Fundraising is as challenging as it is rewarding. Raising money for an institution, college or charity that you care about is emotionally and spiritually rewarding. Plus, fundraising really makes the most of your creativity, communication skills, organizational abilities and tenacity. It's a fabulous job for well-rounded people.

Unfortunately, raising funds can take up an incredible amount of your time and energy. It sometimes feels as if you are expected to be available to donors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Fortunately, intelligent fund-raisers are starting to catch on to the power of the Internet. With the help of the Internet and good shopping cart software, it's not only possible to be available to donors 24/7, it's easy .

Passive Fundraising

Fund-raisers will tell you that there is very little about fundraising that is passive. Whether you are busy creating unusual solutions or calling potential donors, raising money is hands-on work. However, with online shopping carts, it doesn't have to be.

If you add a shopping cart to your organization's website, people can donate any time of day or night. They can feel safe and secure using their credit card to send you their donations. Even better, your organization can then send that donor a monthly newsletter updating him or her to all the good your group is doing. Since this newsletter is fully automated, it's very easy to keep your people in the loop.