Fundly For Political Campaigns: Is It Legal?

can you use fundly for political campaigns

Fundly is a donation platform that allows individuals, non-profits, schools, political organisations, and corporations to raise money for their causes. It provides a fundraising website where users can create campaign pages and/or event pages, customise their page, and start accepting online donations. The platform also offers various features such as the ability to add comments, accept anonymous donors, manage campaigns on-the-go via mobile, and integrate with social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter for broader reach and exposure. With no minimum amount to raise, users can easily set up crowdfunding campaigns for political purposes, including funding political campaigns, raising awareness, and supporting specific candidates or local issues.

Characteristics Values
Who can use it? Individuals, non-profits, schools, political organizations and corporations
What is it used for? Raising money for a cause
How does it work? Fundly provides a fundraising website where users can create campaign pages and/or event pages
How can users promote their campaigns? Through social media posts, emails, local media outlets, offline events
How can donations be made? Online, offline as cash/checks
How can donors be thanked? Through emails, social media posts
How can the funds be withdrawn? Through the payments partner, Stripe
How long does it take to withdraw the funds? 2-7 business days

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Fundly's features

Fundly provides a fundraising website for individuals, non-profits, schools, political organisations and corporations who want to raise money for a cause. It is a useful platform for those looking to fund political campaigns and offers a range of features to help users achieve their goals.

Campaign Pages and Event Pages

Fundly allows users to create campaign and event pages. The campaign page can be customised with a title, location, goal amount, category, end date, description, images, videos, and more. Similarly, event pages can be tailored with event titles, event purpose, location, start and end dates, images, videos, logos, tickets, and other custom fields.

Dashboard View

The dashboard provides an overview of the campaign's status, updates, recent activities, performance, page views, emails sent, and social posts. It offers a comprehensive view of the campaign's progress and engagement.

Mobile Compatibility

Fundly's mobile compatibility enables users to manage their campaigns from anywhere. It is designed to look great on mobile browsers, making it convenient for visitors to learn about the campaign and make donations. The mobile experience also facilitates thanking new donors, sending emails, and posting updates.

Social Media Integration

Fundly integrates with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This integration helps to maximise social impressions and reach a wider audience. It also allows supporters to instantly spread the word about their donations to their networks, generating more exposure and potentially raising more funds.

Donation Processing and Management

Fundly's payment partner, Stripe, securely processes donations. Users can activate their accounts and start accepting donations immediately. The platform allows for recurring payments, anonymous donors, and customisable donation forms. It also provides automated donation receipts, transaction history, and the ability to view donor information and manage refunds.

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Campaign incentives

Fundly provides a fundraising website for individuals, non-profits, schools, political organizations, and corporations that want to raise money for a cause. It allows users to create a campaign page and raise funds through crowdfunding. This is a viable option for political campaigns, which often require funds for events, rallies, speeches, and merchandise.

Free Samples or Gifts

Offering free samples or gifts with certain actions can be an effective way to promote your campaign and show appreciation to your donors. For example, you could provide free merchandise, such as t-shirts, hats, or pins, with the campaign logo or slogan on them. This not only rewards the donor but also helps to spread awareness of the campaign as these items are worn or used.

Discounts and Special Offers

Providing discounts or special offers can incentivize people to contribute to your campaign. For instance, you could offer early bird discounts for those who donate within a certain timeframe or provide loyalty discounts to those who have donated previously. You could also partner with local businesses to offer exclusive deals or experiences to your donors.

Sweepstakes and Contests

Running a sweepstakes or contest can create a sense of excitement and urgency among potential donors. For example, you could organize a raffle where each donation made during a specific period enters the donor into a drawing for a chance to win a prize. The prize could be something relevant to the campaign, such as a meet-and-greet with the candidate or exclusive campaign merchandise.

Referral Programs

Encourage your donors to spread the word about your campaign by offering referral incentives. This could be in the form of rewards or discounts for each successful referral, or entries into a special referral-only sweepstakes. This helps to expand your donor base and create a sense of community among your supporters.

Exclusive Events

Organizing exclusive events for donors can make them feel valued and appreciated. These events could be an opportunity for donors to meet and interact with the candidate, hear exclusive campaign updates, or participate in a Q&A session. You could also combine these events with other incentive ideas, such as providing gifts or offering discounts to those who attend.

When designing campaign incentives, it is important to keep them simple, fun, and generous. Ensure that the incentives align with the values and goals of the campaign and provide a clear call to action for potential donors.

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Offline events

Fundly can be used for political campaigns and is a fundraising website for individuals, non-profits, schools, political organisations, and corporations. It is a platform that allows for the easy collection of donations, which are then managed by the payment partner, Stripe.

Walkathons

Walkathons are perfect for supporters who want to actively show their passion for a political cause. They are well-suited for healthcare-related issues but can be used for any type of fundraising effort. Choose a suitable location and time, and consider the season—pick a time with good temperatures and minimal risk of rain. You can sell merchandise like t-shirts and water bottles to raise money, and charge an entrance fee.

Rubber Duck Race

A fun and hilarious way to get to know local supporters and inform them about your political positions. Buy yellow rubber ducks in bulk, write numbers on them, and sell tickets with matching numbers. Then, release the ducks into a local river or stream. The first duck to cross the finish line wins its owner a small prize.

Family Picnic

A family picnic is a great way to bring all your supporters together and also gives you an opportunity to give a speech. You can also use the event to explain your platform and policies and answer any questions.

Kick-off Event

The goal of a kick-off event is to collect money, spread the word, and generate excitement. It can be a sit-down dinner, an auction, a golf event, or anything else. You can include a special place for VIPs and charge more for those tickets. You can also live stream the event virtually on Facebook and Instagram to interact with voters and supporters.

Fundraising Dinner

A fundraising dinner can be sponsored by a corporation or labour organisation, but only if it is limited to a restricted class of individuals. The funds collected are treated as contributions to the candidate or party and the SSF of the corporation/labor organisation. The event may not raise funds in excess of the SSF's candidate contribution limit ($5,000 for a multicandidate PAC).

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Social media presence

Fundly is a donation platform that can be used by individuals, non-profits, schools, political organisations, and corporations to raise money for a cause. It is a useful tool for crowdfunding political campaigns.

Political campaigns have been utilising social media to engage with prospective voters and build an organic support base. A strong social media strategy is essential to a campaign's success, but it is a double-edged sword that can jeopardise the entire campaign if used incorrectly.

  • Verify your social media accounts to ensure authenticity and make them stand out.
  • Understand your target audience, their needs, behaviours, and the social networks they use.
  • Be considerate of all your followers and overarching campaign goals. Be wise in your choice of words and do not antagonise anyone.
  • Keep your personal social media accounts separate from your campaign accounts.
  • Use a variety of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, to reach a wider audience.
  • Utilise social media tracking tools to monitor engagement and trends on current topics.
  • Tailor your message to resonate with your target audience.
  • Create unique content for each social media channel, as each platform caters to different audiences and content types. For example, Instagram is valuable for visual storytelling.
  • Leverage forums like Reddit and online communities to start discussions, gather feedback, and answer questions.
  • Use social media content curation tools to build a library of content for your channels.
  • Engage with your followers by asking for their feedback and showing that you care about their needs and desires.
  • Make use of live video on Facebook and Instagram to encourage meaningful and personable dialogue with your constituents.
  • Share updates and concerns in a democratic manner, but refrain from posting impulsive thoughts that you may change your mind about later.
  • Drive traffic to your campaign website and boost your campaign activity using Facebook and Instagram.
  • Create political campaign ads on Facebook to increase awareness of your campaign and goals within your target audience.
  • Build connections with people who can directly benefit your campaign.

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How to get started

To get started with Fundly for your political campaign, you'll first need to register for a Fundly account. This will allow you to create a campaign page and start fundraising. Here are the steps you can follow:

  • Sign up: Visit the Fundly website and sign up for an account. You'll need to provide some basic information, such as your name, email address, and the name of your campaign. You may also need to provide your phone number and address if your campaign is outside the United States.
  • Create your campaign page: Once you have an account, you can create your campaign page. This is where you'll share information about your political campaign, including the cause you're raising money for, your story, and any events or updates related to your campaign. You can customise the look and feel of your page by adding a campaign title, location, goal amount, category, end date, description, images, videos, and more.
  • Leverage your network: Start by reaching out to your existing network of supporters, friends, and family members to build momentum for your campaign. Share your campaign page through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Use hashtags and engage with your audience to spark conversation and increase exposure.
  • Utilise email: Craft personalised emails to share your campaign story with your contacts. Make sure to include a link to your campaign page and a clear call to action. You can also use email templates provided by Fundly to send emails to your supporters, donors, and fundraisers.
  • Combine online and offline efforts: Don't rely solely on online channels. Host offline events such as walks, runs, dinners, or service events to engage with your supporters and raise funds. You can also sell merchandise at these events, such as t-shirts, to boost your fundraising.
  • Engage with local media: Reach out to local news outlets and reporters to share your story. They are always on the lookout for compelling stories, so don't be afraid to pitch yours. Keep your message concise and highlight why it's newsworthy.
  • Use incentives: Motivate people to donate by offering incentives. For example, you can sell t-shirts directly on your campaign page or offer other rewards for certain donation values.
  • Stay persistent: Fundraising requires persistence. Regularly update your campaign page with rich posts, thank your donors, and convey a sense of urgency to encourage donations.
  • Manage your donations: Fundly's payment partner, Stripe, will help you manage the funds you receive. You will need to link a bank account to receive the donations. Payments are typically processed within 7 days of the initial donation.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Fundly provides a fundraising website for individuals, non-profits, schools, political organizations and corporations who want to raise money for a cause.

You can create a campaign page by registering for a Fundly account. You can then customize your page and start accepting online donations.

Fundly allows you to create a campaign page with features such as a campaign title, location, goal amount, category, end date, description, images/videos, and a color theme. You can also add comments, accept anonymous donors, set up recurring payments, and download donor data.

You can promote your campaign by sharing it on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can also embed a campaign card, donate button, or fundraiser button on your website. Additionally, you can reach out to local media outlets and combine your online fundraising with offline events.

Fundly's payment partner, Stripe, manages the funds accumulated on your campaign. You will need to link a bank account to receive the funds. Payments are usually processed and transferred within 2-7 business days after the initial donation.

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