civic engagement
   • Typical: $25K-100K

2. Hewlett Foundation

   • Focus: Evidence-based policy
   • Typical: $50K-500K

3. Civic Participation Action Fund

   • Focus: Advocacy capacity
   • Typical: $10K-50K

For each prospect:

• Note eligibility requirements
• Check deadline/timeline
• Assess fit with our work
• Prioritize by likelihood and amount
• Note application requirements

Step 5: Grant application development

Prepare and submit grant applications:

Application structure:

1. Overview

   • Project description (1 paragraph)
   • Mission statement
   • Theory of change

2. Problem Statement

   • The advocacy gap we’re addressing
   • Why existing approaches insufficient
   • Why this problem matters

3. Solution

   • Our approach and methodology
   • What makes it different/better
   • Evidence for effectiveness

4. Track Record

   • Proof of concept metrics
   • Campaign outcomes
   • Learnings and improvements

5. Request

   • Specific amount requested
   • Time period covered
   • Use of funds breakdown

6. Outcomes

   • Specific measurable goals
   • Timeline for delivery
   • Success criteria

7. Evaluation

   • How we’ll track progress
   • Reporting commitment
   • Transparency approach

Submit to 3-5 prioritized funders.

Step 6: Crowdfunding campaign preparation

Prepare crowdfunding campaign (after proof of concept):

Prerequisites:

• 2-3 completed campaigns with metrics
• Compelling impact stories
• Email list of supporters
• Dashboard with transparent metrics

Platform selection:

• GoFundMe: 0% platform fee, 2.9% + $0.30 payment
• Kickstarter: 5% platform + payment fees

Campaign structure:

• Goal: $5,000-10,000 (achievable)
• Duration: 30 days
• Reward tiers:
  • $10 - Supporter (name on public list)
  • $25 - Advocate (monthly email updates)
  • $50 - Champion (quarterly video update)
  • $100 - Partner (input on policy selection)
  • $250 - Sponsor (named campaign dedication)
  • $500 - Founder (strategy call participation)

Campaign narrative:

• Problem we’re solving
• Our unique approach
• Results so far
• What funding enables
• Specific goals for funds

Step 7: Crowdfunding execution

Launch and manage crowdfunding campaign:

Pre-launch (Week -1):

• Finalize campaign page
• Prepare launch email
• Line up early supporters
• Create social media assets

Launch (Day 1):

• Send launch email to full list
• Post on social channels
• Reach out to key supporters personally
• Target: 30% of goal in first 48 hours

Ongoing (Days 2-25):

• Daily update on progress
• Thank new backers publicly
• Share milestones
• Personal outreach to warm leads
• Mid-campaign momentum push

Final push (Days 26-30):

• Urgency messaging
• Final email to non-donors
• Thank supporters
• Stretch goals if hitting target

Post-campaign:

• Thank all backers
• Fulfill reward tiers
• Report on fund usage
• Convert to recurring supporters

Step 8: Long-term sustainability development

Build sustainable recurring revenue:

Membership program:

1. Define tier structure:

   • Free: Monthly newsletter, public dashboard
   • $5/month: Weekly briefs, voting record alerts
   • $15/month: Full research, policy selection vote, group calls
   • $50/month: All above, early access, monthly 1:1
   • $200/month: Institutional - custom requests, co-branding

2. Set up recurring payments:

   • Stripe or PayPal subscriptions
   • Easy upgrade/downgrade
   • Cancellation process

3. Create member content:

   • Exclusive updates
   • Behind-the-scenes
   • Early access to research

Consulting services:

1. Policy Research Package: $1,500-3,000

   • Evidence synthesis
   • One-page brief
   • Stakeholder map

2. Campaign Design Package: $2,500-5,000

   • Strategy development
   • Targeting
   • Templates
   • A/B test setup

3. Full Execution Package: $5,000-10,000

   • Design + managed execution + reporting

Target clients:

• Small nonprofits without advocacy capacity
• Academic researchers wanting policy impact
• Foundations seeking grantee support
• Issue-specific coalitions

Newsletter sponsorship (when 500+ subscribers):

• Single issue: $200
• Monthly: $600
• Quarterly: $1,500

When to Use

• Starting advocacy project and need initial funding
• Campaign showing traction and ready for scaling
• Building proof of concept for grant applications
• Establishing long-term financial sustainability
• Diversifying funding sources to reduce risk
• Transitioning from volunteer to funded operations

Verification

• Donation infrastructure tested and working
• Transparency dashboard public and accurate
• Soft asks integrated in key touchpoints
• Grant applications submitted to prioritized funders
• Crowdfunding campaign reaches goal (if launched)
• Long-term revenue streams defined
• Sustainability roadmap documented
• All revenue tracked and reported