Fundraising Thermometer: Pictures, Signs, Graphics, Art And Images

Keeping track of a long-term fundraiser is important for building continued support and boosting supporter morale.

Visual aides, such as a fundraising thermometer, can help participants and prospective supporters track the progress of the fundraising campaign. A fundraising thermometer is a bar graph shaped like an old-fashioned mercury thermometer, which charts the progress of the fundraising campaign. This graph shows how far the campaign has come and compares it with how much farther it has to go.

Fundraising thermometers add a visual element to the fundraiser. The thermometer art helps those involved with the fundraiser visualize the campaign's progress. The thermometer picture usually depicts an aspect of the fundraiser as well. For example, a fundraising effort for forest preservation might depict the fundraising thermometer inside a picture of an endangered tree.

Though it may seem like a simplistic idea, fundraising thermometers have a profound impact on people. According to Fact Expert, fundraising thermometers legitimize the campaign's cause in the public eye. Donators enjoy visualizing their support; they like to see graphics depicting the impact of their support. Also, if people notice a campaign is particularly close to reaching its goal, they are more likely to support the cause. Donators like to see how their money went toward furthering a fundraiser's cause.

Fundraising campaigners usually make their own fundraising thermometers signs, most commonly out of cardboard. Online fundraising thermometers, however, have become popular in recent years. Online fundraising thermometers are programmed to automatically fill up as increased donations are inputted into the software configuration.

To enlist the greatest support, fundraising thermometers should be large and clearly labeled. The goal should be emphasized, drawing potential donators' eyes to the prospective amount of help fundraisers are attempting to procure. In order to maintain its impact, a fundraising thermometer should be continually updated to reflect changes in the campaign.

There are several different types of fundraising thermometers commonly used by campaigners. The traditional thermometer tracks benchmark values. Some organizations describe the impact of each monetary goal next to the benchmark. For example, if the organization can accomplish part of the goal at a certain value, it generally helps the campaign. A deed thermometer describes the variety of goals possible through each monetary benchmark.

Different fundraising efforts require different thermometer images. For example, needle or syringe thermometer pictures are common for medical fundraisers. Once the specified goal is reached, campaign artists can draw a fluid squirting out the top of the syringe thermometer picture. If the fundraiser is securing money for a school or church trip, car and airplane thermometers are common. Campaigners can also draw a map of where they are compared with where they are planning to go. Instead of a traditional thermometer picture, portions of the road can be colored to represent how much money has been raised. 

Fundraising thermometers are an effective way for both donators and campaigners to measure the progress of the fundraising effort. A clean, clear and well-thought out fundraising thermometer provides a call to action, sparking support for a legitimate fundraising endeavor.




Sources:
Fact Expert. 2005. 29 Nov. 2006.
Fundraising Thermometers. 2004. Beary Thoughtful. 29 Nov. 2006.
Making a Fundraising Thermometer. 2006. Fundraising Know How. 29 Nov. 2006.