Virtual Fundraising & Charitable Events
Fundraising has always been a challenge, but never more so than during COVID-19. It’s tough to go out and ask for money when people’s pocketbooks have taken a hit. And, the need for social distancing makes in-person events that draw large crowds impossible. But, it is still possible to raise funds for your charity or one that is near and dear to your heart, and be successful with a virtual fundraiser! Here are a few of the ways you can make virtual fundraising work for you…
Host a Virtual Charitable Team Building Event
It’s important now more than ever for companies to keep their employees engaged and connected. Not only to one another but to the company’s culture, including what it stands for with regards to the community. Achieve these connections by hosting a virtual charitable team building event!
If you are a charity, companies may not be able to make a large donation during difficult economic times. But, they may have the funds to register a team for a smaller amount, so they can participate in a virtual charitable team building event where they compete against other companies for a prize or bragging rights!
If you are a company wanting to provide the feel-good factor that comes with sponsoring a corporate social responsibility or giveback event – that your team needs that more than ever right now – but are at a loss as to how to do so when you can’t go to a location to do hands-on work, have your team compete in a virtual charitable team building event. For instance, in our Donation Quest event, teams must answer questions about charitable giving and complete fun photo and video tasks that put the spotlight on giving back. Every level teams unlock before time is up results in a donation to a charity of your choosing, which is also spotlighted during the game.
Donation Quest
A Virtual Company Fundraising Event
Create A Fun Virtual Run or Walk For Charity
This could be as easy as challenging participants to log a 5K run/walk of their choosing by taking photos of the area they’re trekking in along the way and then snapping a photo of their fitness tracker to prove they completed it. Or, it could be more in-depth, such as creating a version that participants can download onto their own phone in your community. For instance, in our virtual fun runs, participants head out to GPS hotspots on the on-screen map to unlock fitness-related challenges, such as questions about fitness or the charity, or a physical task such as capturing a video of themselves doing 10 jumping jacks. The nice part is the virtual 5K for charity can be left open for an unlimited length of time vs. just one day for a couple of hours as in a traditional fun run, people can do this on their own time and it naturally spreads people out along the course. Virtual races for charity are a great way to engage employees in team building while promoting charity and employee fitness.
Host a Virtual Contest to Raise Funds for Charity
Something as simple as selling limited tickets for an amazing prize that will be raffled off can do the trick. Or, invite participants to take part in a fun game for the chance to win a prize. This is the ideal time to host something like this as everyone is looking for ways to be entertained at home right now! Something like a Virtual Escape Room where players see if they can escape before time is up by solving a variety of clues and puzzles may create a lot of buzz and receive a lot of entry money for your charity. Teams that break out before time is up are eligible for a prize, or award a prize to the team that breaks out the quickest and with the most points!
Put On A Different Kind of Charitable Gala and Entertain Guests Virtually
You may not be able to host a dinner and an awards banquet this year. But, this could actually be a blessing. Save money that would have been spent on a venue, food and beverage, and décor by hosting a virtual gala! But, still implement what makes the gala a delight – social interaction, getting dressed up, and helping others. Send out virtual invitations. Invite people to get out of their sweats and wear their finest, or come in costume for a themed gala. Book a virtual entertainer, such as a high-energy DJ that plays as guests “arrive” and who can get people up and dancing in front of their computer, a comedian, or a magician. Instead of serving guests a meal, invite them to make their own as a celebrity chef shows them how (send out a list of ingredients beforehand). Or, host something like one of our high-tech murder mysteries – guests try to eliminate suspects and weapons to determine who did it and with what, while the funds they spent to participate will help to eliminate your charity’s financial woes!
So, don’t be shy now about pursuing your virtual fundraising goals, or hosting a virtual charitable team building activity for your team. Get creative with how to overcome traditional fundraising methods and reap the rewards!