{"id":881,"date":"2023-03-03T13:57:32","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T21:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connectionpoint.com\/fundraiserhub\/?p=881"},"modified":"2025-05-13T15:44:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T22:44:08","slug":"microprojects-the-small-idea-making-huge-impacts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/connectionpoint.com\/fundraiserhub\/microprojects-the-small-idea-making-huge-impacts\/","title":{"rendered":"Microprojects – the small idea making huge impacts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Long-running fundraising campaigns with big goals to fund a general cause are going the way of the dodo (at least they were until scientists began talking about bringing the dodo back…). We are moving into the age of Microprojects\u2122 to get donors what they’re looking for most: impact. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are Microprojects\u2122?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Large fundraising campaigns can break down into smaller ones called ‘sub-campaigns<\/strong>,’ all umbrellaed under a ‘main campaign.’ The term ‘microproject’ refers to the collective project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Each sub-campaign looks like any other campaign, with a goal, amount raised, story, and activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main campaign shows the collective<\/em> goal and amount raised for all projects<\/em> and contains the settings for all sub-campaigns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why are Microprojects\u2122<\/strong> useful?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Success in digital fundraising comes from the story you tell and the audience you have to tell it to. If your story is generalized around a bigger idea, readers may have a difficult time connecting emotionally with the cause and understanding the impact they have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study done by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy<\/a> found this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(W)hat is clear from the present research is that a message that shows the impact of a nonprofit\u2019s work draws people in and causes them to want to connect.<\/strong><\/p>\nOsili, U., et al. January 2022<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, increase your chances for success by effectively communicating impact using microprojects.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you update a campaign, notifications are sent to all who supported that campaign. When you update a sub-campaign, notifications are sent only to those who supported THAT sub-campaign, not the main campaign or the other sub-campaigns. This means you have the opportunity to speak about different supporters’ interests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way microprojects help communicate impact is through the psychological effect of breaking down a large sum of money. Simply put, smaller goals are easier to achieve, and many supporters look for this confidence in success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help with this point, take a look at these two campaigns. Which are you more likely to donate to?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Optics matter. Digital fundraising brings in those who prefer to give smaller amounts multiple times (or to multiple projects). It’s easier for those supporters to see the value in their contribution when it adds a more significant chunk to that goal meter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Examples<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Microprojects aren’t ideal for all campaigns, of course. But here are two scenarios to explain what they can be helpful for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Example 1: The Commemorative Air Force<\/a> (CAF) and the 12 Planes of Christmas<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Every year, the CAF organizes a fundraising event to provide assistance and draw attention to aircraft needing restoration, maintenance, or repairs. Supporters can donate to a specific aircraft project (sub-campaign) or the main campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Screenshot of subcampaign list from the CAF’s 2021 campaign.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A supporter could be interested in one of these planes for many reasons: perhaps their relative flew a specific model in war, or they’re passionate about a particular model’s engineering. Or they could be like me: with zero connection or knowledge of aircraft in general, let alone of another country’s air force. What I can<\/em> connect with are the nicknames. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sub-campaign spotlights the PT-17 Stearman N50329<\/a>, nicknamed “Rosie.” I may be Canadian, but even I know who ‘Rosie the Riveter’ was, and as a woman, I can certainly connect with the story behind that nickname. The coolest part is the most recent update in that campaign: a letter, hoping to inspire support, from a real<\/em> “Rosie”! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Note: we cannot directly link to updates. If you’re curious about this update, view the sub-campaign<\/a> and scroll down to the ‘Updates’ tab in the story.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only do these sub-campaigns help speak to different potential supporters, but they also help divvy up the work promoting the overall campaign. The CAF gives different bases ownership of different sub-campaigns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep – different sub-campaigns can have separate ownership!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means more users are sharing these campaigns with a broader audience – and it doesn’t matter if each sub-campaign hits its target goal because all funds roll into the main campaign, which (at least in this case) is the goal we care about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Example 2: S.A.I.N.T.S<\/a> and the Amazing Raise<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The Senior Animals In Need Today Society (SAINTS) runs its Amazing Raise campaign annually to support its shelter operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s common for rescues to have microproject campaigns because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n