The power of love: 6 quick ways to boost your online fundraising this Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is coming up fast, and it’s not too late to use it to give your online fundraising a boost!

Here are 6 quick and easy-to-implement ideas, from offering romantic ecards to creating a virtual Wall of Love, to running a 14 February Facebook Fundraiser.

1. Ask people to #ShowTheLove for your charity

Donate this Valentine’s Day. Add a Valentine-themed banner to your website and email footers and run an eye-catching post across your social media channels with a clear #ShowTheLove message – all with a link to your site’s donation page.

2. Run a Valentine themed online auction

Depending on your budget there’s a lot you could offer that fits in with the theme of love and romance – and that a wide range of people would like to win! It could be anything from a posh box of chocolates or romantic bouquet of flowers to a luxury hamper, tickets for a day out, or even a short break.

3. E-cards and E-gifts

Can be a great way for charities to raise funds at Christmas time so why not extend them for Valentine’s Day, in return for a donation? You could include a virtual rose or e-bouquet option or – to appeal to an even bigger audience – include Galentine’s Day (the day before) virtual cards and gifts for besties too.

4. Charity shops

Often turn their windows into Windows of Love at this time of year, letting people post messages on hearts there for a donation. Why not create a Wall of Love on your website instead, asking every supporter visiting your giving page to add an extra £ to their donation to leave a message/photo on the Wall. Lots of fun and lots of great content to promote on your social channels.

5. Which #hashtags are trending?

Increase your chance of being seen by seeking out the most popular Valentine-related hashtags on your social media channels in the run up to 14 February, as well as on the day itself. Look for those you can include in a post with a relevant image, video or gif, with a call to action asking for a donation via your website.

6. Last but not least, Social Channels

Now offer social media short-run fundraising opportunities perfect for special dates like this one. You could run a Valentine’s Facebook Fundraiser for example, use Donation Stickers with a Valentine themed TikTok post, or add a donation sticker to an Instagram story to bring in funds. Small but effective, and free!