The "Sponsor a ____" is a marketing tactic, the end result is the same as setting up a regular monthly donation, it all goes into the same pot, unless it's marked for a specific cause or appeal.
However, there is a way to do this right. I donate to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant conservation region in Kenya. You can sponsor an orphan baby elephant, and they send you monthly updates on the elephant's growth, role in the herd (Bull, matriarch, mini-matriarch, etc), and you can follow their progress as they are rehabilitated and released into the wild.
If you just take the money and run, that sours people on giving monthly.
Yes, because by framing the donation as supporting something specific, such as the care of a specific endangered animal, makes people feel more connected to the cause. It is disclosed that the money is still ultimately going into a bigger pot that supports the entire organization.
However, donors can still see the impact of their gift if the digital team is diligent about providing updates for the particular animal being cared for. Sheldrick Trust does this by being highly active on social media with daily videos showing feeding times for the ophans, while the caretakers talk about individual elephants and how they're health and social skills are developing inside the herd.
My Mum does the same with some donkey/dog charities.
They are smaller in scope but they are also way more involved with keeping people in touch with what is happening - it's good because she can see where the money is been used pretty clearly.
They also do a thing where they run a raffle where the winner gets to name the new foal/a puppy - which is a neat idea.
Comments
The "Sponsor a ____" is a marketing tactic, the end result is the same as setting up a regular monthly donation, it all goes into the same pot, unless it's marked for a specific cause or appeal.
However, there is a way to do this right. I donate to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant conservation region in Kenya. You can sponsor an orphan baby elephant, and they send you monthly updates on the elephant's growth, role in the herd (Bull, matriarch, mini-matriarch, etc), and you can follow their progress as they are rehabilitated and released into the wild.
If you just take the money and run, that sours people on giving monthly.
I don’t understand. It’s a marketing tactic except for this place you’re doing this exact thing with?
Yes, because by framing the donation as supporting something specific, such as the care of a specific endangered animal, makes people feel more connected to the cause. It is disclosed that the money is still ultimately going into a bigger pot that supports the entire organization.
However, donors can still see the impact of their gift if the digital team is diligent about providing updates for the particular animal being cared for. Sheldrick Trust does this by being highly active on social media with daily videos showing feeding times for the ophans, while the caretakers talk about individual elephants and how they're health and social skills are developing inside the herd.
My Mum does the same with some donkey/dog charities.
They are smaller in scope but they are also way more involved with keeping people in touch with what is happening - it's good because she can see where the money is been used pretty clearly.
They also do a thing where they run a raffle where the winner gets to name the new foal/a puppy - which is a neat idea.