Are you planning a fundraiser and looking for a creative way to track your progress? A fundraising thermometer in Excel can be an excellent visual tool to motivate your team and donors. In this guide, we'll walk you through step-by-step on how to create a fundraising thermometer in Excel that is engaging and easy to update.
Before we dive into the steps, ensure you have a basic understanding of Excel, including how to add charts and adjust data. Let's get started!
Setting Up Your Excel Sheet
Begin by opening a new Excel worksheet and naming it 'Fundraising Thermometer'. In this sheet, you'll need two columns: one for the donor names or sources (Column A), and another for the corresponding donations (Column B). You can label these headers as 'Donor' and 'Amount', respectively.
For instance, if you receive a donation of $50 from John Doe, you would enter 'John Doe' in cell A2 and '50' in cell B2. You can adjust the cell formatting to display the amount in your preferred currency format.
Creating a Data Range for Your Thermometer
You'll need to create a data range that can accurately calculate the total funds raised. In cell C2, enter the formula "=SUM(B2:B100)", adjusting the range as needed. This formula will automatically sum up all the donations in column B and display the total in cell C2.
Since the thermometer requires a maximum amount, enter this value in cell D2. This will be the total goal you aim to reach with your fundraiser. For example, if your goal is $10,000, enter '10000' (without the currency symbol) in cell D2.
Designing Your Thermometer
Now that you have your data set up, it's time to create the thermometer itself. In a new worksheet, create a shape that resembles a thermometer using the 'Insert' tab and 'Shape' feature. You can adjust the shape's size, color, and position as needed.
Position the shape so that the 'thermometer bar' aligns with cells C2 and D2. This bar will represent the funds raised relative to your goal, updating in real-time as you receive donations.
Adding a Chart to Your Thermometer
A chart can provide a clear visual representation of your fundraising progress. Continue in the same worksheet where you created the thermometer shape.
Select the data range (C2:D2), click on the 'Insert' tab, and then click on the 'Column' chart icon. Choose a 2D Clustered Column chart to create a engaging and simple thermometer display.
Formatting Your Chart
Once your chart is inserted, right-click on it and select 'Format Selection'. In the popping up panel, adjust the 'Series' to match the colors of your thermometer shape. You can also adjust the 'Axis' to remove unwanted graph elements, such as the vertical axis.
Finally, right-click on the legend, select 'Format Legend', and click 'None' to remove the legend from the chart. Now, your fundraising thermometer should be complete and ready to use.
Updating Your Thermometer
As you receive donations, update the corresponding cells in column B. Watch as your thermometer bar grows in real-time, reflecting the progress toward your fundraising goal. To update the chart, simply click on any cell within the chart's data range, and it will automatically recalculate and display the new information.
You can share your Excel sheet with your team or display it at your fundraising events to keep everyone engaged and motivated. Happy fundraising!
Now that you've created an interactive fundraising thermometer in Excel, it's time to put it to use and watch your donations grow. Keep updating the sheet as you receive contributions, and watch your bar fill up! Good luck with your fundraising efforts.