Don’t Cancel Your Fundraising Event…
Reimagine It
As fall approaches, nonprofits are considering how they should handle the loss of fundraising income from an event that will be postponed or canceled.
Before notifying donors of a cancellation, consider hosting a virtual event. They’re more cost effective, easier to manage, and nonprofits can engage with attendees before, during and after the event.
Identify the purpose and make it interactive
Some fundraising events raise money and others cultivate donors for a future ask. Whichever type of event to be planned, ensure the goal and purpose are clear. Then, engage donors: ask questions, conduct a poll, have a contest for “best dressed” (loungewear on the sofa might win). Come up with a theme and be creative. Cocktail party? Send a Cosmo kit to attendees. Outdoors theme? Send S’mores fixings.
Pick a platform and run a test
Make sure your team is confident with the chosen platform beforehand. Test things out: speakers off mute, good lighting, appropriate background, minimal distractions, etc.
Track the data and follow up
Ensure you have a system in place to track both the attendees and the level of engagement of guests to determine future follow-up strategies. Having guests pre-register is a great way to gauge how many guests to expect and to capture their contact information. Then, follow up! A hand-written note, phone call, invitation for a private tour, etc. There are endless ways to engage donors. Remember, if they attended the event, it means they’re interested. Good communication is often the key that turns interest into lifetime donor loyalty.
There are lots of ways to engage with supporters right now. Needs haven’t gone away because of COVID-19. In many cases, they have increased. Don’t hit pause on events. Keep raising money, and have fun with it!
Janell J. Johnson, Senior Vice President, jjohnson@kineticfundraising.com
To learn whAt Kinetic can do for your organization, contact us at
info@kineticfundraising.com
Schedule a Hartsook Speaker for Your Next Event
Contact info@kineticfundraising.com to schedule a Kinetic consultant to speak at your conference or organization
Virtual All-Staff Conference
August 13-14, 2020
Defining Our Future
Boy Scouts of America
Kansas City
September 12, 2020
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Night at the Tower
Live streamed at 7 p.m.
Sponsor: Kinetic
Virtual Conference
September 16-17, 2020
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Science of Philanthropy Initiative Conference 2020
Sponsor: Kinetic
Virtual Conference
November 12-14, 2020
2020 ARNOVA Annual Conference
Performance-Based Fundraiser Compensation: An Analysis of Preference, Prevalence and Effect
Matthew J. Beem
