Strengthening the Sustainability of Community-Based Turtle Conservation Funding in Bali through Digital Fundraising Strategies and Social Media Digital Marketing

Abstract

Community-involved turtle conservation plays a crucial role in preserving endangered marine species and increasing public awareness of the environment. The success of these conservation initiatives is linked not only to conservation efforts but also to the continuity of funding that supports conservation activities. This study aims to analyze the potential of digital fundraising strategies and digital marketing through social media to strengthen the sustainability of community-based turtle conservation funding at the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) in Serangan Village, Bali. This study used a descriptive qualitative approach through field observations conducted during the 2026 International Community Service (ICS) program. Data were collected through participant observation, informal discussions with conservation managers, and documentation of conservation activities. The results indicate that the sustainability of conservation activities still relies on internal funding and visitor donations, while the utilization of digital fundraising strategies has not been optimal. Proposed strategies include implementing a digital fundraising platform, optimizing social media through storytelling content, and collaborating with various parties to increase public participation and fundraising effectiveness. This research demonstrates that the integration of crowdfunding platforms, QR-based donations, storytelling content, social media campaigns, influencer collaboration, and community engagement strategies has the potential to increase fundraising effectiveness while expanding public participation in conservation. Digital marketing not only increases financial support but also strengthens environmental education and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The research findings indicate that the integration of digital fundraising and social media marketing has the potential to strengthen funding sustainability while increasing public participation in supporting community-based turtle conservation in Bali.