Raising money for animal causes: a guide

Most people love animals. In fact, the average British pet owner spends a whopping £2,500 per animal each year. But not only are people willing to spend money on their own companion animals, many are also willing to use their money to support animal causes that matter to them.

If you’re looking to help animals in need by raising funds on their behalf, consider crafting an ask that is creative enough to grab attention, and impactful enough to get donors on board. From online crowdfunding to charity merchandising, finding ways to engage your community in supporting animals can make a major difference for the animals.

Here are a few tips about how to raise money for animal causes.

How to raise money for farmed animals

Most people love animals, whether they’re the dog sleeping at the foot of the bed, or a cow they drive by on a road trip. Yet 82% of donors to animal causes give exclusively to companion animal organisations like rescue centres, rather than the millions of farmed animals suffering on factory farms.

Part of the problem is that most people are just more familiar with nonprofits that help companion animals. However, when a range of causes for different kinds of animals are presented, the percentage of people supporting other animal causes goes up. That means that one of the biggest barriers to fundraising for farm animals could simply be getting a farmed animal cause (like The Humane League UK!) in front of people.

Asking people or businesses for money can be intimidating, but many people appreciate the opportunity to give to a cause that is dear to their hearts, such as animal welfare. And there are lots of ways to reach people.

Online crowdfunding

Online crowdfunding can be an excellent way to reach hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Using the web to crowdfund is especially effective if you’re trying to get a lot of people to give a little bit of money. Afterall, 100 people each giving £5 is the same as one person giving £500, and in many cases, the former may be easier to accomplish.

Sponsored activity

Being sponsored for a challenge is a great way to raise money. This could be anything from a physical challenge like a cycle or run, or a sponsored readathon.

Fundraising events

Events can be an effective way to get both small and large donations. For example, a charity gala can raise thousands, while a car wash can get dozens of smaller donations that all add up.

How to start a fundraising campaign

Perhaps the hardest part of fundraising is deciding which tactic to take on. Once you’ve done enough brainstorming, and have chosen what you want to do, there are a few essential steps to get your fundraiser off the ground.

Launch

To get your fundraiser off the ground, choose a launch date and make sure to have all materials and planning ready by that day.

Use powerful imagery

Choosing impactful imagery is one of the most powerful and important parts of crafting an animal fundraising campaign. It not only grabs your donors’ attention, but can actually get them to give you money. Also include a visual indicator to show when you’re close to meeting your goal, such as a thermometer.

Tell a compelling story

Sharing an engaging story can go a long way in getting people to donate. Doing so can help them better relate to the cause, especially if you have a personal connection to your cause, or if the story focuses on a compelling individual animal.

Share your fundraiser

Getting your fundraiser in front of people can be difficult. Think about who you want to reach and how. Are you a student wanting to get other students to donate? Perhaps handing out flyers at school or creating social media posts would work well.

Share updates

Did you complete a stage of your challenge? Keep your donors in the loop. Each time you send an update, also include a way they can donate.

Say thanks

Anytime you get a donation, no matter how big or small, it’s essential to say thank you.

Creative ways to raise money for animals

Creative ways to solicit donations in support of animal causes are endless. Here are a collection of ideas we love:

• Organise a car wash.
• Organise a walk-and-paw-a-thon.
• Set up a pet picture day.
• Partner with a coffee shop, restaurant, or other business to donate partial proceeds.
• Organise a pet talent show.
• Hold a silent auction.
• Create and sell custom t-shirts.
• Organise a trivia night.
• Set up a birthday fundraiser in place of gifts.
• Make and sell candles.
• Hold a game night.
• Host a festive seasonal fundraiser.
• Put together and sell community plant-based cookbooks.
• Offer gift-wrapping services.
• Host a bingo night.
• Set up a clothing swap shop.
• Create and sell animal calendars.
• Hold a used book sale.
• Hold a quilting bee.
• Set up an online giving day.
• Organise donation matching with a company, team, or celebrity.
• Set up a photo booth.

The bottom line

Exploring fun and impactful ways to raise funds for animals in need can lead to major impacts. Consider engaging your community through crowdfunding, events, partnerships, awareness campaigns, and more. Every contribution, big and small, counts toward supporting important animal causes.