Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a non-provisional of, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/196,694, filed Jul. 24, 2015, and titled “SYSTEM AND TOOLS FOR ORGANIZING AND RUNNING FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Generally, fundraisers are implemented to achieve the largest contributions possible. Often, the desire for large contributions dissuades individuals from donating any amount. There is a need for fundraising that enables individuals to contribute at a level at which they are comfortable and can afford. For example, if 200 people were asked to line up and count off, “1, 2, 3 . . . 199, 200”, and each of those people gave their number in dollars, a fundraiser would raise $20,100 without anyone giving give more than $200 and with some people giving as little as a dollar. 
         [0003]    Current online fundraising depends on masses giving small contributions to a cause. A need remains for a method that guides people to give in a series, allowing them to place themselves in a spot that makes financial sense for them, knowing that “small” is a relative term. To one person “small” could mean a dollar and to another it could mean $500. A need remains for a model that allows people to give strategically by picking their place based on their capability and passion for the project. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions thereon is provided. The instructions are configured to instruct a processor to run a fundraising campaign through the steps of setting a fundraising goal for the campaign via a campaign initiator interface and adjusting characteristics of the campaign via the campaign initiator interface. The characteristics of the campaign are adjusted to select a plurality of dollar amounts that may be contributed to the campaign. The characteristics of the campaign are further adjusted to select a number of times that each of the plurality of dollar amounts may be contributed to the campaign. The processor is also instructed to open the fund raising campaign to contributors so that contributors can select one of the plurality of dollar amounts via a contributor interface. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, a method of running a fundraising campaign is provided. The method includes setting a fundraising goal for the campaign. The method also includes adjusting characteristics of the campaign. The characteristics of the campaign are adjusted to select a plurality of dollar amounts that may be contributed to the campaign. The characteristics of the campaign are further adjusted to select a number of times that each of the plurality of dollar amounts may be contributed to the campaign. The method also includes opening the fund raising campaign to contributors so that contributors can select one of the plurality of dollar amounts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will be more apparent and better understood by reference to the following descriptions of the disclosed methods and systems, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a graphical user interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a graphical user interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an architecture diagram showing components of a system formed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The present application discloses various system and tools for organizing and running fundraising campaigns. For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows graphical user interface  10  according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in  FIG. 1  are a plurality of slider bars  101 , each of which comprises a slider  103 , range indicator  105 , counter  107 , and sum display  109 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each slider  101  is associated with a predetermined dollar range as shown in its associated range indicator  105 . 
         [0012]    According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a user of graphical user interface  10  moves slider  103  left or right along slider bar  101 , counter  107  changes. As a user of graphical user interface  10  moves slider  103  left along slider bar  101 , counter  107  decreases, with  1  being the lower bound of counter  107 . As a user of graphical user interface  10  moves slider  103  right along slider bar  101 , counter  107  increases. 
         [0013]    According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, each individual dollar amount within the dollar range as shown in a range indicator  105  may be donated to a fundraising campaign as many times as is shown in the counter  107  associated with that dollar range. According, as counter  107  changes by virtue of the movement of slider  103 , the figure displayed in sum display  109  changes. 
         [0014]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , range indicators  105  are broken down into the following ranges:
       $1-$10   $11-$25   $26-$50   $51-$100   $101-$150   $151-$200   $201-$250   $251-$300   $300-$350       
 
         [0024]    However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these ranges. For example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to have ranges above $300-$350. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the following ranges are available and are displayed as range indicators  105 :
       $1-$10   $11-$25   $26-$50   $51-$100   $101-$150   $151-$200   $201-$250   $251-$300   $300-$350   $351-$400   $401-$450   $451-$500   $501-$600   $601-$700   $701-$800   $801-$900   $901-$1000       
 
         [0042]    It also is within the scope of the present disclosure that available contribution amounts within each dollar range as shown in a range indicator  105  increment by a factor other than $1. For example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the available contribution amounts within the dollar range $1-$10 could be $2, $4, $6, $8, and $10. As another example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the available contribution amounts within the dollar range $26-$50 could be $30, $35, $40, $45, and $50. As yet another example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the available contribution amounts within the dollar range $501-$600 could be $520, $540, $560, $580, and $600. As yet another example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the available contribution amounts within the dollar range $1001-$1500 could be $1100, $1200, $1300, $1400, and $1500. The foregoing are only examples, and a system according to the present disclosure may be flexibly adapted along these lines to meet the needs of the practitioner under a specific set of circumstances. 
         [0043]    According to the method for running a fundraising campaign embodied in the present disclosure and graphical user interface  10 , each dollar amount shown in a range indicator  105  can be contributed as many times as is indicated by the number in the counter  107 . In at least one embodiment, the fundraising campaign process begins with a fundraising goal set by the fundraising campaign initiator. For example, if the fundraising campaign initiator sets a fundraising goal is $500,000, graphical user interface  10  would display range indicators from $1 to $1000. This is because if each dollar amount from $1 to $1000 is donated one time, the organization will raise $500,500 and no individual donation will need to exceed $1000. 
         [0044]    The slider bars  101  can be adjusted to adjust the characteristics of the fundraising campaign. For example, if the fundraising campaign initiator understands that the fundraising support is likely to come from a population of those with little money, the fundraising campaign initiator can eliminate the higher dollar ranges (for example, the entire range can be turned off) and increase the number of times each dollar amount can be contributed in the lower dollar ranges. For example, the fundraising campaign initiator can move the slider  103  for such desired ranges further to the right so that the number displayed in counter  107  for that range is greater than 1 (for example, 5). The total for each range that will be received if all fundraising amounts are contributed for that range will be shown automatically in sum display  109 . Each dollar amount within that range may be donated as many times as is shown in counter  107 . After that number of individual donations for that dollar amount have been reached, the donor will be required to choose a different donation amount. Optionally, the donor also can add to the donated amount at checkout. 
         [0045]    In another example, if the fundraising campaign initiator understands that the fundraising support is likely to come from a population of those with more money to donate, the fundraising campaign initiator can eliminate the lower dollar ranges (for example, the entire range can be turned off), and increase the number of times each dollar amount can be contributed in the higher dollar ranges. For example, if dollar ranges below $100 are “turned off,” and the number shown in each shown in counter  107  for each dollar amount between $100 and $1000 is 1, if all 900 dollar amounts are donated the fundraising campaign will raise $495,450. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the fundraising campaign initiator may also be asked to provide a story behind the fundraising campaign. Additionally, the fundraising campaign initiator may be asked to provide a category for the campaign, for example, animals; children; veterans; health; education; poverty; or the like. This category may be used in the future by donors to select a fundraiser. In one embodiment, the fundraising campaign initiator may also provide images, videos, URL links, or the like that are related to the campaign. The fundraising campaign initiator may also be asked to provide an end date for the campaign. 
         [0047]    When a donor enters the fundraising system, the donor may search for a fundraiser using word searches or category searches. The donor may then be asked to select a range for their donation, for example $11-$25; $26-$50; $51-$100, or the like. After selecting a range, dollar amounts within the range may be available for the donor to select. After each dollar amount within the range is accounted for, the range may be closed to future donors. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  shows graphical user interface  20 . Graphical user interface  20  comprises an algorithmically driven “Success Tool” according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The Success Tool shown in  FIG. 2  is designed to measure the likelihood of success of a fundraising campaign based on weighting given to answers of a series of questions posed to the fundraising campaign initiator, including, for example:
       How many potential donors do you have in your database?   How many people do you have following you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn?   How far in advance do you plan to promote the launch of your campaign?   Do you have your top 10% of gifts pre-committed?   Will you target 90% more people than you need to reach your goal?   Do you have a communication/marketing plan for your campaign?   Do you have a marketing video for your campaign?   Do you have marketing pictures for your campaign?   Do you have a thank you plan for your donors?   What percentage of your donors regularly give or shop online?   Will you be posting 3-5 times a day on your social media to promote your campaign, updates, and general info about your work with the link to the campaign?   Do 75% or more of your donors give online?   Will you spend at least a month preparing for the public launch of your campaign (creating videos, photos, posts, building social media followers and building a team that will own portions of the campaign)?   Have you built a team to help promote the campaign through various channels?       
 
         [0063]    As the fundraising campaign initiator completes the questions, the Success Tool shown in  FIG. 2  will automatically adjust to show their likelihood of success of the succeeding fundraising campaign. A low score will not prohibit the fundraising campaign initiator from launching the fundraising campaign, but hopefully it will make them stop and revamp fundraising campaign for more likely success. In at least one embodiment, the Success Tool will also be intuitive, revising its assessment of the fundraiser initiators answers based on past failure or success rates of similar campaigns. 
         [0064]    According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, system and tools for organizing and running fundraising campaigns may comprise an Influencer Score based on, for example, a user&#39;s sharing of fundraising campaigns, a user&#39;s giving to fundraising campaigns, and/or a user&#39;s starting fundraising campaigns. In at least one embodiment, such an Influencer Score will also track a user&#39;s likes and dislikes as a component of the Influencer Score, and make recommendations for fundraising campaigns on Influencer Score or a component thereof. In at least one embodiment, a user may receive “Badges” or other electronic award indicia based on the user&#39;s Influencer Score and/or other activities relating to fundraising campaigns. In at least one embodiment, such “Badges” will interface with third party social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and/or the like. 
         [0065]    According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, system and tools for organizing and running fundraising campaigns may include games designed to increase charitable gift size and/or frequency, or designed to raise additional awareness and funds for the organizations undertaking fundraising campaigns. 
         [0066]    According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, system and tools for organizing and running fundraising campaigns may include enterprise software functionality. In an embodiment, such functionality facilitates use of system and tools according to the present disclosure by national or multinational chapter based charitable organizations. For example, such an embodiment may include functionality for donor management, for competition between chapters, and for routine (e.g., monthly) giving, to name a few nonlimiting examples. 
         [0067]    The various capabilities, functions, functionality, and features of a system and tools for organizing and running fundraising campaigns according to the embodiments disclosed herein and the various configuration and programming recited herein and in the claims may be performed by computer software and/or computer hardware. Such computer software may be written in a well-known language such as, for example, Basic, C, C++, Fortran, JavaScript, Java, Pascal, PERL, HTML, XML, Python, Jango, or SQL, or a combination of any of the foregoing or the equivalents thereof. At least one embodiment may be developed as a Microsoft ASP.NET web application. 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , it is shown an architecture diagram detailing components of a system  200  according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. System  200  comprises user device  203 , server  201 , database  202 , and computer network  205 . For purposes of clarity, only one user device  203  is shown in  FIG. 3 . However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the system  200  may any number of user devices  203  at one time. 
         [0069]    The user device  203  may be configured to transmit information to and generally interact with a web services infrastructure housed on server  201  over computer network  205 . The user device  203  may include a web browser, mobile application, or other network connected software such that communication with the web services infrastructure on server  201  is possible over the computer network  205 . User device  203  includes one or more computers, smartphones, tablets, wearable technology, computing devices, or systems of a type well known in the art, such as a mainframe computer, workstation, personal computer, laptop computer, hand-held computer, cellular telephone, or personal digital assistant. User device  203  comprises such software, hardware, and componentry as would occur to one of skill in the art, such as, for example, one or more microprocessors, memory systems, input/output devices, device controllers, and the like. User device  203  also comprises one or more data entry means (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) operable by users of user device  203  for data entry, such as, for example, a pointing device (such as a mouse), keyboard, touchscreen, microphone, voice recognition, and/or other data entry means known in the art. User device  203  also comprises a display means (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) which may comprise various types of known displays such as liquid crystal diode displays, light emitting diode display, and the like upon which information may be display in a manner perceptible to the user. 
         [0070]    As described above, the server  201  may be configured to receive username and password, biographical information, images, content, and other information from the user device  203  to establish a profile and assorted content for someone&#39;s life. In at least one embodiment, the server  201  accesses the database  202  to store information, content and other data transmitted from the user device  203  or generated through its interaction with the server  201  in the methods and disclosed herein. The server  201  is configured to carry out one or more of the steps of methods described herein. 
         [0071]    The user device  203  is further configured to provide input to the server  201  to carry out one or more of the steps of the methods described herein. Server  201  comprises one or more server computers, computing devices, or systems of a type known in the art. Server  201  further comprises such software, hardware, and componentry as would occur to one of skill in the art, such as, for example, microprocessors, memory systems, input/output devices, device controllers, display systems, and the like. Server  201  may comprise one of many well-known servers and/or platforms, such as, for example, IBM&#39;s AS/400 Server, RedHat Linux, IBM&#39;s AIX UNIX Server, MICROSOFT&#39;s WINDOWS NT Server, AWS Cloud services, Rackspace cloud services, any infrastructure as a service provider, or any platform as a service provider. 
         [0072]    In  FIG. 3 , server  201  is shown and referred to herein as a single server. However, server  201  may comprise a plurality of servers, virtual infrastructure, or other computing devices or systems interconnected by hardware and software systems know in the art which collectively are operable to perform the functions allocated to server  201  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         [0073]    The database  202  is configured to store biographical data, content, and other information. Database  202  is “associated with” server  201 . According to the present disclosure, database  202  can be “associated with” server  201  where, as shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 3 , database  202  resides on server  201 . Database  202  can also be “associated with” server  201  where database  202  resides on a server or computing device remote from server  201 , provided that the remote server or computing device is capable of bi-directional data transfer with server  201 , such as, for example, in Amazon AWS, Rackspace, or other virtual infrastructure, or any business network. In at least one embodiment, the remote server or computing device upon which database  202  resides is electronically connected to server  201  such that the remote server or computing device is capable of continuous bi-directional data transfer with server  201 . 
         [0074]    For purposes of clarity, database  202  is shown in  FIG. 3 , and referred to herein as a single database. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that database  202  may comprise a plurality of databases connected by software systems of a type well known in the art, which collectively are operable to perform the functions delegated to database  202  according to the present disclosure. Database  202  may comprise a relational database architecture or other database architecture of a type known in the database art. Database  202  may comprise one of many well-known database management systems, such as, for example, MICROSOFT&#39;s SQL Server, MICROSOFT&#39;s ACCESS, or IBM&#39;s DB2 database management systems, or the database management systems available from ORACLE or SYBASE. Database  202  retrievably stores information that is communicated to database  202  from user device  203  or server  201 . 
         [0075]    User device  203  and server  201  communicate via computer network  205 . If database  202  is in disparate infrastructure from server  201 , database  202  may communicate with server  201  via computer network  205 . Computer network  205  may comprise the Internet, but this is not required. 
         [0076]    While this disclosure has been described as having a preferred design, the systems and methods according to the present disclosure can be further modified within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. For example, the methods disclosed herein and in the appended claims represent one possible sequence of performing the steps thereof. A practitioner may determine in a particular implementation that a plurality of steps of one or more of the disclosed methods may be combinable, or that a different sequence of steps may be employed to accomplish the same results. Each such implementation falls within the scope of the present disclosure as disclosed herein and in the appended claims. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 3