Staff Incentives

There's a mod that puts how much money you need and how close you've gotten to your goal on your forum homepage (I forget what it is called, but I can get the link if you want it). Maybe that'll encourage your members to help out.

 

Savage that would be awesome

 

There are a couple, I think:

AWCoding- Donation System - vBulletin.org Forum
Donation Progress Bar-Forumhome - vBulletin.org Forum
Cyb - PayPal Donate - vBulletin.org Forum

 

Thanks so much, i'll look into them now

 

Rizzo, there's nothing wrong with straight-up asking your members for donations. It's the approach of doing so that is the key element. Saying "I need money for the site, pay now" obviously won't work.
But being totally open and honest with your community about the situation will yield success (given that you have a dedicated memberbase). Just elaborate as to 1) what the financial requirements of maintaining the site are 2) what your current status with the site is (in terms of finances) and 3) how your members can help. Just be honest, and they will know.

 

Thank you - i have installed a donations bar now, we'll see if it helps.

 

And for reference (in which you may be interested), I consider this to be one of the best-put donation drive announcements I've ever seen - very honest and open: Talk Budgies 1st Annual Donation Drive - Talk Budgies Forums. It worked for them in a matter of a few days ($750).

 

Thanks, i'll take a look. I really appreciate everyone's help, i don't want to have to close it down

 

You won't have to. Best of luck!

 

All VIP features, currently valued at around $5 a month.

I like some of the ideas here though; basic hosting would be a pretty sweet perk.