Online engagement is crucial for nonprofit organizations this year and beyond. The movement to host more virtual events and fundraise in the virtual space has been slowly picking up speed for years. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it has secured a spot as an incredibly effective way to raise money. This unforeseen period brought forth a transition from in-person to virtual fundraisers almost overnight.
With that said, virtual fundraisers will be a mainstay in fundraising strategies going forward. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, your event plans won’t be entirely virtual. Still, it’s valuable to offer varying forms of virtual engagement options due to the variety of benefits they provide for nonprofit organizations.
According to Snowball’s guide to virtual fundraising, virtual-friendly events have a broader reach than in-person events, meaning you’re able to include people from across the world, not just donors who happen to live in your community. Plus, there are excellent and cost-effective ways to implement virtual fundraising software that will help your team raise more. Read on for five of our favorite event ideas:
- Virtual Auction
- Virtual Gala
- Crowdfunding
- Matching Gifts Drive
- Virtual 5k
This year and beyond, virtual fundraising is here to stay. If you haven’t yet hosted a wide range of virtual fundraising events, now is definitely the time to test the waters. You might find an extremely popular virtual event that grows to be an annual tradition for your organization! Let’s dive in.
Virtual Auction
A popular option for virtual fundraising is to take your auction event online. Auctions run well in the virtual space when organizations use dedicated software designed specifically for these types of events. Your tools will need to be able to facilitate:
- The ability to advertise your items in advance
- Real-time bidding
- Guest check-in
- Data capture from the registration process
- Live-stream functionality
Virtual auction software providers also can help your team configure your online space, also known as your auction event site. To raise money with a virtual auction, there are two different formats for hosting it online successfully.
Traditional Virtual Auction
For your online auction, be sure to capture registrants and set up space online for them to view the items you’re offering beforehand through your software provider. Be sure to communicate the live stream link for your virtual auction and date and time information so everyone can join.
Consider auctioning off things that relate to your mission and typical donor base. For example, include themed baskets and gift cards, in addition to higher-ticket items to ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
Virtual Silent Auction
In a virtual silent auction, audience members will bid during a set time frame through your event site. Be sure to offer ways for guests to give to your organization throughout the event, in addition to their bid. Many organizations host live streamed events as the grand finales to their extended silent auctions.
Reduced overhead costs and the expanded reach to an online audience can make both approaches great choices. With virtual auction software, you’re able to host a traditional or silent auction in a way that is as, if not more, successful than an in-person auction event.
Virtual Gala
To take your online fundraising events to the next level, transition your traditionally in-person events to the virtual sphere. A virtual gala can invite new donors worldwide to experience your organization and learn more about it.
Traditionally, galas are involved events with caterers and venues that can take a lot out of your budget. To mitigate this, set a fun theme, and encourage your attendees to dress up accordingly. Here are some themes to consider:
- The nearest holiday on the calendar
- Choose a decade
- Masquerade
- Vacation-themed
To successfully host this event, be sure to send invites to your current donor base as though it were an in-person event to evoke excitement. Then, encourage attendees to share the gala online with their networks to encourage new people to tune in regardless of location. Make sure to encourage donations and provide the donation page link to your virtual gala live stream. Be sure to have a fun host and music to go along with your event!
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding campaigns are gaining popularity online, as many go viral and are easily shareable with social media networks. The main idea of crowdfunding campaigns is to collect small donations from a large donor crowd, allowing fundraising dollars to add up quickly.
Here’s how:
- Create a crowdfunding page
- The first step to hosting a crowdfunding campaign is to choose a host platform for your campaign. Choose one that allows you to track your progress easily, provides data on who is giving to your cause, and offers ways to communicate with them after the fundraising period has ended. For provider recommendations, refer to Snowball’s guide to the most highly recommended crowdfunding sites.
- Design your crowdfunding campaign page
After you’ve chosen a platform, your team will need to design your fundraising page. Some key elements include:
- A thorough explanation of your mission
- A description of your campaign and goals
- Your organization’s website and social media information
When you implement these elements, your donors will learn more about your cause and are likely to continue their support.
Encourage social media shares
Once your crowdfunding page is up and running, you must encourage your supporters and followers to share it with their social media networks. This can take your campaign from good to great. The more it’s shared, the more people will donate, and the more successful the campaign will be.
With these few steps, you’ll be crowdfunding your campaign online in no time. Remember, crowdfunding campaigns work best when they’re for concrete, tangible projects. This gives donors a concrete idea of what they’re supporting and gives them something to look forward to after your campaign.
Matching Gifts Drive
When your organization hosts a matching gifts drive, you’re raising money through donations backed by your supporter’s employers. Many companies pledge to match contributions to encourage giving and help push organizations’ missions forward.
However, many individuals are eligible for matching gifts but aren’t aware they have access to them. Here’s how to make the most out of this opportunity:
Find a matching gift database. Your organization can embed such a tool directly on your online donation page or your confirmation page. In the last step, it’ll let your supporter know if they’re eligible for a matching program.
Make your supporters aware of matching gift opportunities and encourage them to research their eligibility. For example, sending email announcements explaining matching gift programs or highlighting them in your monthly newsletter can bring awareness to your matching gift efforts.
Keep the embedded database on your site throughout your fundraising seasons, and earn more money for your cause!
With these simple steps, your team can help your loyal supporters realize their eligibility for corporate gift matching. This virtual fundraiser has untapped potential for helping your organization reach its fundraising goals. Plus, it can lay valuable foundations for continued relationships with generous businesses in your community.
Virtual 5k
A virtual 5K is the perfect example of a commonly in-person fundraising event turned into a digital one in a few easy steps. Runners raising money through pledges remains the same process and is just as effective. All that is different about this event is that supporters run their own chosen course, record their time, and submit it to your team.
To organize and host a virtual 5K event, you’ll need to find software to help your runners collect pledges on their pages. You’ll want one that is easy to use and has multiple share options across social media platforms.
Once your pledge page provider is secured, promote your event on social media and your website. Because runners can participate in your virtual 5K event anywhere in the world, be sure to pick a window like a weekend or a week to host your event. This way, everyone can participate and contribute to your cause.
Whether you’re hosting a crowdfunding campaign to quickly raise money for your initiative or hosting a virtual 5K, the possibilities for virtual fundraisers are endless. This guide can offer even more creative ideas than the five listed in this article.
As COVID-19 has taught us, virtual fundraising expands your audience and boosts revenue. Ensure that it’s a part of your fundraising strategy, even as we move away from the pandemic for the most optimal results! Happy virtual fundraising.
Guest Author: John Killora
John Killoran is an inventor, entrepreneur, and the Chairman of Clover Leaf Solutions, a national lab services company. He currently leads Clover Leaf’s investment in Snowball Fundraising, an online fundraising platform for nonprofit organizations.
Snowball was one of John’s first public innovations; it’s a fundraising platform that offers text-to-give, online giving, events, and peer-to-peer fundraising tools for nonprofits. By making giving simple, Snowball increases the donations that these organizations can raise online. The Snowball effect is real! John founded Snowball in 2011. Now, it serves over 7,000 nonprofits and is the #1 nonprofit fundraising platform.
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