How can I add offline gifts (ex: checks, cash, pledges, matching gifts, previous campaign support) to my Harness campaign thermometer/progress total?
What our most successful partners do is set their Harness campaign goal to be a "digital/online fundraising goal" vs a comprehensive goal which could include cash, checks, in-kind, matching & other gifts.
Because the data that displays in your Harness dashboard purely reflects the actions taken by your donors via Harness' giving pages, the campaign thermometer only has the ability to track online credit/debit card donations through Harness's platform. However, with our new Add a Donation tool, you can input cash & check donations received outside of Harness to have them counted toward a campaign.
While the thermometer can't display matching/pledge gifts, you can definitely still share these offline donations & previous success in your marketing efforts surrounding your Harness campaign page link.
For example, you can share... "We've raised $xxx so far including matching gifts we're receiving daily! We just need $xxx more to reach our goal."
You can also give periodic updates throughout the day on social media/via email directly addressing that you've received MORE gifts (ex: matching/cash/checks) in addition to the online gifts your donors can see getting you closer to your goal and revealing the "real" total.
For example:
Your internal goal: $10,000 (includes a current $5,000 matching gift)
Total funds already received via cash/check/etc: $2,000
The goal you share with donors via your Harness fundraising campaign goal: $3,000
Message to donors: "We are thrilled to have received a $5,000 matching gift via [donor's name] and we're proud to report our community has already given/pledged $2,000! Help us reach our goal of raising $3,000 so we can reach our match!"
Check out how this partner shared an update with their donors 👇
