Video Integration — boost the buzz around your online fundraising campaign
Time-saving – thoughtful automations save dozens of hours over your campaign
One-Click Checkout — our system will automatically charge the lucky winner
Text Message Notifications — keep your bidders engaged with text message notifications
Want to build an effective fundraising campaign?
Our team is here to give you more details and guides on how to grow your fundraiser.
How GYIFT Foundation Raised Over $20K with BetterWorld
By Colin Hunter on
“When you get a product that is so supreme, and you get that for free, there’s nothing better than that.”
About GYIFT Foundation
GYIFT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization dedicated to empowering young people in underprivileged and minoritized communities. Founded by Sheenagh Scholl and her husband, the GYIFT foundation, operates locally and internationally, with active programs in Swaziland, South Africa, and the Eastern United States.
The GYIFT Foundation’s mission is rooted in the belief that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, deserve equal access to opportunities that foster growth, education, and personal development.
At the heart of GYIFT is its acronym: Global Youth Initiatives For Transformation. This name reflects the foundation’s global scope and commitment to transforming young lives.
“We’re here to make sure young people, especially those from disadvantaged communities, are not left behind,” says Sheenagh. “We focus on giving them the tools, the knowledge, and most importantly, the exposure they need to make positive life choices.”
The Challenge: Finding a Cost-Effective and User-Friendly Fundraising Platform
Before discovering BetterWorld, the GYIFT Foundation faced several critical challenges in its fundraising efforts. Though they had secured some funding through grants and personal donations, the foundation had not yet fully engaged with a professional fundraising platform.
“We were fortunate to receive some grants and had support from family and friends, but we knew we needed a platform that could help us reach a wider audience and raise more funds,” says Sheenagh.
Some of the challenges they encountered before adopting BetterWorld included:
- High Platform Costs: While researching fundraising platforms, GYIFT quickly realized many platforms charged high fees. For a small nonprofit, these fees would have eaten into the funds they raised.
“You would be amazed at the prices some of these platforms charge,” says Sheenagh. “We’re a nonprofit, and we’re trying to help people less fortunate than we are. It doesn’t make sense to spend half of our budget on platform fees.”
2. Limited Tools and Resources: GYIFT Foundation needed a platform to handle various fundraising tasks, from selling event tickets to managing silent auctions. However, most platforms either lacked these features or charged extra for them. Additionally, they needed a system that would allow them to collect and manage donor information efficiently, something their previous informal fundraising methods didn’t offer.
3. Lack of Experience with Fundraising Technology: Sheenagh admitted she and her team were not experts in using fundraising technology.
“Technology is not really my lane,” she says. “My passion is going into the community and helping people, not sitting behind a computer trying to figure out complicated platforms.”
Let us help you raise more! Use BetterWorld’s free, easy fundraising tools!
The Solution: BetterWorld
After researching various fundraising platforms, the GYIFT Foundation discovered BetterWorld, and it quickly became apparent that it was the perfect fit for their needs.
“We did our research, contacted a few competitors, and ultimately decided on BetterWorld because their core values aligned with ours, and, most importantly, because it’s free,” Sheenagh shared.
One of the biggest draws for the foundation was BetterWorld’s free platform. For Sheenagh and her team, it was a relief to focus entirely on raising funds without worrying about losing a percentage to high platform fees.
“We are trying to raise money to help people who are less fortunate, so it was amazing to find a platform that doesn’t take a chunk of our funds,” Sheenagh explained.
This commitment to keeping costs low was a game-changer for the organization.
Beyond affordability, BetterWorld provided everything the GYIFT Foundation needed in one easy-to-use platform. From managing ticket sales and silent auctions to tracking donor data, the comprehensive suite of tools made event planning effortless.
“It’s a one-stop shop,” said Sheenagh. “Everything is there, from uploading images to managing events. It’s so easy to navigate, which was key for us.”
The added bonus of pre-packaged silent auction items that nonprofits could use further enhanced the success of their event, adding value to the auction without additional effort.
What truly stood out to the team, however, was the exceptional customer service. Knowing they had access to concierge support gave Sheenagh and her team confidence as they hosted their first event.
She recalled a moment when a small glitch threatened to disrupt the flow:
“We had a little glitch at our event, and it was resolved in minutes. I called, and two clicks later, the problem was fixed,” she shared. “Their customer service is beyond exceptional.”
With BetterWorld’s platform at their side, the GYIFT Foundation not only overcame their challenges, but also created a smooth, stress-free event that laid the groundwork for future fundraising success.
Interested in learning more about the outcomes of BetterWorld’s solutions and their impact on the GYIFT Foundation? Download the full article here.
Join 100,000+ amazing nonprofits, organizations, and fundraisers on BetterWorld
Let our FREE fundraising tools help you raise more funds with less effort
