Connection Café: Fundraising as a participant - exciting times with technology

	Fundraising as a participant - exciting times with technology
	Posted by Taylor Shanklin at Mar 12, 2009 12:13 PM CDT Categories: Constituent Empowerment, Fundraising, Social Media, Technology

Over the past couple of years I've been on the non-profit side of fundraising. This year I'm also experiencing what it is like to fundraise from a race participant's perspective. I'm training for a century bike ride, and while fundraising for the ride I'm getting to see first-hand what it is like as a constituent to really use the various online avenues available for inspiring my friends and family to donate to my cause. I've run into some pretty cool pieces of technology that have been helping me spread the word. If you are training for a walk, run or ride event, maybe these can help you, too.

So, I recently decided to join the masses and get on board with a high-powered, highly-connected mobile device. I got the new Blackberry Bold and immediately started looking for apps that could help me in my day-to-day tasks. It just so happens that there are some cool apps that are helping me connect to my donors. Mobile blogging is awesome.

One of my favorites apps is CellSpin. My phone has the capability to capture video, and with CellSpin, I'm able to shoot video and immediately upload it to my blog, YouTube, Facebook, etc. I'm training with a team, and each Saturday we go out for our long training rides. Before we start each ride I shoot a quick video explaining where we are riding that day, how many miles we will go, and a reminder to my friends donate. Then, with the click of a button I'm able to choose which of my social networking sites I want to upload the video to. It's one way that I'm able to give live training updates to my friends and family. So far it's been a hit. Everyone seems to enjoy laughing at my geeky cycle gear. But, it is driving donations and support.

Another cool app that I've been using is GPSed. This site and app allows me to track the routes that we ride and upload a link to that track directly to my social networking sites. I've found it useful in training because I can keep track easily of my mileage, and keep track of which routes I enjoyed or didn't enjoy. It also has been a really useful tool in showing my family and friends that I am ACTUALLY doing this cycling thing.

My blog is where this is all comes together. I chose to go with blogspot because it is integrated with everything Google. I've been able to easily upload my CellSpin videos and GPSed tracks directly to my blog from my phone! It is so easy - I love it. The blog serves as a central location for all of this technology to come together and work in harmony, providing a place for my friends/family/donors to stay connected and updated on my progress.

If you are training and fundraising for an endurance event, I highly suggest you check out these apps and look into starting a blog about your efforts, if you haven't already. It's helped me in keeping others informed and connected to my cause.

Have you found any cool apps that help you fundraise? Share the love - comment on this blog and let me know what is working for you.