Virtual Fundraising and Social Distancing - a guide
With fundraisers and activities cancelled by the pandemic, it's time to be innovative to make up for missing funds.
Donors still understand that your work is important, especially during a time of crisis. This article presents ideas for remote fundraising events, with suggestions for the right technology and partnerships, to ensure that your fundraiser is a hit!
1) Remote dinners
This option is proving popular, with many organizations such as Parkinson Quebec launching remote dinner events. Here are our tips for making sure your virtual dinner is a real success:
Using basic technologies
The most frequent choice is to use a video conference solution such as Zoom, with a ticket office for NPOs such as Simplyk (a free ticketing platform). Eventbrite or Paypal can also be used if you are indifferent to fees. The direct connection is easy to set up, so that each participant is registered for dinner on Zoom as soon as they have registered on Simplyk!
Who's cooking?
Once you've decided on the theme of dinner, here are four innovative ideas to make your donors feel invited to dinner:
Ask someone to do a cooking class. Why not a guest chef?
Send standard boxes ready to cook. The ingredients and recipes are already in the box, and you can partner with Quebec companies like Cook-it or GoodFood.
Team up with a local restaurant that delivers. We know that local businesses have been massively impacted, so they'll be happy to participate and be valued.
If it is the participants who are cooking, a competition might be the motivation they need!
Simplyk used to share offices with Cookit; contact us and we can put you in touch.
Propose a Zoom theme, with a dress code
It is very easy to provide a background for participants. With zoom, you can even send images to participants so that they choose the one they prefer. (Zoom fund ideas here)
If you combine this with a dress code, your participants will feel like they're there!
Activities?
Small rooms can be organized in Zoom, so that your participants can network in subgroups.
Many artists including radio can offer a monologue.
Involve your board, your volunteers and all of your collaborators! You can join an auction! (see example 3)
Any other ideas? Write to [email protected] to share them! She's our specialist. To start, create an account on Simplyk.io.
2) Sport events
Obviously it is difficult to organize a race or a walk at the moment, but rest assured, there are solutions! It's still possible for all of your donors to walk, run or exercise at home!
The Strava application allows everyone to track the number of kilometers traveled, the time spent doing yoga, or even the workouts completed. Set up a Strava club in a few minutes to gather your donors and launch challenges.
With Simplyk, each person will be able to carry out an agne camp with a goal of donations to collect and link a sports goal! It is 100% free of charge and easy to set up.
Questions about this? Contact the sports events expert [email protected] or create an account on simplyk.
3) Auctions and how to organize them
There are two innovative solutions for remote auctions, ensuring that 100% of the donations come back to you at the end.
The first is to make an auction where each person raises the bids on Zoom. At the end you put the right price in your Simplyk ticket office and the person pays online! You can also use online auction platforms if you are ready to take on large fees.
The second is to make a silent auction based on donations! Of course you have to adapt the lot number and the values, but here is the concept:
You present an object with emotional or artistic value, and each person makes the donation of their choice to the organization. The person who makes the largest donation receives the lot, and the others receive tax receipts!
Your donors love the game, but remember they are primarily there to support you.
Any questions about this? Contact the auction expert [email protected] or create an account on Simplyk.
4) Other Ideas!
Organize free activities and suggest that donors support you with a voluntary or suggested contribution. The result is always impressive!
Organize a fake radio show with a real presenter.
Have a board game evening on gameboardarena.com.
Organize a virtual garage sale. Each of your donors sell stuff they no longer need on facebook or on kijiji, and profits goes to the organization! (Be careful to respect social distancing guidelines when you deliver.)
5) Cultural Organizations
Many museums and theaters use Simplyk, and sometimes feel that, because they are not on the front line, they shouldn't ask for donations. Yet, more than ever, art and culture are missing from our confined lives, and your donors and members are still out there.
Here are some actions implemented by NPOs:
The Théâtre la Bordée offered a live facebook performance
A museum will offer donors a supper, which includes a presentation of photos of works of art.
Another theater is launching a podcast.
Finally, a museum will share archive images.
If you have financial needs, then suggest that donors make a contribution. You will be amazed at how generous people are. The reason ? You offer quality :)
If your organization is in the cultural sector, don't be afraid to offer voluntary contributions when you offer quality content.
Remember that your donors pay Netflix etc ... they will be ready to pay for your quality content :)
Any questions?
You can create your campaigns in 5 minutes with Simplyk. It's 100% free, meaning that all the donations you collect really go to your mission!
Contact us at [email protected] !
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