There have been a LOT of nonprofit contests going on lately. Seems like everyday I get asked online to “vote” for some organization in one contest or another.
But are these contests worth it?
My colleague Sherry Truhlar at Red Apple Auctions recently addressed this trend on her blog. Sherry points out that small nonprofit organizations can easily waste a LOT of time promoting their participation in one of these contests. And with limited resources (like time), they may be better off promoting something that’s a sure thing, like a fundraising campaign or an auction event.
I totally agree with Sherry. It’s easy to get lured by the prospect of winning $10,000 just by having the most votes. But these votes aren’t always easy to get, plus you’re competing with thousands of other nonprofits. I’ve even heard a few nonprofits complaining that some contests aren’t set up very fairly.
I encourage you to think very carefully before you decide to participate in one of these. Make sure it’s worth your time before you jump in. And remember that these contests are sponsored by businesses that are getting a lot of promotional value from it.
Read Sherry’s entire post at http://www.redappleauctions.com/marketing/benefit-auctions-versus-online-non-profit-contests-wheres-the-big-payoff/
In Addition, some nonprofits have figured out how to game the system and get TONS of votes, and then, like the Pepsi challenge, they get booted out, for being the wrong cause. (This was the “Legalize marijuana” nonprofit.)
I agree, these contests aren’t the best way to get your nonprofit money. It’s very scattershot, and the publicity and traffic are WAY better for the company than for you. Better get a grant than participate in a contest.
Mazarine
http://wildwomanfundraising.com
Sandy, Sounds like we are both hearing the same type of feedback from non-profits and the communities that support them. It will be interesting to see what shakes out in the future as both non-profits and sponsors evolve and reshape the contests.
I wonder if part of the problem is that so much expert advice out there — and it’s generally good advice, too — on non-profit use of social media is actually aimed at the great big organizations, national charities and the like. Small and medium-sized groups have different strengths they can leverage, but the kind of social network needed to win an online popularity contest is not necessarily one of those!