ADDING SOME VIRTUAL TO YOUR FUNDRAISING How and Why to Continue this Key Strategy Incorporating Virtual Into Your Fundraising: How and Why to Continue This Key Strategy Fundraising in 2020 and into 2021 taught us a lot about what engages and inspires donors, plus how truly resilient and resourceful nonprofits are in times of need. Making the pivot to What's Included virtual fundraising opened the door to new possibilities and gave nonprofits new skill sets to utilize going forward. With the return to in-person fundraising, nonprofits can leverage 5 REASONS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS INCLUDE VIRTUAL what worked best this past year to benefit their ongoing fundraising strategy. That’s why we’ve compiled expert ideas and tools to help you add virtual elements to your in-person CREATIVE IDEAS FOR VIRTUAL ELEMENTS 6 STEPS TO INCORPORATE VIRTUAL COMPONENTS fundraising events so you can continue to captivate a wider audience and engage donors in creative ways. Read on and discover why adding virtual components to your fundraising events is crucial now and in the future, our best ideas for doing so and the steps needed to set up virtual elements and use them. LET’S GET STARTED! 2 FUN FACT 42% of nonprofits plan on holding a fundraising event with one or more virtual elements in the coming year¹ 5 REASONS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS INCLUDE VIRTUAL Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which virtual fundraising surprised us in 2020 and why it’s a great idea to incorporate it into your in-person events. 1 It Boosts Reach and Engages More New Donors - By adding in virtual elements and asking your current supporters to share your campaign and cause widely, your event can reach people just about anywhere in the world, bringing more new donors into the fold. 2 You Can Involve Those Unable to Attend In-Person - With virtual events, local supporters who cannot attend in-person have still been able to be a part of special moments and participate in activities from afar. Physical limitations and scheduling conflicts no longer need to keep supporters from joining in on the fun. 3 It Increases Giving, Often Outraising Previous In-Person Events - Virtual fundraising has much lower overhead costs, so adding them to your in-person event won’t add a lot of extra expenses. Combine that with the expanded reach of incorporating a virtual element and you’ll be crushing those fundraising goals in no time. 4 The Tech Needed is Surprisingly Easy to Set Up and Use - Virtual fundraising elements don’t require the use of a fancy production company or complicated technical setup to be successful. You likely already have all the equipment you need: a cell phone, computer, website and possibly basic video equipment. 5 You Can Continue to Promote After Your Event - When going virtual, nonprofits have been able to host portions (or sometimes all of) their event on an Event Page or website after the fact. This allows supporters to watch or replay the video and encourages more post-event giving. 3 CREATIVE IDEAS FOR VIRTUAL ELEMENTS Now that you know why adding one or more virtual elements to your in-person fundraiser is a must, let’s look at some of the creative, easy and effective ways you can do so. Below are a few of our favorite ideas to implement a virtual component that provides an engaging experience for your guests and boosts giving. Livestream specific parts of your event - You don’t need to livestream your entire program to make those outside your local community or who can’t attend feel included. Try livestreaming key speeches from special guests, Board Members or a beneficiary to create excitement and inclusion around your campaign. Go live on your social platform during important moments such as the unveiling of a new program or when you hit the halfway point to your fundraising goal. Use remote performances - Is that band or comedian unavailable to perform in-person at your event but still wants to participate in your cause? Try broadcasting their live or pre-recorded performance on screen during your fundraiser, then livestream for remote viewers. The effect will still be a special addition and thrilling for your guests. 4 CREATIVE IDEAS FOR VIRTUAL ELEMENTS Host a Q&A - Similarly to having a remote performance, you could broadcast a live question and answer session with a special guest. Have attendees (both virtual and in-person) text in questions for your guests for a truly interactive experience. Offer online and mobile giving - What’s the easiest way to add a virtual element to your fundraiser and capture the attention of guests who can’t be present in person? Allow donors to give from their mobile devices with text-to-donate and online on your website or Event Page. Promote your keyword and links before, during and after your event across all channels to capture the most supporters. DID YOU KNOW? $122 is the average text-to-donate gift² Provide at-home options - Hosting a luncheon, gala or happy hour event? Provide supporters the option for meal delivery, meal coupons, at-home wine tasting or provide the recipes to make similar menu items themselves. This helps those who can’t attend in-person still experience part of your fundraiser and creates fun at-home moments. Allow participants in athletic events to join virtually - Perhaps you’re concerned about gathering too many people at this time, have venue limitations or simply want to open up to participants from any location. People can still register, fundraise, and participate digitally in your run/walk, activity or tournament, which increases fundraising revenue and brings in more new donors. 5 CREATIVE IDEAS FOR VIRTUAL ELEMENTS Hold an online auction - Did you know that nonprofits who make the switch from in-person auctions to online versions see about a 30% increase in revenue?³ That’s because online auctions are open for longer periods of time, allow remote bidding (even during your in-person event) to up the friendly competition and help you raise more. Create a ‘behind the scenes’ moment - Provide a special “sneak peek” of your event by going live on your social platforms at various times throughout the event to create exclusive content and give non-attendees a ‘behind the scenes’ feeling. Share the excitement of pre-event setup, interview a special guest backstage, or even join a runner as they take their last few steps to cross the finish line. Use peer-to-peer fundraising - Provide Table Captains or participants with personalized peerto-peer fundraising pages so they can share your event with their networks. This allows for supporters from around the world to participate in your efforts, get excited about your cause, expand your donor database and help you reach your fundraising goals. FUN FACT the average amount raised by $634 isvolunteer peer-to-peer fundraisersā“ Run a vote by donation contest - Another fun and creative way to use peer-to-peer fundraising is by holding a contest where supporters vote for their favorite chef, dance partners or cute puppy by donating. Count each dollar raised or each gift as a “vote.” Donors can vote from anywhere and at any time, upping the ante on competition, boosting engagement and driving results. 6 6 STEPS TO INCORPORATE VIRTUAL COMPONENTS Our handy step-by-step guide to adding virtual elements to your in-person fundraising event will take you from conception through execution so you can be sure you don’t miss a beat. 1. Choose which element(s) you’d like to make virtual The clearest place to start is by examining which part or parts of your event would be engaging, fun and effective as a virtual element. Use our above ideas as a starting point and guide. Just remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Oftentimes, simpler is better. 2. Determine where and how to broadcast Options for showcasing your virtual elements can include hosting videos or livestreaming on your Event Page, social media channels, YouTube or Vimeo, or even a combination. Livestreaming will create an in-the-moment feeling where you can still interact with your audience. Using pre-recorded videos will give you more control, but lacks the ability to provide real-time updates or shoutouts. 7 6 STEPS TO INCORPORATE VIRTUAL COMPONENTS 3. Determine your tech needs Figuring out the technology required for your virtual elements is the next step. Assess the equipment, software and/or platforms you’ll need. If you’re livestreaming a ‘behind the scenes’ moment, you may just need a smartphone. If you’re broadcasting a live performance, you may need a bit more equipment such as a laptop, a video camera, microphones, etc. 4. Get Set Up Once you determine the technology you’ll need for your virtual element(s), set it up and do a practice run. Test things out–practice using all equipment and technology, play videos, test audio and volume, even make a donation using text-to-donate and mobile donation forms. This will help ensure things go as planned on the day of your event. Check out our Tech Setup Guide for Virtual Fundraising Events with easy to use flowcharts on how to livestream portions of your in-person event. 5. Promote Make sure your supporters know if you’re hosting remote participation, holding a vote by donation contest or online auction by sending messages and making posts before, during and after your event. This helps encourage registration, participation and giving. You can let supporters know that portions of your event may be available for viewing on your Event Page, encouraging engagement post-event. 6. Go Time Your last step is to put it all into action! Make sure all your links are ready, remind in-person guests of special virtual elements, promote on social media, text messaging and email, and share your text-to-donate details widely throughout your event. Most of all, have fun reconnecting with your donors face-to-face so that the virtual participation is icing on the cake. 8 With these tips, ideas and step-by-step guidelines to adding virtual components to your in-person fundraiser, you’ll be ready to engage with donors, no matter their location. We hope this helps you create a memorable event that surpasses your fundraising goals to enhance your mission! About MobileCause MobileCause is more than simply comprehensive online and event fundraising software. We offer nonprofits one-on-one expert strategy from our Digital Fundraising Specialists plus 24/7 customer support that’s there when you need it most. MobileCause has become the trusted fundraising partner for nonprofits looking to scale their fundraising quickly and efficiently, without paying any transaction fees, so you can grow your mission like never before. To speak directly to a fundraising consultant about implementing MobileCause fundraising and communication software and strategy for your nonprofit, please call (888) 661-8804 or visit mobilecause.com to request a demo. SOURCES 1. Velasquez-Hague, Kelly. “The Future Is Hybrid: Preparing for the Next Evolution of Fundraising.” Nonprofit Pro. January 13, 2021. 2. MobileCause annual donor data year-ending 2019. 3. GiveSmart 4. MobileCause annual donor data year-ending 2020. © 2021 MobileCause | All Rights Reserved
