Fundraising During a Pandemic: Ideas & Inspiration

Fundraising organizations have had to get creative during this pandemic, and either bring their in-person events online, or come up with entirely new and different events to stand out. Because let’s face it; a Zoom presentation can’t take the place of a formal gala in a glitzy ballroom.

Creative fundraisers are instead organizing “peer-to-peer” challenges, displays of talent, games and competitions (Rock Band and Mario Kart!), auctions, shopping opportunities, and more.

Some of these programs work relatively well as solo activities, like walkathons, bike rides, or other physical challenges that include requesting donations from friends and family. Activities that can be done together by people in the same household, like scavenger hunts, also work well.

Since several of our clients rely on fundraising to generate revenue, we’re paying attention to novel approaches. Here are some examples that we like.

Live Entertainment

It’s almost as good as being there. If you have access to talent that’s willing to perform to a home-based audience, there are new, interactive platforms springing up to help produce these online events. Britesiders, for example, runs events via streaming video and offers unique campaign management tools. They’ve facilitated concerts and comedy shows for nonprofits like MusicCares, Black Girls Code, The Trevor Project, and the Bail Project.

Online Auctions

Place your bid! Other organizations have held online auctions, leaving the heavy logistical lifting to online platforms. BiddingForGood has managed auctions for 10,000 charities to-date, including the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Home for Boys and Girls, and the Hudson River Museum.

The Simple Ask

In certain circumstances, the direct approach is the most effective and time-efficient. Food banks (in Connecticut, New York, and Utah) and hospitals (e.g. Brigham and Women’s Hospital) are sending to-the-point emails pleading the case that they’re providing much-needed services through the pandemic. They’re hitting a nerve, and generating online donations.

Don’t Forget to Say Thanks

Thank-a-thons aren’t new, but the low-tech, high-touch effect of calling or writing to donors works especially well during a time when personal contact is so restricted. The Oregon Tech Athletics department held their very first thank-a-thon this year, making phone calls and sending hand-written postcards to their donor list. The goal with these campaigns is to create ongoing and residual goodwill more so than generating quick income.

Webinars and online forums are still important too; but they’re a lot of work to plan, promote, air, and follow up. BBG&G can help: https://bbggadv.com/marketing-capabilities/webinar-package/

By Traci, Marketing Manager / Content Strategist | August 24, 2020