A Nonprofit’s Not-So-Traditional Guide to Virtual Fundraising Events

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A virtual fundraising event.

Would you go?

What would be the factors that excite you to sign up – and then attend versus catching up the latest Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ show you’re bingeing?

This is a great time to throw all the “well last year” and “but, we always” phrases out the window! Byeeeee!

It’s time to innovate. It’s time to really look at our Purpose and WHY.

Remove the gala tables and seated dinners – what does it all come down to?

Community and relationships.

It’s all really about engaging with people to celebrate and raise support for the causes we love.

Instead of the $$$ poured into traditional galas, this is a time to make that money go much further!

Here’s a few examples in the past few weeks of fundraising events going virtual:

Washington Performing Arts Gala

They pivoted their in-person events in 3 DAYS. During the live event, they raised 93% of their live auction goal, 118% of their silent auction goal, and 56% of their paddle raise goal. This was a full production with cameras, crew, staff, and performers before social-distancing came into action. They did a full debrief on how this all came together here. 

MOSTe

MOSTe hosted a 35-minute virtual happy hour using GoToWebinar and raised $12,000!

Dressember

Dressember is holding a virtual 5k (that I’m participating in) on May 2nd. You can sign up to fundraise through their website and create an advocacy page for friends and family to support you. I LOVE that Dressember provides impact numbers showcasing how much $$ = X impact.

Looking to get creative?

Canceling an event you’ve worked SO hard on is really difficult. Maybe planning a whole new event right now isn’t the way to go.

Get your message, mission, and needs out there by launching a Co-Branded Digital Series with sponsors.

A WHAT? 

Co-Branded Digital Series = a series of live or on-demand videos to share with your followers that are supported by or co-created with sponsors.

I share more about the HOW and WHY in the video below.

 

How can you uniquely bring together your community and excite others to join you in supporting your cause?