Funraising events have always been a good way to raise money and gather support for your nonprofit’s chosen cause. But due to Covid-19 and social distancing restrictions, many of these in-person events have been postponed or cancelled.
A year on since the outbreak of coronavirus, charities and other nonprofit organisations are having to adapt and find innovative ways of fundraising. One way to do this is by moving your planned in-person campaign online by hosting a virtual fundraising event. Thanks to the internet and the improvements in online video technology, there are now plenty of solutions for hosting an online fundraiser remotely.
But apart from the obvious, why should your charity host a fundraising event, and what benefit is it to you?
What’s the difference between a virtual fundraising event and an in-person one?
The most obvious difference between the two types of event is that a virtual fundraising event is hosted online and not in-person. Rather than meeting supporters face-to-face and holding speeches with large audiences, everything is done online via streaming platforms, virtual auctions or video calls.
However, the goal remains the same. Your charity can still raise money by inviting donors and supporters to join in your stream, participate and donate in your virtual event. Arguably, they give your nonprofit, and your donors, more flexibility. But why? Take a look at some of the benefits below.
Reasons why your charity should host a virtual fundraising event
If your charity has never hosted a virtual fundraising event before, it can seem a bit daunting when it comes to organising one. However, they’re pretty easy to plan, and they also come with many added benefits that you just don’t get from a traditional in-person fundraiser.
Here’s some reasons why your charity should host one:
Reduced costs
With large in-person fundraising events, you have to worry about costs. This can be anything from venue hire and catering fees, to transport and utility costs. With a virtual fundraising event, you can save your charity both money and time, as you’re not having to pay for any of these things. Instead, you can focus on raising funds for your cause through your online fundraiser.
Reach new supporters
One of the main reasons why you should host a virtual fundraiser is that they make your event more accessible to new supporters. It opens your event up to people who may not have been able to participate before, as they have an internet connection. Virtual fundraisers allow your supporters to join in and donate to your nonprofit’s campaign, no matter where they are in the world.
Increase donor engagement
With virtual fundraising events, you have an abundance of options when it comes to keeping your donors engaged with your charity. Virtual platforms give attendees the opportunity to participate in polls, group chats and conversations, as well as making it easier to find relevant resources about your campaign. Whether it’s through hashtags or donation trackers, virtual fundraising events are a great way to engage and convert prospective donors into supporters of your charity.
Create more sponsorship opportunities
The entry barrier for sponsors at in-person events can be pretty high, due to delivering supplies, making t-shirts, printing banners, and so on. On the other hand, digital sponsorship can easily be set up with a simple monetary contribution and the distribution of your charity’s branding assets. Virtual fundraisers also give smaller businesses and organisations the opportunity to sponsor and join your cause, as things like staff and budgets for live events are not needed.
Fundraising Everywhere can help you plan your own virtual fundraiser
Planning your own virtual fundraising event involves a lot of time and skill, so if you’re looking for external support with your fundraising efforts, Fundraising Everywhere are here to help.
Through virtual conferences, monthly webinars and virtual support, we connect you directly to the proven methods, people, and new ideas that are guaranteed to help you raise more money. This means you can learn wherever you are, in your own time, and at an affordable price. If you’re interested in finding out how we can support you, get in touch with us today.