The concept is simple. Malaria is a leading killer of children in Africa, but it is also an extremely preventable disease. For $10, an insecticide-treated bed net can be purchased and distributed to a family in Africa to protect them from malaria-carrying mosquitoes. "Send a net. Save a life."
With this simple premise, the United Nations Foundation created a hugely successful campaign called Nothing But Nets. In October of 2006, they launched their website and proceeded to raise more than $2 million - 66% of it online - over the first six months. Nothing But Nets just celebrated their two-year anniversary and to date they have raised more than $20 million.
How did they do it? The Nothing But Nets campaign was inspired by sports columnist Rick Reilly and his column titled "Nothing But Nets" in which he asked his readers to give $10 to send a net to a child in Africa. Within a few weeks, more than $1 million was raised. The momentum continued with the help of founding partners - the United Nations Foundation, the people of The United Methodist Church, NBA Cares, and Sports Illustrated - who all reached out to their supporters and asked them to send nets and save lives.
Another big part of Nothing But Nets' success is their innovative use of Artez's Major Event Module. Donors are encouraged to become "Netraisers," and raise money through their personal networks - a fundraising approach traditionally used for pledge-based events. It has worked extremely well for this non-event, however, especially as high profile spokespeople and partner organizations have become Netraisers and formed fundraising teams. The results have been exponential, as more and more Netraisers create, join or donate to teams through Artez everyday.
“Artez has been really great to work with,” says Shannon Raybold, Internet Director for the project. “The Solution really helps people to stay involved, and helps us to nurture the most active participants. They are also really wonderful about customer service, which is essential with a project of this size.”
Clearly, Nothing But Nets is a case study for what is possible in online fundraising. And there’s nothing Artez loves more than supporting innovative fundraising.
