Today, we’re highlighting the impact of a solid corporate giving program on your ability to acquire and retain valuable nonprofit sponsorships. We’ll talk about how to become a preferred nonprofit partner by giving corporations more ways to get involved in your mission.

Get ready to maximize your relationships and see the most value from forward-thinking corporate philanthropy.

The Trajectory of Corporate Philanthropy

Strategic nonprofit partnerships offer many attractive benefits. From improving outreach efforts and advocacy to enhancing programs and services, there are many ways that an alliance can help your organization enhance its efficacy, impact, and sustainability.

The first step to strengthening a partnership is to be clear about what you want to get out of it. Below, we’ll help you identify and clarify your nonprofit organization’s goals with a few ways to be a strong nonprofit partner with for-profit businesses.

Corporations Want Deeper Connections With Nonprofits

Corporations look for opportunities to demonstrate support for causes near and dear to them and treat nonprofits as an extension of CSR and marketing functions.

It makes sense that for-profit companies are more invested in philanthropic efforts when 77% of consumers are more motivated to purchase from brands committed to improving the world.¹ That’s why an estimated 90% of companies on the S&P 500 respond to customer desires by publishing a CSR report each year.²

Take advantage of these companies’ appetite for philanthropic involvement by offering mutually beneficial opportunities. Highlight timely donation requests, volunteer opportunities, and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns corporations can support to help you scale.

How to Think Ahead to Nurture a Strong Corporate Nonprofit Partnership

Here’s a checklist to strengthen your corporate sponsorships.

• Amplify your mission and values: Use successful partnerships to showcase your organization’s mission and core values to new audiences. Solidify your position as a dedicated nonprofit in your niche and remain consistent with the fundraising approaches and messaging that resonate with your supporters.
• Define what you want to accomplish: Look at what worked well in past partnerships and push the boundaries of possibility. Define what you want to accomplish and keep mutually beneficial goals front and center.
• Create a repeatable offering for partnerships: Employ a structure you can use across multiple partners, recognizing that each partnership will have unique goals. Some may be more interested in sustaining programs year-round, while others may be more interested in supporting crises. On the other hand, some may have products to donate, while others may want to get employees involved in fundraising and volunteer efforts.
• Demonstrate the impact of your partnerships: Put together a nonprofit annual report for donors, just as you would with corporate partners, establishing a clear view of what you jointly achieved over a year. Outline clear nonprofit metrics to evaluate your efforts and see what you can improve or change to get closer to your goals. Showcasing your collective results helps them know the value of the partnership and share that with employees and networks.

6 Ways to Strengthen Nonprofit Partnerships

1. Event Sponsorships

Bring corporate partners in to provide financial support for a larger-scale event such as a fundraiser gala or endurance event. A sponsored event is a great avenue to bring your aligned vision to life intimately and authentically.

Just remember, the key to a successful event is to make it easier for corporate partners to get involved, showcase their brand, and invite their employees and audiences that seek a more interactive giving experience.

• Make the ask: Create a sponsorship proposal letter that’s informative and persuasive. Use this sample letter for sponsorship for a head start on your outreach. After all, asking for sponsorship is all about making a good impression.
• Offer enticing branding opportunities: Feature the corporate sponsor’s logo on your event page using modern fundraising event software. You might even think about placing sponsor branding in the virtual venue through a digital booth and on-site digital display at your in-person event.
• Tap into sponsorships for auction items: Put out the request to your partners for auction ideas and items that draw attention and bids at your event. Corporations can write these expenses off as donations while you promote the auction items as gifts from specific partners and sponsors to build visibility and affinity for their brand.
• Build more community engagement with sponsors and attendees: Take advantage of virtual breakout rooms and chat functionality during the event to offer your corporate sponsors a designated booth. This way, they can get to know new supporters and grow their relationships in affiliation with your nonprofit.
• Create guest seating as part of a sponsorship package: Place your sponsors at premier tables or designated areas in addition to complimentary tickets. You can easily manage which guests sit at which tables through the Classy Live platform.

2. Employee Fundraising

Empower your corporate partner’s employees to take action with peer-to-peer fundraising. This could be a time-based initiative or something they can do year-round. Either way, you’ll gain access to new donor bases through each employee’s professional and personal network. Plus, when you engage your corporate partner’s staff, they may become loyal supporters of your organization.

• Template your corporate peer-to-peer campaigns: Use a fundraising template to ensure all campaigns are ready for your partner’s employees. Anytime you onboard a new corporate partner, create a child campaign with the same branding and content as your campaign template. Meanwhile, your nonprofit can see all corporate partnerships using the original template in one place for easy management and evaluation.
• Let your partners take the reigns: Give your corporate stakeholders a login to manage their fundraising campaigns. They can edit the messaging and content (don’t worry, you can lock down anything you don’t want them to edit) and enable their employees to build personal or team fundraising pages. Offering them more control enhances the experience and encourages corporations to get employees involved in the opportunity to make a more positive impact.
• Encourage friendly employee competition: Incorporate activity tracking into your corporate peer-to-peer campaigns for an added layer of motivation and fun. Allow employees to log into an app and track activity tied to their fundraising goals. You can set up daily, weekly, or monthly challenges for participants and encourage them to share on social media to get a virtual high five from friends and family. Discover how Classy’s integration with Boundless Fundraising can help.

3. Direct Giving

Outside of timely campaigns or events, give corporate sponsors a way to consistently support your organization and attract new audiences to your cause through a co-branded donation form or crowdfunding campaign.

Encourage corporate partners to promote your co-branded donation website to their staff, customers, investors, and community members. When optimized, donation sites bring the benefits of campaign admins, multiple payment types, recurring giving options, and templates.

• Set up a partnership crowdfunding campaign: Create a crowdfunding campaign that tells the story of how money raised impacts your cause. You can even leave placeholders for a partner to incorporate their name and branding easily. This personalized version will likely resonate more with their audience and lead to more conversions.
• Promote the campaign together:  Have your corporate partner share the link in newsletters or other far-reaching communication channels. They could choose to give the first gift and share why supporting your nonprofit means so much to them.
• Brand a timely donation page or campaign: Consider setting up a timely appeal around a holiday, a big giving day, or in response to a crisis. Make it easy for your corporate partners to get their employees and customer base to take action.

4. Corporate Matching Gifts

Donation matching provides employees with an opportunity to have their charitable donations matched by their employer on a campaign page. Empower your corporate partners’ employees to maximize their workplace giving by tapping into corporate matching gift programs.

• Enable corporate matching on your co-branded campaigns:  Double the impact with employer matches that can motivate more individuals to give to your campaign. Lean on a tool, like Classy’s integration with Double the Donation, that allows employees to search for their employer and request a donation match while making an online gift.
• Plan matching gift campaigns strategically: Strategize your donation match period to be around a peak giving season or milestone in your organization. Encourage your corporate partner to use intentional themes like crossing the finish line to achieve annual goals on New Year’s Eve.

5. Cross-Promotions

Broaden your audience to reach more potential donors with a consistent and strategic cross-promotion strategy. Ask your corporate partner about natural cross-promotion to easily reach their network.

Depending on the nature of the partnership, ask your corporate partner for a regular feature on their website, social media channels, or communications to their community. Lean on the marketing expertise of a corporation to brainstorm creative ways to elevate your co-branded initiatives outside the campaign pages themselves. Here are a few sponsorship examples to get started.

6. Launch a Joint Initiative

Outside of monetary support, enhance your programmatic impact with the tools, resources, in-kind donations, and services your business partners can offer. Expand your range of services by launching a joint initiative with strategic alliances to meet your shared goals. As you build your relationship, you’ll see more opportunities to supplement each other’s services and broaden your combined offerings.

• Set up a referral program relationship: Have each party direct constituents to the other for further support. For example, let’s say you’re a nonprofit that provides housing for underserved communities. Your programs don’t offer access to computers, but you might partner with an organization that does. Refer to their services in exchange for the promotion of your mission.
• Collect in-kind donations: Team up around in-kind donations for both organizations to expand services without hiking up budgets. For example, maybe you’re a disaster relief organization that partners with a hydration packet provider for disaster response packages.

4 Simple Reminders For Building a Successful Corporate Partnership

• Go Beyond “Checkbook Philanthropy”

The first way to set your corporate partnership up for success is to understand that corporate social responsibility is no longer as simple as signing a check. After all, any business can do that. To make the most of this relationship, you need to identify and ask for other types of support that lead to social impact.

• Compare Audiences

Research your audience of potential corporate partners to find the right prospects. Consider what exposure your nonprofit can offer to a company, and from there, you can find the best match to maximize your positive impact.

• Know Your Contacts and Decision-Makers

Knowing who to engage with for each task simplifies the process. Assign a point person within your team to communicate and nurture relationships with potential corporate partners. This ensures partner retention and a smooth engagement process.

• Mobilize Employees for Fundraising and Volunteering

Engage the entire staff of your corporate partner. Beyond financial support from key individuals, employees can be valuable allies. Recruit volunteers for events and initiatives, and encourage peer-to-peer fundraising among employees. By involving employees, you gain financial funding and new donors and advocates.

Choosing the Right Corporate Giving Software

The long-term success of your corporate giving programs and any potential corporate sponsorships you’ll secure depends on repeatable and scalable processes. While every corporate partner may be slightly different, structure your menu of offerings around opportunities that will have the most impact on your organization. Then, put your ideas into action with modern fundraising software, like Classy Live, built to support corporate philanthropy and future decision-making.

To continue your learning, dive into Classy’s Six Ways to Strengthen Your Corporate Partnerships webinar, where The Gary Sinise Foundation and Classy discussed strategies for maximizing your partnerships and tips to strengthen your relationships through a multi-pronged approach to maximize involvement from corporations and employees.

Article Sources

1.   “AFLAC CSR Survey,” Aflac, 2019, https://www.aflac.com/docs/about-aflac/csr-survey-assets/2019-aflac-csr-infographic-and-survey.pdf.

2. “15 Eye-Opening Corporate Social Responsibility Statistics,” Harvard Business Review, June 2021, https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/corporate-social-responsibility-statistics.

Post-event survey questions help nonprofits gather valuable insights and feedback from event attendees. This data then helps nonprofit event planners improve future events and enhance the overall attendee experience.

Below, we’ll cover why post-event surveys are crucial for nonprofits, how to craft survey questions for high response rates, and what actions to take once you’ve gathered your data. We’ll look at how this post-event task helps jump-start future event planning, allowing you to take full advantage of the 51% of event attendees that intend to join future fundraising events your organization holds.

Why Post-Event Surveys Are Important for Nonprofits

Post-event surveys help nonprofits based on the type of fundraising event. For example, webinars can be more challenging to gauge attendee satisfaction than in-person events. However, event planners can employ a post-event survey for virtual fundraising events to gain a better sense of participants’ engagement levels and how to improve their next offering.

You can also use post-event surveys to obtain insight into how well your pre-event marketing strategies performed. By asking event participants how they heard about your event, you can see which outlets are worth future investments.

Overall, post-event surveys are an opportunity to connect with your donors and show that you care about their feedback and experience. These provide a reason to check in with your supporters and let them know that their thoughts will inform improvements to your next events.

Post-Event Surveys vs. Feedback Forms: What’s the difference for nonprofits?

Nonprofits may also leverage feedback forms to collect supporter insights. You would use these for gathering feedback on supporters’ overall satisfaction with your organization. In short, feedback forms help you understand how the public views your organization and what they like and don’t like to see.

Post-event surveys, on the other hand, focus on the success of a particular event you host: how well it ran, whether people would come again, and how people heard about it. These surveys also shed light on your operations, whereas feedback forms provide deeper insights into your nonprofit brand as a whole. Both surveys are crucial—when you send them and how you use them varies.

How to Create Effective Post-Event Survey Questions for Nonprofits

To create effective post-event survey questions, be clear, specific, and relevant to the event. Ask about different aspects of the event, especially if you tried something new this year. For example, if a respondent gives part of your event a low rating, include follow-up questions or a text box for them to elaborate on what didn’t work for them so that you can take this valuable feedback into consideration when planning upcoming events.

Using varying question types can increase participation and engagement with your survey and help you obtain different insights. So as you select your questions, ensure you cover the entire event experience: before, during, and after. Once you create a questionnaire for one event, you’ll have a template for future events.

You can also provide the option for respondents to identify themselves or remain anonymous. If survey participants choose to remain anonymous, include a few questions to gather valuable insight into different attendee cohorts they belong in, such as:

• Age, gender, and other demographics
• Donation history or capacity
• Event first-timer or returning participant
• Peer-to-peer fundraiser for your event

Having this data can help you spot event trends by group and make any needed adjustments to improve their experiences in the future.

Top Examples of Post-Event Survey Questions for Nonprofits

When designing an event feedback survey, there are different types of questions you can include. The question types below are best practices for designing survey templates.

1. Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions allow survey participants to answer in their own words via a free-form text box. They’re not limited to a set of options.

Collecting qualitative data like this can help your nonprofit gain insights you may not have considered when designing your survey because these questions help gather constructive feedback. You can also use them to ask for testimonials or stories to use in future marketing materials.

Some example questions include:

• What’s one of your favorite memories from the event?
• How would you describe your experience to a friend?
• Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about your event experience?

2. Yes/No Questions

Yes/no questions only offer participants two response options: yes or no. These questions can help quickly identify issues and connect you with respondents looking for additional ways to get involved.

You can trigger follow-up questions for this question type based on attendees’ responses, such as asking for their contact information or additional details about a challenge they encountered.

Some example questions include:

• Did you experience any difficulties registering for the event?
• Was the event venue easy to navigate?
• Are you interested in volunteering at a future event?

3. Multiple-Choice Questions

Multiple-choice questions let respondents select one or more options from a list of choices. They can help attendees recall the event and let you see which components of your event resonated most with supporters.

Some example questions include:

• What were your favorite parts of the event? Check all that apply.
  • Keynote speaker
  • Networking opportunities
  • Presenters during breakout sessions
  • Catered food and beverages
  • Entertainment
• How did you hear about our event? Check all that apply.
  • Social media
  • Website
  • Email
  • Friend
  • Other event marketing

4. Rating Scale

Rating scale questions ask respondents to assign a rating between two extremes to show how much they agree or disagree with a specific topic. These can help your nonprofit determine how various subjects resonate with your audience to identify any needed adjustments.

Some example questions include:

• How well did our ticket pricing match the benefits and experience you received at the event? (1 means you feel the event was overpriced and you didn’t receive the expected benefits/10 means you feel the event provided excellent value)
• How would you rate our virtual event’s audio and video quality? (1 is very poor quality/10 is very high quality)

5. Net Promoter Score

Net promoter score (NPS) is what you get from asking event attendees to use a rating scale from 0 to 10 (where 10 is very likely) to answer one question: How likely are you to recommend our event to your friends, family, or colleagues?

Once you’ve received all responses, take the percentage of attendees considered promoters (those who selected 9 or 10) and subtract the percentage considered detractors (those who selected 0 to 6) to get your NPS.

Compiling an NPS for your event provides a high-level look at overall attendee satisfaction:

• If it’s high, your event is worth repeating
• If it’s a mid-level score, it’s worth diving into the details to improve your next event
• If it’s low, you may want to consider trying a different event type in the future

How to Encourage High Response Rates for Post-Event Surveys

Your survey data is only as good as your response rate. Often, sending out a survey link once isn’t enough to drive significant participation from guests. So to ensure you get the most out of your post-event survey, consider these strategies:

• Mention it at your event: Have your emcee tell the crowd to expect a follow-up survey at the end of your event. This is a key time to reach your target audience.
• Express appreciation: Remind donors that you value their feedback as part of the event and afterward. You can also share ways past surveys helped improve your current events.
• Remind people on social media: Reach event attendees who may check their Instagram or Facebook more than their email through reminder posts and stories.
• Incorporate a countdown: Create a sense of urgency by sharing a countdown to when the survey will close on your follow-up emails and social posts.
• Provide incentives: Encourage participation by offering branded swag, free fundraiser tickets to an upcoming event, or entry into a special raffle for any attendee who completes the survey.

Finally, share with respondents how you incorporate their feedback. Seeing the impact their participation had may make them more likely to complete future surveys.

Analyze Post-Event Survey Responses for Actionable Insights

Remember, don’t just run a survey—use it. Set aside time with your event organizers to review post-event feedback for key takeaways. As you analyze your survey data, look for:

• Recurring trends in responses: Look for areas where event attendees tend to agree. For example, if survey respondents consistently say they struggled to use your virtual platform, it may be time to research new event software for nonprofits. However, if everyone loved your band, book them for next year.
• Creative ideas: Scan open-ended questions for new ideas for future events from attendees. This offers an opportunity to ask specific respondents to see if they’d volunteer next year to help implement their idea.
• Lows, highs, and just fines: Remember that you can eliminate or otherwise revamp event elements with the lowest scores. Those with high scores are ones to keep around for next year. Event aspects that participants report as being “just fine” are opportunities for making small changes that can have big impacts.
• Differences between cohorts: Consider differences in the experiences of event attendees by age, whether they had a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, and other factors. This can help your team target specific stakeholders where needed to improve satisfaction.

After you’ve analyzed your quantitative and qualitative data, plan to leave your team meeting with at least one high point that you’ll repeat and one action item for improvement for each event planning stage: before, during, and after.

Use Post-Event Surveys to Improve Nonprofit Events and Programs

Successful events start with collecting valuable feedback from past attendees. A post-event survey paired with quantitative data from your event app or event management platform can lead to powerful insights that lend additional depth to your survey analysis.

Classy Live offers in-platform reporting for quick access to event health metrics and insights for creating personalized engagement strategies for participants. Invite attendees to participate in your in-person, virtual, and hybrid event experiences hosted through Classy’s event fundraising software. Plus, enjoy the benefits that Classy Live’s raffles and auctions with mobile bidding are sure to bring.

Innovative event technology, reliable data, and insightful attendee feedback from your post-event survey can help you better understand your event’s success and continually refine your strategy so your organization can raise more to do more.

The last few decades mark incredible growth, love, and acceptance of diversity, but not without challenges to feel seen and accepted. The social sector has stepped up in a big way to support this significant progress, moving away from prejudice and injustices that face lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, and transgender people across America.

At Classy, we stand beside the LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations making a significant impact. You’ll get to see some of the special initiatives happening this June to celebrate Pride Month and more ways to get involved year-round.

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Organizations During Pride Month

What is Pride Month?

LGBTQ+ Pride Month typically falls in June and serves as a time for celebrations, protections, and commemorations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, and transgender community.

In 1969, the Stonewall riots began as a series of gay liberation protests. The timing of Pride Month represents the anniversary of those events in a positive and future-looking light—although Pride celebrations now extend throughout the calendar to continue bringing light to the LGBTQ+ community.

What does the acronym LGBTQ+ stand for?

LGBTQ+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning, plus other sexual and gender minorities. While individuals may feel aligned and connected to various adjectives based on their unique experience, gender identity, and sexual orientation, the LGBTQ+ nomenclature is an inclusive way to reference, celebrate, and honor the greater community.

How to Celebrate Pride

Pride is a wonderful time to get involved with LGBTQ+ organizations to learn more. Here’s a quick list of ways to celebrate:

• Browse social media human rights campaigns that inspire you.
• Explore your local community for opportunities to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
• Research the history and accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Learn about ongoing efforts led by the National LGBTQ Task Force.
• Make an impact with a donation to an LGBTQ+ organization.
• Fundraise on behalf of an LGBTQ+ organization.
• Attend events that help you learn and grow alongside LGBTQ+ people.

6 LGBTQ+ Organizations to Support This Pride Month

1. The Trevor Project

Mission: The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning young people.

Check out some ways to celebrate Pride with The Trevor Project:

• Contribute to supporting LGBTQ young people and showing them that they matter
• Join your local Pride march to support LGBTQ+ youth, families, and allies to find joy in advocacy and self-expression in a safe, supportive environment. The Trevor Project will be in the New York City and Los Angeles parades!
• Join Trevor’s 52-Mile Pride Ride Challenge,  a virtual fundraising challenge encouraging people to commit to logging 52 miles in any way it feels best to move, all in an effort to support Trevor’s mission to end suicide among LGBTQ young people
• Explore Trevor’s resources, such as articles, resources, and guides to learn about preventing suicide, supporting LGBTQ young people, and more

2. Radiant Health Centers

Mission: Radiant Health Centers’ mission is to provide compassionate and comprehensive health services to all underserved individuals in Orange County, with a special focus on the LGBTQ+ community and those living with and affected by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Radiant Health Centers will host several events supporting more individuals to regain their independence through comprehensive care throughout the month of June.

A thoughtful array of fundraising and awareness campaigns include:

• An annual LGBTQA+ makers market to explore LGBTQA+ makers, artists, crafters and vendors and make purchases that benefit Radiant Health Centers
• A Pride kickoff happy hour to get ready for Pride weekend with cocktails and appetizers among friends
• The Midsummer Night’s Dream Gala happens June 3 at an outdoor venue that feels like a Shakespearean forest to raise money for improving LGBTQA+ health care equity and HIV care in the community

3. The LGBT Community Center of the Desert

Mission: The LGBT Community Center of the Desert’s mission is to provide an open and welcoming environment for all members of the LGBTQ family. Through individual lived experiences and collective power, the nonprofit hosts community events, assistance programs, and various other forms of support in its efforts to create a loving community where everyone belongs.

The LGBT Community Center of the Desert offers a space where everyone belongs and can be unconditionally themselves. The team lives their values of integrity, equity, and joy through events and resources throughout the year, extending into Pride Month for anyone who feels called to learn more and get involved.

This June, The LGBT Community Center of the Desert will offer:

• Yoga groups
• Community food bank distributions
• Book clubs 
• Support groups for parents of gender-expansive youth
• Women’s and men’s chats
• Caregivers support groups
• Music and art events for community members
• LGBTQ+ hangouts for young people

4. SAGE

Mission:SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older people.

In partnership with its constituents and allies, SAGE works to achieve a high quality of life for LGBTQ+ older people, supports and advocates for their rights, fosters a greater understanding of aging in all communities, and promotes positive images of LGBTQ+ life in later years. This Pride Month, SAGE will host several community events to invite more passionate advocates to get involved.

Pride Month community events will include:

• 31st Annual Fire Island Pines Celebration on June 3, 2023. Celebrating SAGE in the Pines and honoring Joe Conforti, Colin Joyner, Ryan Espinoza & Iman Le Caire
• Sage & Friends will follow on June 10, 2023 with an open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and fabulous company to keep the celebrations going

5. Family Equality Council

Mission: The Family Equality Council’s mission is to ensure everyone is free to find, form, and sustain their families by advancing equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

Family Equality Council gives LGBTQ+ families the public education and support they need to become a strong voice through outreach and legislative actions. Pride Month will be an extension of the help it offers throughout the year.

This June, a virtual hub for LGBTQ+ families will feature:

• Trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming parent meetups
• A blog and newsletter for families to get new information
• Alerts to take action in Congress and legislation for equal rights

6. Gay Men’s Health Crisis

Mission: The Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) mission is to be the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization, working to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.

GMHC is determined to end AIDS and enable more individuals to live life fully. This Pride Month, the organization will open its doors to supporters everywhere to fuel its efforts toward its mission.

Pride Month activities and events will include:

• The Latex Ball is a free event open to the community that offers HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing while enjoying a celebration of different music genres and musical artists
• Advocacy opportunities include supporting the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows safety-net providers, such as community health centers, to purchase deeply discounted drugs and provide essential financial support services to low-income individuals

Expanding Impact on Classy

LGBTQ+ organizations do the work that brings communities together. With Classy’s comprehensive fundraising platform, these organizations can connect with supporters who believe in and will support them for the long term.

On Classy, LGBTQ+ organizations can build supporter relationships that result in more funding and impact through:

• Fundraising events to engage supporters live and online
• Peer-to-peer fundraising to give voice to more passionate people
• Crowdfunding solutions that bring communities together
• Website donations to encourage fundraising all year
• Recurring giving options that spark a chain reaction of lasting impact

Article Sources

“50 Quotes From the LGBTQ+ Community to Help You Celebrate Pride,” Woman’s Day, accessed May 17, 2023, https://www.womansday.com/life/g32858887/lgbtq-pride-quotes/.

Hybrid events take things up a notch by helping nonprofits offer authentic and memorable digital experiences alongside physical events in a consistent way. Plus, we saw in Classy’s latest State of Modern Philanthropy 2023 report that multiple avenues for donor interaction deepen supporters’ connection to the cause and positively impact their giving patterns over time.

Today, we’re looking at three of the best hybrid event planning examples from nonprofits that crafted meaningful in-person and virtual interactions to raise more. 

Not All Experiences Are Equal

The days of gathering people on Zoom webinars and closely monitoring the “you’re on mute” or “your sound isn’t working” flukes are over. A hybrid event means so much more when your virtual component thoughtfully complements your in-person efforts. Today’s event attendees want to know that if they log in from home or another part of the country, they’ll still be just as part of the event as your live attendees. 

Our Fundraising Event Attendee Insights Report found that 91% of event attendees are more likely to take further action with a nonprofit through future events and fundraising opportunities after a positive event experience. We also discovered through our research for the State of Modern Philanthropy report that customers offering their experience through Classy’s hybrid event platform, Classy Live, saw an average of $1,258 per donor over the course of a year. 

To put it into perspective, that’s more than a donor who gives a recurring monthly donation of $100 for 12 consecutive months. That’s proof positive the true power of a great hybrid event experience is its far-reaching impact on attendees who return to show their generosity through all other fundraising campaigns you host throughout the year.

The Benefits of Hybrid Events in Your Fundraising Strategy

The hybrid model gives event planners a simple way to provide attendees with the best of both worlds. Instead of narrowing event marketing down to in person or virtual, you give your audience the option to choose based on what matters most. 

Hybrid Is a Practical Event Strategy to Deliver:

• Stronger connections with donors who have the ability to attend
• Broad participation on a global scale with lower overhead costs, a higher number of attendees, and more networking opportunities
• Ample amounts of data to track attendee interactions and donation metrics
• Personal touches through live polls, gamification, and follow-up functionality of a live and virtual event platform
• Global communities united around your cause and stories
• Natural content creation with recordings for social media and promotions

What do hybrid events look like?

You can make anything from your endurance event, performance, auction, gala, or competition into a hybrid event experience. That might mean different aspects catered to in-person or online attendees, but ultimately you’re looking to create a feeling of community and togetherness between the two audiences. 

Hosting your event through an online venue like the nonprofits we’re about to introduce gives you access to everything you need before, during, and after the event.

3 Successful Hybrid Event Examples

1. Shriners Children’s Celebration of the Century

Shriners Children’s has a long reputation of bringing supporters into its community in new and creative ways. When it came to its 100th anniversary, the nonprofit’s team knew they had to make a big impression, and well, they delivered. Not only did they put on an in-person event in November at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX, but they also carefully orchestrated a livestreamed event and curated content for attendees to enjoy virtually. 

The organization maintained a consistent experience for all attendees through single-event software. In-person attendees quickly checked in through a mobile event app to enjoy the live auction and Dierks Bentley concert. At the same time, virtual attendees could also enjoy the concert from the comfort of their homes alongside recorded interviews with patient families and an online silent auction.

The impact: 750 virtual participants, 700 live attendees, and $1.6M raised 

Takeaways for Your Next Hybrid Event:

• Create momentum: Add natural moments of giving for attendees online and in person with a virtual silent auction. Displaying fund-a-need items or selling fixed-price items and merchandise are other ways to encourage giving and ensure attendees remember your event.
• Livestream key moments: Broadcast the on-site portions of your event or featured performances and sessions to everyone in real time. This brings experiences like the Dierks Bentley concert right to your guests despite which event format they choose.
• Clarify the impact: Highlight your “why” from the moment supporters view your event page through the in-person signage, online campaign progress bar, and live fundraising thermometer celebrating key milestones.

2. Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s Reefs Go Live

Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) brings the ocean directly to classrooms around the world through livestream, underwater lessons in its famous Reefs Go Live hybrid event series. The creativity level is pretty high for the CCMI team, which shares new episodes and supplemental teaching resources with students and teachers for engagement in a whole new way. 

By opening up their undersea world and love for vibrant oceans and coral reefs, the CCMI team reaches wider audiences. The hybrid event model gives them the platform to bring real-time interactions with their Little Cayman Research Centre to students everywhere. And of course, recordings are available afterward to reach more with their adventures. Viewers are then encouraged to engage with a simple donation page to make an even bigger impact.

The impact: More than 107,000 viewers in 22 countries for the 2022 broadcasts

Takeaways for Your Hybrid Event:

• Share event content: Follow the lead of CCMI’s readily available resources by creating unique learning materials, launching an annual report, sending out  letters from those who have benefited from your nonprofit’s work, or providing instructions for attendees to access at any time and participate in your next event. 
• Build your agenda: Feature engaging sessions or segments like the Reefs Go Live episodes, keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and dedicated networking time for registrants to get them excited about your hybrid experience.
• Simplify the payment process: Give attendees an option to donate directly and make it as simple as possible with trusted payment options, like PayPal or Venmo, then pair it with the convenience of fast mobile checkout. 

3. King County Sexual Assault Resource Center’s BE LOUD Breakfast

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) took a long-standing tradition and brought it to a live and virtual audience. The organization’s annual BE LOUD Breakfast is an event that supporters look forward to attending to celebrate how they raised their voices for survivors over the past year. In 2023, KCSARC hosted its 34th annual breakfast at a venue in Seattle and online with virtual elements for anyone who couldn’t be there live.

What better way to celebrate four decades of advocacy and progress than to bring as many supporters together without location barriers? KCSARC then invited registrants to participate in peer-to-peer fundraising to raise even more awareness leading up to the main event, where they heard inspiring stories of hope and recovery from the organization’s Empowered Voices program. Virtual attendees could also stream these speeches.

The impact: Sponsorship from names like Amazon, Chase, and The Seattle Times

Takeaways for Your Hybrid Event:

• Unite supporters through online fundraising: Show attendees how easy it is to set up an individual fundraising page, and give supporters who can’t attend the ability to donate directly to your cause pre- and post-event.
• Recognize sponsorships: Give your sponsors and exhibitors a shoutout directly within your online event venue and offer them the opportunity to engage with virtual attendees through digital booths, breakout rooms, and Q&A sessions.
• Get the most out of your event content: Make it easy for attendees and livestreamers to hear from incredible speakers with high-quality livestreams available on demand through Vimeo. These captivating conversations can help your organization continue raising money even after the event concludes. 

Choosing the Right Hybrid Event Platform

All three organizations we’ve highlighted take a unique approach to hybrid events that reflect the target audience, mission, and goals. With the support of the right event technology built to engage virtual and in-person audiences in any time zone, each organization could focus on growing supporter relationships.

Classy Live takes care of everything, from an easy registration process to event management and reporting. What could your event look like with more time to focus on the guest experience?

But where do you start?

Should you host an all-out charity golf tournament or a simple fundraiser at the local miniature golf course? Could you incorporate a live-auction component? And what about that Mulligan thing?

Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about golf fundraising to put on an unforgettable fundraising event.

What Is a Golf Fundraiser?

A golf fundraiser is a golf outing paired with fundraising to support a cause. That might be a silent auction for golf merchandise or an 18-hole charity golf tournament. The flexibility of a golf fundraiser means you can tailor it to your specific audience.

Catering to young families? Make it a miniature golf tournament. Want to respond to a recent outbreak of illness in your community? Transition to a virtual event and host an online auction. Want to engage golf enthusiasts? Partner with a pro to host a can’t-miss fundraising event.

Why Use Golf as a Way to Fundraise?

Close to 26 million Americans played on a golf course in 2022—that’s 8% of the total U.S. population.¹ Furthermore, golfers tend to have an average household income of $100,950.²

That said, golfers may be the perfect donors for your organization.

8 Golf Fundraising Ideas to Fuel Greater Giving

There are dozens of golf fundraising ideas to target your specific giving audience. Whether young families or serious golfers, we’ve got a quick list of the best golf fundraisers.

1. Charity Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Host a charity golf tournament fundraiser that requires participants to pay an entry fee to play. You could add other fun components, too, such as a hole-in-one contest or a putting contest.

Consider partnering with a golf resort to gain access to its course, parking lots, lodge, and equipment. If you pitch it right, your partner will see the benefit of advertising their course to your community during the event. Come prepared with refreshments, entertainment, and great prizes as well to ensure guests are comfortable all day.

2. Longest Drive

Line up at the local golf course or Topgolf location to see who can hit the longest drive. You could even incorporate this event into your charity golf tournament on a par 5 or par 6 hole.

Participants could donate for a certain number of attempts or earn their place in the competition through peer-to-peer fundraising. Once they raise a particular amount, they’re free to play.

3. Silent Auction

Accompany a tournament with a silent auction for golf merchandise and experiences. Merchandise may include classic items, like gloves, hats, shirts, pants, golf balls, bags, and clubs. You could also branch out and include experiences, such as:

• Tickets to watch a live golf event
• Lessons from a golf expert
• Lunch with a local pro
• Tee times at a nearby golf course
• Exclusive access to a section of the driving range

4. Caddie Rental

Let golfers rent a caddie for their day out on the course. This could be on their time or as part of your charity tournament fundraiser.

Your volunteers could carry clubs or drive golf carts for the golfers. It’s also a chance for your volunteers to build relationships with the donors, increasing the odds of repeat donations and spreading awareness of your cause.

5. Challenge the Pro

Invite the golf club’s local pro to volunteer for your event. Position this individual at one of the holes along the course and have golfers bet with the pro to see who can hit it closer to the cup. Golfers that win get paid double. If the pro wins the bet, the money gets donated to your nonprofit.

While the actual hole challenge might not be a huge donation driver, the pro’s presence may have a bigger impact. Including a local celebrity in your golf event could be reason enough for some participants to sign up.

6. Miniature-Golf Tournament

Partner with your local Putt-Putt course and host a tournament for the youngsters to show off their skills—see, fundraising ideas for kids don’t have to be a challenge.

Have prizes on hand for winners, holes-in-one, and the coolest shots—that way, every player can have a good time, regardless of their skill level.

And don’t forget about the parents. While some of them might prefer watching their kids compete, others may want to get in on the action. Consider hosting an adults-only miniature golf tournament later in the evening. This is a great way to engage members of your community that want to get involved but don’t have the experience to participate in a competitive golf challenge.

7. Hole Sponsorship

Sell sponsorships to local businesses for all 18 holes along the course of your charity tournament. Hole sponsors can have signage or a flag indicating their corporate sponsorship and give out prizes to golfers who swing under par for their specific hole.

8. Mulligans

Help out golfers when they’re in a bind with Mulligans—an extra chance to swing without hurting your score. Sell these at the time of registration, check-in, or on the course when a golfer has an emergency. Just be sure to set a limit so nobody exploits the system unfairly.

Achieve Your Goals With Classy’s Comprehensive Fundraising Tools

Successful golf fundraisers bring your donors to the table, but you still need fundraising tools to drive donations and simplify the giving process to put on a successful tournament. Fortunately, Classy has the unified solutions you need:

• Donation websites: Collect one-time and recurring donations with ease.
• Classy Pay: Invite donors to contribute via credit card, ACH payment, Venmo, PayPal, and more.
• Recurring giving: Enable donors to strengthen their impact with recurring gifts.
• Peer-to-peer giving: Empower supporters to fundraise on your behalf.
• Classy Live: Host virtual, in-person, and hybrid event experiences.
• Live and silent auctions: Set up auctions with everything from mobile bidding to paddle raises.

Want to learn more about Classy’s fundraising platform? Schedule time to talk with an expert.

Article Sources:

1. “26 Glorious Golf Industry Statistics [2023],” Advice, Zippia, last modified March 16, 2023, https://www.zippia.com/advice/golf-industry-statistics/.
2. “Who Is the Average Golfer?” Morton Golf Sales, last modified July 27, 2020, https://blog.mortongolfsales.com/who-is-the-average-golfer/.

That’s the abbreviated version of the goal proximity effect, which fuels the psychology behind why fundraising thermometers lead to more donations.

While it’s already clear how effective a goal thermometer can be, have you ever wondered if you use it to its full potential?

You’re about to dive into a full breakdown that will leave you feeling more confident in setting and achieving your donor acquisition, conversion, and retention goals with the added support of a fundraising thermometer.

How Do Fundraising Thermometers Work?

The term fundraising thermometer can refer to many different things. Most commonly, nonprofits will have access to a few options through fundraising software that visualizes for donors your progress toward a goal. We’ll cover three that are highly impactful in helping you raise more.

Types of Donation Thermometers

1. Campaign Fundraising Progress Bar 

A campaign fundraising progress bar is a goal tracker that showcases how much you’ve raised toward your overall campaign benchmarks. Most commonly embedded on a campaign page, it highlights donation totals at a campaign level.

For crowdfunding campaigns, the fundraising progress bar represents the total donation volume for that campaign. On the other hand, for peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising campaigns, where individuals can create personal fundraising pages or team pages to fundraise on behalf of a nonprofit, the campaign progress bar aggregates all direct donations to the nonprofit and individual fundraisers.

2. Individual Progress Bars

An individual progress bar is specific to peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. It provides a more granular view of a group’s movement toward their fundraising goal. The display can show teams’ and individual team members’ progress.

To show how each fundraiser’s efforts ladder up to the larger campaign, individual fundraising pages also showcase how the money that person raised helps bring the organization closer to its overarching goal. This is an excellent reminder of the sense of community that comes with peer-to-peer fundraising.

Connection and competition are big motivators to fundraise more.

In fact, the median amount raised by events that empower attendees to fundraise is over four times greater than events that do not.

3. Digital Displays of Fundraising Thermometer at Live Events

A digital display of a fundraising thermometer at your events takes this strategy to the next level with a visual that serves as the backdrop to fundraising activity at an in-person event. The fundraising thermometer widget reflects real-time donations, auction bids, text-to-donate contributions, paddle raises, merchandise purchases, and more.

Organizations often use this as a projected display that fundraising event attendees can see and be motivated by throughout the night. Some choose to have it up all night as a constant progress meter. Others get creative about including progress specific to key moments in their agenda to excite and entice potential donors.

The best part is that you don’t need a team of graphic designers to make your thermometer stand apart. You can get creative with tools like Canva or use a simple editor to add your preferred brand colors and a powerful background image. The dynamic display will have a unique URL, so all you have to do is paste the code to project it live or share it.

4 Ways to Raise More With a Fundraising Thermometer

Now that you understand the purpose and potential of this tool, we’ll show you how to make the most of your fundraising thermometer or progress bar at each stage of your campaign.

1. Create a Sense of Urgency Around Your Campaign

Immediately greet campaign page visitors with a fundraising progress bar at the top or close to where they take action (for example, a Donate Now button).

Hook prospective donors by showing them how their contributions impact the bigger goal. People like to know that they’re part of a winning team, so seeing your progress can entice donors and keep them returning to your campaign page to give again.

You can also incorporate your fundraising progress into the copy on your must-see crowdfunding campaign page, donation appeals, and social media marketing messages to take it up a notch. When you know exactly how much you have left to raise, you’re in the best spot to tie that to the impact it will make and the sense of urgency.

Fundraisers That Motivate Unlock Donor Acquisition and Volume

Fundraising progress bars are a great peer-to-peer tool to fuel giving. Communicating each fundraiser’s progress toward a goal helps spark motivation, increase donor acquisition, and boost the average gift size.

80% of donors who donate to a P2P campaign are new to the nonprofit.

2. Engage Supporters in Real Time on Event Day

As more attendees return to in-person experiences, a digital display fundraising thermometer invites your target audience to see real-time donation progress toward a critical goal or milestone. You can implement this tool during your gala fundraisers, endurance events, auctions, and other creative fundraising initiatives.

Recently, Tim Tebow came on stage at a Tim Tebow Foundation event hosted by Classy Live. He called on guests to “answer the call” while displaying a fundraising thermometer to drive urgency within a specific period.

When your goal is on display for the entirety of your event, it’s a constant reminder of what brought you all together and what you can accomplish as a result. This is crucial for all campaign types, but particularly for events, which have more potential to bring in significant gifts when attendees feel motivated.

How to Customize Your Fundraising Thermometer Image on Classy at Live Events

• Choose your view: Select a thermometer view in Classy to showcase your progress toward your overall goal or how much you’ve raised within a specific time frame. You can always switch throughout the event.
• Create your display: Add a background image, display name, and goal amount to thoughtfully tap into human emotion and get people excited to watch the thermometer go up.
• Craft a thank you message: Choose the text that appears above the donation total dollar amount, like “Thank You for Donating” or “You Made the Difference.”

As your thermometer hits specific milestones like one-quarter of your goal, offer moments of engagement with your guests. Consider a text-to-donate prompt, a donation match announcement, or another creative way to get them excited to hit the next progress point.

How to Bring a Fundraising Progress Bar to Your Virtual Event

Display progress in a virtual venue with a fundraising progress bar at the bottom of your livestream. On Classy, you can turn this on or off easily. In addition, show individual progress bars for anyone fundraising on your behalf.

For hybrid events, showcasing a digital display on a screen for those in-person and virtually is a great way to encourage engagement and boost participation from near and far.

3. Build Connections With a Clear Impact on Donations

The impact of your fundraising thermometer doesn’t end when your campaign does. Use it as a way to put numbers to the impact of your supporters’ donations. People feel motivated to give (and give again) when they understand how their donations move the needle for an organization.

Regular communication is crucial in any strong retention strategy. Celebrate supporters around the exact percentage in which you exceeded your campaign goal, for example. At the same time, if you didn’t hit your goal, you can use that to extend your campaign strategically and call on supporters to help you close the gap.

4. Use the Data to Inform Future Fundraising Strategies

Numbers are great for demonstrating donors’ impact and informing your future campaign strategies. Think about how your campaign progress summary can designate the benchmarks you want to hit for future events and campaigns.

The following data points can help you set goals for future initiatives:

• The likelihood of donors giving at the beginning or end of a campaign
• The time it took to hit the quarter, halfway, and three-quarter mark of your overall campaign goal
• The donors who gave repeat donations and the drivers influencing that
• The individual fundraising pages that brought in the most donations
• The average donation amount of individual fundraising pages
• The percentage in which you exceeded or did not hit your campaign goal

Get proactive in collecting these data points throughout your campaign, then regroup afterward to make intelligent and realistic goals for the future.

Use Fundraising Thermometers to Unlock Donations

Your online fundraising tracker signals your audience to take immediate action. Keep donor connection the top priority regardless of how you put your fundraising progress bars or thermometers to use. 

Set yourself up to reach your goal, celebrate the win, and push your organization to achieve more from your fundraising efforts with a motivated donor base.

Article Sources 

1. “Development, Data, and the Psychology of Giving,” Faunalytics, accessed April 24, 2023, https://faunalytics.org/development-data-and-the-psychology-of-giving/.

Food fundraisers come in many shapes and sizes and give donors a central theme to rally around. With a little planning, you can leverage food-based events to fundraise for your nonprofit while building and strengthening your community of supporters.

Nonprofits can also leverage Classy to make food fundraisers easy and effective. Below, we’ll show you how. We’ll also cover some of the main questions nonprofits have about food fundraisers and offer 18 food fundraiser ideas to get you started with planning yours.

What Are the Benefits of Food Fundraisers?

Sharing a meal or drink naturally brings people together. For example, families gather for holiday favorites during Thanksgiving, friends enjoy barbecues together in the park, and co-workers socialize over happy hours. However, a food fundraiser is an exciting and engaging event that supports a good cause.

Food is a powerful tool for relationship building, and relationships are the foundation of fundraising. Emphasizing food for your upcoming campaign can tap into the jovial connection shared meals create and ultimately increase your fundraising ability.

In addition to leveraging the relationships food facilitates, food fundraisers:

• Provide a theme that attendees can talk about with each other
• Draw in new supporters interested in your food theme
• Give donors a tasty incentive in exchange for their support
• Offer opportunities to partner with local businesses and restaurants

You’re likely familiar with the food fundraiser model. For example, Girl Scouts sell cookies, high school fundraising may leverage a spaghetti dinner, or restaurants may give a portion of their proceeds to a local charity. This familiarity can encourage supporters to participate.

Food fundraisers can also help spice up peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities via food sales. Your supporters can fundraise on your behalf by selling candy bars or other goods rather than making requests for donations.

How Do You Plan a Food Fundraiser?

Your food fundraiser planning process will depend on the type of food fundraiser you choose. A bake sale will require a different setup and marketing than a fundraising gala dinner.

The basic steps for planning a food fundraising event are:

• Determine theme and approach: Decide whether to host a food-focused event, conduct a sale, add a food component to an existing event, or launch a peer-to-peer initiative. Consider if there’s a type of food or a theme you want to highlight.
• Set a fundraising goal and timeline: Note key dates for marketing and outreach, securing event space, hosting the event, and other milestones. Consider how much you hope to raise from the event and create your budget for it.
• Set up a fundraising campaign page: Use Classy to set up a registration page or allow for a registration with fundraising option to collect entry fees.
• Secure in-kind donations and sponsors: Partner with local businesses and retailers like local restaurants for donated food items, beverages, napkins, utensils, and plates. Consider securing donated event space, if needed, and receiving corporate sponsorships to cover additional costs of hosting your food fundraiser.
• Leverage volunteers: Ask volunteers to help you spread the word about your event, then educate them about your goals during a volunteer training. Consider utilizing these individuals to assist with setting up and taking down your event, tapping into their networks for donations, helping prepare or serve food, and other tasks to make your event a success.
• Invite supporters to participate: Use Instagram best practices and other social media to spread the word about your food fundraiser to community members. Consider using online ticket sales for nonprofits to drive advance registrations.
• Host event and report on progress: Keep your food fundraiser participants engaged and update them on how they can help you meet your fundraising goal. Consider doing this by displaying a fundraising thermometer at your event.

How Can You Get Creative With Your Food Fundraiser?

A great way to get creative with your food fundraiser is to center it around a theme. You can tie it into a holiday, regional cuisines, sporting events, or other activities and flavors.

Once you pick your theme, create unique marketing designs that relate to it. For example, if hosting a food fundraiser with the theme of baseball snacks, create a name and logo for the event that incorporates baseball terminology and imagery. You can also use a color palette similar to your local home team.

Remember that food fundraisers offer many opportunities for fundraising. Get creative with how you raise money and offer participants many ways to give, such as through:

• Event entrance fees or sampling tickets
• A la carte food sales
• Raffle tickets for local restaurant gift certificates or other great food experiences
• Silent auction items like food-themed gift baskets

Another fun way to engage your food fundraiser participants is by incorporating some lighthearted competition. Consider offering a challenge supporters can enter, such as a bake-off or your version of “Top Chef.”

However you decide to get creative with your food fundraising event, always try to customize it to align with your mission. For example, if you serve a particular region in the world, consider incorporating foods from that area. If you run a community garden, cook meals that use vegetables your program grew.

What Are the Best Types of Food Fundraisers?

Food fundraisers are some of the best fundraising ideas because these can take so many different forms depending on your budget, needs, and interests. The best types of food fundraisers are engaging, fun, memorable, and low-cost.

Below are 18 food fundraising ideas to get you started.

1. Bake Sale

Selling baked goods is a great way to leverage the power of small donations. You can also call on your volunteers to help create tasty items for your event.

2. Pancake Breakfast

Since you can buy pancake mix in bulk and make many hotcakes quickly, pancake breakfasts offer a low-cost, tasty way to socialize and raise funds for your cause.

3. BBQ or Grill Competition

A grill-off is a great summer fundraising idea. Invite your supporters to a local park and enjoy the day and some barbecue.

4. Food Truck Event

Another favorite, food trucks, have grown in popularity over the years. Consider partnering with some of your local favorites to organize a tasting event with music and other activities. Setup is easy as long as you have an available parking lot. You can charge an admission fee or ask food truck vendors to donate some of their proceeds to your good cause.

5. Eating Contest

A silly way for your supporters to connect and have a little fun is through eating contests. Host a pie-eating or hot dog-eating contest to see who in your community has what it takes to win.

6. Cakewalk

A fun idea to incorporate into events is a cakewalk, especially for those with a carnival theme where attendees purchase tickets for different rides and games. Have volunteers bake cakes or get them donated from local bakeries. It’s simple to play: attendees walk in a circle of numbers while music plays. Then, when the music stops, if the announcer calls their number, they get to pick out a cake.

7. Cooking Class

Center an event around a cooking class. A local chef can donate their time for an evening, with all purchases of the experience benefiting your nonprofit.

8. Wine Tasting

Partner with local wineries to host a wine-tasting event. It can take place at the winery or as a happy hour at a local bar or restaurant.

9. Dine Out for a Cause

Partner with local eateries and ask those businesses to donate a percentage of profits from a given night to your cause. These drive business to the restaurants while getting your nonprofit brand out there as well. You can include a QR code on table flyers or menus during the event that links diners to your donation form.

10. Chili Cook-Off

A fun competition for the winter months when your donors want to stay warm is chili cook-offs. You can charge an entrance fee to join the competition and for supporters to sample the chilis and vote for their favorites. Consider getting gift cards donated as prizes for the winners.

11. Cookie Dough or Candy Sales

Candy bars, lollipops, and cookies—there’s nothing like a sweet treat. Selling these items works well for online fundraising and peer-to-peer campaigns.

12. Ice Cream Social

What’s a better low-cost, fun way for supporters to come together and build connections than an ice cream social? You can sell the ice cream dishes a la carte or charge an entry fee. Consider partnering with a local ice cream shop that can provide a coupon to attendees for a future ice cream treat as a thank-you for supporting the event.

13. Halloween Festival

Among the holiday-themed ideas, Halloween festivals offer many ways to incorporate food fundraisers. You can sell pumpkin pies, caramel apples, and other treats. Include a spooky cookie decorating contest or other seasonally-themed food activities.

14. Valentine’s Day Gifts

Consider a Valentine’s Day fundraiser to sell heart-shaped chocolates or other treats that donors can have delivered to their significant others, friends, and family. This lets you both raise funds for your cause and get your message out to potential new supporters who receive the gifts.

15. Snack Bar

Concession stands at various events—whether yours or another community event—are a simple way to work a food fundraiser into an activity. You can partner with local sports teams to sell food at their games or set up a snack bar at a car wash, benefit concert, movie night, or 5K charity run.

16. Cookbook Fundraiser

Whether a food bank, community garden, or another related cause, cookbook fundraisers are a great idea for nonprofits working within the food space. Everyone on your team offers one of their favorite recipes to go into your book, then you can sell those books to your supporters.

17. Potluck Dinner

A perfect idea for small nonprofits that want to emphasize a sense of community among supporters is a potluck dinner. Attendees pay a small donation to join and bring a dish to share. Supporters can then mix and mingle and enjoy each other’s generosity.

18. Gala Night

If you want to host a more formal fundraiser, a gala event is a perfect option. Attendees typically receive a nice, sit-down dinner as part of the experience. Work with local caterers to have meals donated. Participants’ registration fees also cover keynote speakers, music, and other activities to enjoy throughout the evening.

Get Creative With Food Fundraising Ideas to Engage Your Supporters

If you’re looking for easy fundraising ideas for your next event, consider incorporating food into the experience. Food fundraisers allow nonprofits to get creative, build community, and drive traffic toward their donations website.

If you’re thinking, “Wait, what is a paddle raise,” we’ve got you covered. You might know a paddle raise as a “fund-a-need” or direct appeal, but it’s simply an easy fundraising idea that nonprofits can use to drive direct event donations. 

We’ll dive even deeper into what a paddle raise event is below and the Classy team’s best recommendations for making the most of yours.

What Is a Paddle Raise Event?

A paddle raise event is a type of fundraising auction where supporters pledge certain dollar amounts to an organization, typically for a specific purpose or special appeal. 

You can brand a paddle raise event around a specific initiative or keep it generalized to your overarching mission. Either way, it’s a great way to create a moment of excitement that gives your supporters a direct path to contribute to your cause.

What is the purpose of hosting a paddle raise event?

Paddle raise events fuel excitement and comradery among a group of passionate people who come together around a cause. You might use a paddle raise event to tell your story and ignite action at a time of heightened need or engage your event audience with another way to showcase their passion through a fun addition to the agenda. 

How does a paddle raise auction work?

Your paddle raise auction can be a live, virtual, or hybrid event with options for in-person or online attendance, thanks to modern nonprofit event platforms. 

During a paddle raise, the auctioneer asks for different donations in varying amounts from the crowd for raffle items. Guests raise their paddles or bid numbers to commit to a gift of that size. The gifts you choose and the timing of your paddle raise is up to you.

What are the benefits of hosting a paddle raise?

Your paddle raise can boost energy to avoid lulls during your fundraising event and unite your community around a shared interest. It’s also a way to spark healthy competition. 

You might even consider positioning it as a team event that calls on each paddle raise as a piece to the larger solution your nonprofit creates with the money you raise. 

How do you organize a paddle raise to reach your fundraising goals?

This is where your creativity comes in. We’ll share some of our favorite tips from nonprofits that hosted paddle raise events through Classy Live, but ultimately you want to think about how to leave a lasting impression to garner continued support following the event. 

Every decision you make will impact the way you make people feel at your event and the way they share that feeling with others when it ends. That’s especially valuable after our Why America Gives report found that 71% of donors are most likely to learn about new causes and charitable giving opportunities from friends and family. 

Top Tips to Plan Your Successful Paddle Raise Event

1. Think About the Virtual Experience

Your paddle raise can become virtual to appeal to your audience, wherever they are. 

Classy Live lets you carry a consistent experience for in-person guests and virtual attendees with mobile bidding. You’ll add your paddle raise auction item to the back end of the event platform with preset donation levels, then have admins add commitments made live to the back end to transition smoothly to the attendee’s cart. 

Virtually, you can host your paddle raise items on a public auction or donation page where guests can make commitments digitally on their mobile devices or laptops. From there, a simple self-checkout process guides them to completion. 

2. Make It Easy to Check in Guests

On the note of seamless experiences for attendees, your check-in process matters. When nonprofit teams host an event in Classy Live, whether virtual or in person, they have full access to a single source of truth for attendee records.

They can update attendee information throughout the event easily and allow attendees to add a credit card right at check-in to make any donations or purchases simpler than ever. 

For organizations using an integrated customer relationship management (CRM) tool, the CRM also updates each attendee record to help you stay in touch after the event. This is key to streamlining your donor management processes and initiatives. 

3. Think Through Payment Experiences

Since you don’t want any barriers to interfere with donations, you’ll need to provide various ways for supporters to give. Classy Live’s card reader solution gives nonprofits a quick way to tap a guest’s credit card and store the information on file for paddle raise commitments, fixed-priced items, or participation in a live or silent auction.

We always recommend adding various payment methods in advance, such as PayPal, Venmo, or other trusted digital wallets. When your donation forms and registration websites offer the options donors prefer, you ensure a completed transaction in just a few clicks.

4. Keep It Simple

Events that include raising paddles come with a lot of considerations, especially when tied to a larger fundraising gala or charity auction. 

Your software can help ease the process of tracking bidder numbers, auction items, paddle numbers, and specific paddle raise items. Let your tech handle the fast-paced activity while you focus on engaging your guests. 

Additional tracking details you can take advantage of include:

• The type of auction item (silent, fixed price, live, or paddle raise)
• The title of the item
• A number for the item
• The category describing the item
• A picture of the item
• The description of the item

5. Increase the Ways You Can Raise Money

Finally, pair your paddle raise with other opportunities when attendees access your auction page. Supporters can place bids or purchase silent auction items, paddle raise items, or fixed-price items. The more opportunities you present to passionate donors, the more you can raise on behalf of your mission through a single event.

Experience Paddle Raise Fundraising on Classy Live

If you’re already thinking about how much your event supporters would love to boost engagement with a new element like a paddle raise, we’re here to help you craft a standout event. Classy Live helps the nonprofit community reach the modern donor without the extra work. 

An auction fundraiser can be a stand-alone online campaign with mobile bidding or part of your next event to take its impact to the next level. Plus, bidders get to have fun vying for their favorite prizes all while supporting a good cause.

To run a successful silent auction, you need to identify and collect items that will excite your audience. Below, we’ll provide tips on how to run a silent auction and collect the right items for this fundraising idea. We’ll also share 30 silent auction ideas to jump-start planning for your next nonprofit fundraiser.

What Are Some Tips for Running a Silent Auction?

Whether hosting an in-person auction or online auction, using event software for nonprofits can make your next silent auction a breeze. Classy Live saves event admins time and improves participants’ experiences during silent auctions.

Templates for bid sheets come built into the mobile bidding platform. That way, event admins can set reserve prices for silent auction items—meaning the minimum amount they’ll accept for that item—but still have the starting price begin lower to encourage bidding.

Meanwhile, attendees can set maximum bids for items they want, and Classy Live will automatically place new bids when outbid until they reach their max. This lets attendees focus more on enjoying the event than constantly checking their phones.

Additionally, virtual fundraising event platforms make collecting payments for silent auction items easy. With Classy Live, attendees can save a credit card on file before participating in a silent auction, purchasing fixed-priced items, or making donation commitments in a digital paddle raise. Event organizers can then swipe or tap attendees’ credit cards to have that information ready to go for an easy checkout at the end of the auction.

How Do You Solicit Items for a Silent Auction?

Before gathering items for your silent auction, make a list of some of the goods, services, and experiences you’d most like to offer. For each item, note the people and businesses you could contact for potential in-kind donations.

While you’ll likely reach out to some new restaurants or gift shops during this process, don’t forget to tap friends, family, nonprofit board members, volunteers, and others already involved with your organization.

Once you nail down ideas for auction items, you can begin your outreach. Send emails, make calls, and consider visiting local businesses to share information about your event and the items you want. You can also put the word out over social media by letting people know the types of items you have and how they can become critical sponsors for your event.

Make sure to tell potential donors about your:

• Mission and ambitions
• Target audience and how it aligns with theirs
• Goals for highlighting their auction donation
• Intentions for this event to help you make a difference in the community

What Are Good Ideas for a Silent Auction?

Overall, you want to find unique items and unique experiences to fuel your silent auction and satisfy your winning bidders. The best charity auction items will depend on your event and audience.

If your event already has a theme, try to pair your silent auction items with that. For example, a silent auction at a wine-and-cheese night may include items like tickets for a winery tour, a cheese board gift basket, and other related gifts.

Additionally, consider the demographics and interests of your attendees. Are you hosting established professionals able to bid on high-end items, or do you expect more college students interested in smaller items that still let them make a difference? In other words, tailor the experience to your target donors.

If you’ll have a mix of attendees, include big-ticket items and some smaller, more approachable options.

In general, there are five main categories of successful silent auction items:

• Experiences: Opportunities that give donors a chance to do something—it’s even better to tie these to your mission. For example, a forest preservation nonprofit could auction off a day exploring national forest trails with a ranger.
• Travel: Items related to vacations, traveling, and a chance for donors to get away and make some memories.
• Sports: Memorabilia, tickets, and activities that connect to your donors’ favorite teams.
• Music: Autographs, lessons, and events that connect with your audience’s musical tastes.
• Food: Chances for your donors to try new restaurants and food experiences.

Below, we’ll help you start brainstorming by highlighting 30 high-performing silent auction item ideas that build off these themes. These popular auction items can help inspire your event’s next bidding war.

1. Photo Shoot

Local artists and photographers may want to donate a family portrait day or professional headshot session.

2. Weekend Getaways

Everyone loves a good staycation. Check with nearby resorts or glampgrounds to offer weekend getaways as an auction item.

3. All-Inclusive Trips

An all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean will surely be a hot auction item. Reach out to cruise lines and resorts for donations.

4. Hotel Stays

Nights at boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts make for great silent auction items. You can also consider credits to larger national hotel chains for winners to book their stay at their location of choice.

5. Airline Tickets

Flight credits offer silent auction bidders a chance to win discounted travel to their locations of choice.

6. Date Nights

Great date nights could include gift cards curated into bundles for bidders. For example, you could include a restaurant reservation, limo ride, and movie tickets.

7. Spa Days

Wellness providers in your area may want to donate services like pedicures, manicures, facials, or massages for your silent auction.

8. Brewery Tours

Local breweries may be willing to offer VIP tours of their facilities along with tastings as a silent auction item.

9. Sunset or Harbor Cruises

If your nonprofit is near a river or bay, see if local companies offer evening boat rides. These can be memorable experiences for donors to bid on.

10. Museum Tickets

Tickets to art museums, science centers, and other cultural institutions can be fun excursions for silent auction bidders.

11. Theme Park Tickets

Disney World, Dollywood, and Six Flags—entice the amusement park lovers in your community with donated passes to some of their favorites.

12. Comedy Nights

Tickets to stand-up comedians touring in the area or other comedy nights can be an appealing auction item for supporters looking for some laughs.

13. Hot Air Balloon Rides

Taking a hot air balloon ride is on many people’s bucket lists. Having one donated for your silent auction is bound to encourage bidding.

14. Outdoor Adventure Activities

Local outfitters and guides may want to donate excursions like hiking, kayaking, bungee jumping, horseback riding, or rafting.

15. Sporting Event Tickets

Tickets to local minor league games or favorite teams in the region are popular items. See if there are any tournaments happening in your area that you can help donors score tickets to attend.

16. Sports Memorabilia

Other items sports lovers will enjoy include signed baseball cards, footballs, and other memorabilia from their favorite athletes.

17. Meet and Greet With Athletes

If you have a minor league baseball or hockey team in your area, see if they’d be willing to donate an outing with one of their local celebrity athletes.

18. Golf Outings

A round of golf at your local course is a great silent auction idea. You can pair it with a new set of golf clubs to up the auction item’s value.

19. Ski Passes

Another fun experience that donors can bid on to help plan their future travels is ski passes.

20. Yoga Classes

Local yoga studios might be willing to donate class packs or a monthly membership for your silent auction.

21. Spin Classes

Spin studios are another favorite workout spot for many people. Check with those in your area to see if they can donate some classes for your silent auction.

22. Concert Tickets

Local theaters or musicians may want to donate concert tickets for performances. You can also check with streaming services to see if they’ll donate a platform membership where winning bidders can watch their favorite artists live no matter where they are.

23. Backstage Passes

Music lovers will enjoy the chance to meet their favorite musicians and have special access to concerts with backstage passes.

24. Signed Instruments or Albums

Your network may be able to help you secure signed instruments, albums, or photos from famous musicians or local bands.

25. Music Lessons

Auction items that offer chances to try new things are often a hit. See if local music teachers would be willing to donate a few hours for bidders interested in learning the guitar, piano, or another instrument.

26. Local Restaurant Gift Certificates

Not having to do the cooking for a night is always appreciated. Gift certificates to favorite nearby restaurants are good auction items for bidders across budget levels.

27. Wine Tastings

A wine-tasting experience as part of a silent auction gift basket that includes a bottle of wine, a new wine opener, and other related items is another surefire winner.

28. Cooking Lessons

Donating a cooking class is a great way to offer an experience that foodies will love. Winning bidders will get the chance to make high-quality meals with star chefs.

29. Food Gift Baskets

Food items are always great for silent auction basket ideas. You can create themed baskets, such as one for dessert lovers or one with everything needed to make the perfect charcuterie board.

30. Landscaping Services

Another item auction participants may love is landscaping services. See if local providers will donate pruning, lawn mowing, or gardening services for winning bidders.

Engage Event Attendees and Boost Fundraising Revenue With Creative Silent Auction Ideas

You’ll be off to a great start if you can identify silent auction items that are experiential in nature. These help create positive memories and lasting relationships with your donors. It’s as easy as tapping into your networks and contacting local businesses to secure unique items your participants will enjoy.

If you want to boost your event’s bottom line with a silent auction, Classy Live can help you unlock your fundraising potential with ease. Whether in person, virtual, or hybrid, we can streamline the administrative process for your event staff while offering a user-friendly bidding interface for attendees.

After all, your donation button is your nonprofit’s main call to action (CTA). Standard guidance on showcasing your donation button for online giving includes ensuring it is easy to find, links to the correct page, and stands out using contrasting colors—but it doesn’t end there. 

Today, we’re showing you how to further strategize its usage across your different online fundraising efforts. An intentional approach helps your story reach more ideal supporters and makes visitors more likely to take action as they digest and engage with your page.

Below, we look at creative ways to format the best donation button across different fundraising campaign types, with examples from five nonprofits that bring the donor experience to the next level.

1. Peer-to-Peer Campaigns: Focus on Strategic Placement and Visual Distinction

Peer-to-peer fundraising tools allow supporters to fundraise on your behalf. A donation button on your peer-to-peer campaign helps you collect even more one-time (and recurring) gifts for your campaign. 

Since these two CTA buttons—to fundraise or donate—live on your campaign page, you want to distinguish them visually. That could mean using color variations, separating sizing, or adding a contrasting visual that guides a page visitor to the options you offer.

One example comes from Texas Appleseed, a nonprofit working to “promote social and economic justice for all Texans by leveraging the skills and resources of volunteer lawyers and other professionals to identify practical solutions to difficult systemic problems.” The nonprofit’s peer-to-peer fundraising campaign helped it raise over $35,000.

At the top of its campaign page, Texas Appleseed highlights the opportunity to fundraise and donate. The “Become a Fundraiser” CTA leads the two with a transparent background and white outline that grabs visitors’ attention. 

Next to it is the highly visible donation button in red. Each CTA’s visually distinct yet grabby design catches the eye. The strategic proximity of these two buttons—visible at the top of the fold when a supporter lands on the page—gives supporters multiple opportunities to help the nonprofit reach its goal.

Farther down the campaign page, the nonprofit elevates the peer-to-peer component by listing some of the campaign’s top fundraisers and including the headline “Support a Fundraiser” to encourage donors to give directly to a peer’s personal fundraising page.

Pro Tip: By placing a donation button strategically alongside your CTA to fundraise, you can engage more donors by offering options for how they can participate in your peer-to-peer campaigns.

2. Crowdfunding Campaigns: Vary Your Donation Button Options

Crowdfunding campaigns allow for maximum creativity with your donation button. Below are two nonprofit examples that varied donation button options across Classy crowdfunding campaigns.

Incorporate Multiple Types of Donation Opportunities

Classy customer Houston Ballet started a crowdfunding campaign to keep its company dancing despite significant challenges resulting from COVID-19. The crowdfunding page featured a clear goal to raise $5 million, and the nonprofit incorporated three different donation opportunities, all supporting the overall goal.

First, the page displays a visually contrasting Donate Now button next to its progress bar on the campaign’s homepage. The placement creates a quick, easy way for donors to see social proof that others have supported the cause, and they can immediately take action as well.

Farther down the page, the campaign uses impact blocks to suggest how different levels of donations can help support the nonprofit during these times. It uses imagery in line with its brand and includes specific details on how the donation will make a difference, such as home-training gear and digital academy classes.

In the final section of the campaign page, the nonprofit includes a Become a Fundraiser button that encourages supporters to start fundraising pages to make an even more significant impact.

Pro Tip: By offering multiple donation buttons that cover various styles and fundraising types throughout your crowdfunding campaign, you give your supporters choices for how they can help you meet your goal. Your donation buttons progressively tell your campaign’s story as the supporter scrolls through your page.

Leverage Impact Blocks to Showcase Recommended Donations

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley provides healthy meals to anyone who needs one within its community. When the pandemic put a pause on its collection of in-kind food donations, the nonprofit started a crowdfunding campaign to fill the gap in its operations and keep the momentum flowing online.

The initial donation button for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley’s campaign is easy to find on the campaign landing page in bright orange, placed next to a short video showcasing some of the nonprofit’s beneficiaries.

Next on the page is an overview of the  nonprofit’s story, which highlights how its food distribution process looks different this year. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley explains how supporters can give a monetary donation for a particular item instead of in-kind food drop-offs.

Impact blocks show donors how different gift amounts translate to specific food items typically provided in kind. For example, the $50 impact block has a graphic of a roast chicken and says you can “fill the barrel” with 85 pounds of a whole chicken. 

The visually engaging custom illustrations, complete with donation buttons in orange, are specific to its branding. You can get creative with visuals that speak to your audience and draw attention with Canva or other design platforms.

Pro Tip: By adding creative impact blocks with donation buttons on your crowdfunding campaign, you provide a fun way for supporters to understand the tangible impact of their donations. If you hit a creative rut, explore these eight simple designs you can create for free using Canva for Nonprofits. 

3. Fundraising Event: Pair One-Time Donation With Registration

In registration with fundraising, you want your supporters to register for your event and start fundraising. For example, for ticketed events, your primary CTA is to buy a ticket.

Special Olympics Washington created a registration with a fundraising campaign page on Classy for its Polar Plunge challenge. On the campaign landing page, donors see a Register button alongside the donation button in the center of the hero block, under the event logo. 

Farther down the page, the nonprofit again pairs a registration button with a donation button next to a progress circle, inspiring people to join those who have already contributed and taken action.

Pro Tip: By distinguishing your registration and donation buttons visually, you inspire participants to donate more at that moment and people who can’t make your event but still want to support.

4. Recurring Giving Campaigns: Pair Donation Button With Powerful Language

Neighborhood Homework House started a recurring giving campaign to fund its mission to support students in its community. Its initial donation button pairs with text branded around the nonprofit organization’s recurring donations campaign. It explains, “For as little as $10 a month, you can rewrite the future of a generation of Azusa students.”

Below the initial donation button is additional text describing the power of small donations and that you can start supporting now by giving up small monthly expenses. 

The campaign then incorporates impact blocks that showcase examples of things a supporter could skip each month to donate to the nonprofit instead. For example, a supporter could choose to donate their $40 tank of gas or $20 meal delivery.

Pro Tip: By shaping your donation options around your recurring giving story, you build a case for your supporters to join your campaign.

6 Bonus Tips to Round Out Your Donation Process

As you set up a donation platform that converts supporters into loyal donors, here are a few last items to check off your list to complete the experience.

1. Offer suggested donation amounts to guide people and collect donations that make a real impact based on the programs you run
2. Think about offering as many payment options as possible outside of just credit cards, such as trusted transaction apps like PayPal and Venmo
3. Leave a checkbox that lets donors opt in to cover their processing fees and give the maximum gift to your mission
4. Provide an easy way for donors to share their actions for good on social media to build cause awareness through their Facebook page or other accounts
5. Consider embedding your donation form directly on your webpage with a simple modal, widget, or pop-up
6. Test the whole process as if you are a potential donor through different mobile devices and browsers to make it as smooth as possible

Think Creatively About Your Donation Button to Increase Supporter Engagement

Strategic use and formatting of online donation buttons can increase support across different campaign types. Think creatively about what types of donate buttons to use, how to place them, and ways to brand them to your mission to engage your audience and encourage donations.

As you build your donor-centric fundraising strategy, Classy has your back.

Below, we’ve identified the 38 best fundraising ideas for kids in 2023. You’ll find everything from traditional fundraising activities, like raffles and auctions, to more creative fundraising ideas, like flamingo flocking and battle-of-the-bands concerts.

The Best Fundraising Ideas for Kids

1. Sell Tickets for Coveted Raffle Items

Host a raffle. After all, raffles are a tried-and-true fundraising activity. Simple to execute, kids will have an easy time participating. Here’s how to make it happen:

• Choose an item: Source an item from a community partner or popular store. It should be something desirable but not too expensive. 

• Sell tickets: Encourage school students, young athletes, or children from local church communities to sell raffle tickets to participants or family members at an event.

• Draw a winner: Draw the winner and encourage that person to post a photo or celebration post with their raffle prize on social media to draw more attention to your cause.

2. Sell Candy Bars

Include children in your fundraising efforts by selling candy bars in bulk. Kids can sell the candy at school, parents’ offices, events, or church.  

Plus, many candy bar companies provide fundraising discounts. For example, you can contact the Hershey’s distributor to find a local, reliable distributor for all your chocolate bar needs.  

3. Host a Penny Drive

Partner with local businesses and restaurants in your community to put fundraising jars at checkouts. Children visiting these establishments with their parents or guardians will have the opportunity to make a small gift to your nonprofit by putting a few cents in the jar. 

Parents may also encourage their children to take on additional chores or tasks at home to earn an allowance, then donate that money to your nonprofit’s fundraising jar. This is a great way to engage the entire family and create a seamless, no-fuss fundraiser. 

4. Round Up With Local Businesses

Ask local kid-friendly businesses to partner with your fundraising initiative. You could host an ice cream social at the local ice cream shop or offer discounted tickets to a nearby theme park. This encourages families to spend a day or evening together while simultaneously supporting a good cause. 

While you have the children together, educate them on the importance of what you do and why events like this are so valuable. This education at a young age can make a big impact. 

Another great way to source additional donations is to ask customers attending the partner event if they’d like to round up their purchase and contribute to your fundraiser. It’s a small ask for customers (since they always give less than a dollar), but that money adds up over time.

5. Hold a Walk-a-Thon

Plan an unforgettable walk-a-thon with a pledge fundraising model. Children can ask parents, friends, and community members to donate based on their performance—measured by miles, laps, or time.

6. Host a Kid-Friendly Auction 

Encourage children to contribute material items or original creations to your in-person or online auction. Ask them to create an art project or painting, or maybe they want to spend their allowance on a new item for the event. 

Before nailing down your plan, determine if you’d like your event to be a traditional or silent auction model. Aside from contributing their items or creations to the auction, motivate each child to get involved in other ways like: 

• Congratulating winners with handwritten thank-you notes
• Delivering auction items to winners’ tables at the live event
• Encouraging friends and family to bid on their items

7. Guess the Number in the Jar

Stimulate children’s minds while including them in your cause with this fun way to fundraise. Fill a jar with candy, trinkets, or coins and ask kids to guess how many pieces of that item are in the jar. 

Put your jar at an event, school classroom, or local business, and ask for a small fee or 30 minutes of volunteer time for contributors to guess the quantity inside. The winner gets the jar and all the goodies inside.

8. Create a T-Shirt Fundraiser

Invite children to create unique designs for T-shirts that reflect your cause, then ask them to vote for their favorite. Feature the winning design on T-shirts you plan to sell to supporters, family, and friends. 

Don’t forget to add a call to action to your shirts (e.g., “Save water, save the planet”) so that your shirt can act as a brand-awareness builder and free advertising.  

9. Prepare a Scavenger Hunt

Encourage children at a local school to design a scavenger hunt. You could charge admission for kids and families to participate or exchange their participation for volunteer time. 

To elevate childrens’ participation in your event, ask them to:

• Identify items for the scavenger hunt
• Plan where to hide the items
• Create clues and riddles
• Give out hints (when necessary)
• Count the points
• Award the winners

10. Host a Talent Show

Provide an opportunity for kids, classmates, or community members to show off their skills with a talent show. Charge a small admission for participants and audience members and sell concessions at the fundraising event. 

You want everyone to feel supported and encouraged, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it a competition. Recruit judges to assess the talents and award an overall winner. 

11. Plan a Local Race

Plan a 5K fun run for kids and adults. Charge an admission fee for the runners and give a small percentage of the proceeds to the winner, or dedicate 100% of the fees to your mission, and instead feature the winner on your social sites, newsletter, and homepage. 

Depending on your environment and the time of year, you can get creative by doing the following:

• Trail race
• Stroller race
• Speed-walking race
• Midnight race
• Snowshoe race
• Costume-themed race

12. Sell Flowers

Consider selling flowers around holidays, like Valentine’s Day or Easter, that children can send to their friends, parents, or loved ones for an affordable price. You could do this online or in person and even take it up a notch by adding delivery services. This adds a personal touch to the experience that recipients are sure to appreciate.

13. Bake and Sell Treats

Encourage children in your area to pick a few recipes they’d like to make and ask parents to help them bake these special treats. You’ll also need to organize a drop-off location for families to deliver the treats they made, then sell them to the community or go door-to-door. 

14. Wash Cars

Recruit a group of young volunteers to host a traditional pop-up car wash. You could partner with a local business, school, or church to secure prime real estate and exposure for this activity. Then, invite kids to wash the cars and collect the money. 

15. Offer Lawn Services

Ask around your community to see if any young supporters can provide lawn-care services. This can be especially helpful for senior citizens or those unable to perform these services themselves. Lawn services could include:

• Mowing grass
• Trimming bushes and trees
• Picking up trash
• Planting flowers
• Mending fences
• Painting
• Shoveling snow
• Raking leaves
• Watering plants

16. Pick Up Christmas Trees

Offer to pick up and dispose of real Christmas trees in exchange for a small donation. Pass out flyers or go door-to-door before Christmas to get pledges. After the new year, young, licensed supporters of your nonprofit can rent or borrow a truck or trailer and pick up the trees for donations. 

17. Hold a Parent’s Night Out

Recruit babysitters to watch the younger kids while parents go out for a date. Ask parents for a small donation or partner with local restaurants on the same night to donate a percentage of sales to your cause. Either way, these young adults support your cause by volunteering their time. 

18. Partner With Restaurants and Businesses

Provide an opportunity for parents and families to visit restaurants and businesses in your community. Teenagers could set up a free daycare night at the school or community center to watch the kids while the parents go out.

Partner with businesses to guarantee a percentage of sales as donations to your cause. Restaurants and shops in your community get more business, parents get much-needed alone time, and you raise donations—everyone wins.

19. Host a Karaoke Night

Recruit your supporters within a certain age range to perform at your event and encourage them to find friends and family who will come support. Ask audience members to donate a small fee for entry or sign up for a volunteer opportunity. 

20. Offer Face Painting

Provide face painting services at events like a parade or field days. Invite children in your community to do the face painting as an opportunity to serve and build relationships with other kids involved with your cause. You could ask for donations in exchange for the face painting or sell snacks and beverages at your stand for guaranteed revenue. 

21. Provide Gift Wrapping Services

Partner with a local community business to provide gift-wrapping services around the holiday season. Here are a few businesses you might consider partnering with:

• Bookstores
• Toy stores
• Clothing stores
• Candle stores
• Perfume and fragrance stores

Teach children how to do the gift wrapping, then let them provide the service. It might not be perfect, but it’s an opportunity for them to serve others. Plus, any gift will mean more because a child wrapped it. 

22. Have a Trivia Night

Gather families and children together for a trivia night. Ask for donations for entry and reward the winning person (or team) with a small prize. But don’t forget to encourage participants to seek pledges from their community beforehand. For example, a family might collect pledges based on how many points they accumulate. 

23. Run a Shoe Drive Fundraiser

Collect used (or unused) shoes from kids in the community who have outgrown their favorite pairs. Children go through shoes quickly, and those pairs deserve a better home than stuffed in a closet somewhere. Give parents and children an opportunity to put their retired sneakers and sandals to good use by donating them to your shoe drive fundraiser. 

24. Create an Obstacle Course

Challenge local youth groups or classes at school to design an obstacle course and charge a small fee to participate. Children can either pay for an attempt or purchase an upgraded package that allows for unlimited tries.

25. Sell Cookie Dough

Let donors buy the one thing with a longer shelf than baked goods at bake sales: cookie dough. Plus, it’s irresistible. Donors will love purchasing this tasty treat from children in their community because they can either eat the cookie dough raw (yes, please!) or bake it when they want fresh cookies. 

26. Hold a Book Sale

Ask kids in your area to collect books they’ve already read or left deserted on their bookshelves and put them up for sale. Resell them for a steep discount to collect profits for your cause. Parents will love finding a low-price deal on a book they’ll likely have to purchase for their kids’ required reading programs. 

27. Sell Popcorn at Events

Partner with community, school, church, sports, and recreational events to sell popcorn. Kids can run the stand with the assistance of a parent or volunteer and explain your nonprofit’s mission to customers as they purchase their snack. 

People will likely enjoy the extra concession options, and you can collect donations off hungry attendees. Popcorn has an incredibly high return on investment, so your nonprofit organization can keep the bulk of the revenue.

28. Put Your Teacher in Jail

Get classes to work together (maybe to jail the principal) or put them against each other (to jail the “winning” teacher). Metaphorically, of course. “Jail” means the teacher has to sit in their classroom or the teacher’s lounge while the kids have a field day or extra recess. 

29. Plan a Pumpkin-Carving Contest

Sell pumpkins and carving supplies for a jack-o’-lantern competition around Halloween. You might make this fall fundraising idea part of a bigger event or host it separately. Reward the winning pumpkin carver with a trophy or trinket they can keep as a reward. 

30. Organize a Family Game Night

Provide everything the whole family would need for a hassle-free game night. This might include: 

• Space (gym, recreation center, public area, or pavilion)
• Games (board games, card games, and party games)
• Snacks (chips, desserts, and drinks)

Then, find some fun referees for games like Twister or tag. You could also create a family-vs-family tournament and reward the winning family. 

Participants can register for a set fee or agree to run a peer-to-peer campaign that engages their friends and family. Once they raise a certain amount, they’re welcome to attend. 

31. Initiate a Field Day

Host a field day after school or on the weekend with events for kids to participate and compete in various sports. Add sports they might have never tried before, like hacky sack, climbing, jumping, and Frisbee. Charge a small fee for kids to participate.

32. Start a Rubber Duck Race

Encourage participants to purchase a rubber duck to enter in a water race (ducks should have numbers on the bottom). The donor with the winning duck wins a prize. 

You might even consider breaking this into smaller groups to allow more participants to win. For example, you might have 10 races of five contestants rather than one race with 50. 

33. Set Up Flamingo Flocking

Flamingo flocking is a fun way to engage your friends, family, and community. Here’s how it works:

• Someone donates money to nominate a neighbor for flamingo flocking
• Kids sneak over to the house and plant pink flamingos all over the yard
• Kids leave a note asking for a donation and nomination
• Kids move the flamingos over to the next yard
• You repeat until you’ve reached your fundraising goal (or you run out of houses)

34. Form a Read-a-Thon Fundraiser

Host read-a-thons. Rather than earning pledges for laps or miles walked, like with walk-a-thons, collect pledges for the following:

• Books read
• Pages read
• Minutes spent reading

35. Host a Sports Team Competition

Hold a competition for athletes to compete for the crown. But remember, sometimes, becoming the local champion is enough of a prize—so think about your specific audience. Host tournaments throughout the year and rotate sports like:

• Soccer
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Flag football
• Hockey
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Pickleball

Sports tournaments are great for peer-to-peer fundraising, especially when sports teams can run a joint campaign or ask each teammate to run an independent campaign and compete to see who raises the most. The winner can then be named the team captain.  

36. Build a Mini-Golf Course

Let kids design a backyard mini-golf course. You could use cups as the holes, then get creative with everything else. Use whatever is around the house or in your yard to make a one-of-a-kind game. Then, invite neighbors and kids in the community to come pay to play. Reward children who hit a hole in one with a prize. 

If you want to make this a community event, challenge kids to design the best course and submit photos or videos of their course design to be voted on by the public. Then, recreate the winning course in a local park for everyone to come try. Either charge a small course fee or sell food and merchandise for purchase at the event. 

37. Plan a Pancake Breakfast

Cook and sell pancakes at a before-school event or on the weekend before a long day of sporting events. Pancakes are another cheap item with a high return on investment, so you have the potential to earn quite a few donations with low expenses.

To involve the kids, assign them to the toppings bar. People can come to them for whipped cream, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, or fresh berries. They can either serve the toppings or just be the ones who report when items run low. Either way, getting them involved to some degree is a great way to introduce them to your cause. 

38. Set Up a Battle-of-the-Bands Concert

Empower your kids to compete on the big stage to see who’s the top band. Consider dividing the competition into age groups, like elementary school, middle school, and high school. Ask for donations to enter the family-friendly competition and for entry to the event. Reward the top band with a trophy and prize. 

Do More With Elevated Fundraising Tools on Classy

Bring any of your great fundraising ideas for kids to life with Classy. Classy’s fundraising platform empowers your supporters with leading crowdfunding, peer-to-peer, recurring, and fundraising event features. Kids will have all the tools they need to fundraise on behalf of nonprofits they care about:

• Comprehensive fundraising suite
• Virtual, hybrid, and in-person event management 
• Optimized, direct-giving technology 
• Flexible payment processing
• Best-in-class software integrations
• Personalized donation pages and forms
• Powerful reporting and analytics

Want to see how your nonprofit can optimize its fundraising with Classy? Request a demo to talk with one of our experts.

Imagine sitting at a table of like-minded individuals and engaging in meaningful conversation that leaves you feeling inspired and empowered. It’s an evening of toasting to a fantastic organization, an opportunity to network with peers, a chance to support a great cause, and a forum for building long-lasting relationships.

This type of event is a gala event. It’s a more formal, polished fundraising event nonprofits can use to celebrate successes and raise additional funding.

Below, we’ll explore what a gala is and eight tips to make your next one a success.

What’s a Gala Event?

A gala event is a popular fundraiser idea for nonprofit organizations of all sizes.

Definition of gala: An annual festive occasion that recognizes a nonprofit’s success for that year, building a case for supporters’ continued donations. Attendees donate to the nonprofit by purchasing a ticket to the event and through activities like auctions and appeals made during the event.

Gala events tend to be more upscale and often offer components such as:

• Keynote speakers
• Networking
• Black-tie attire
• Live or silent auctions
• Public entertainment
• Live music or gala performances
• Event-related swag

Because gala fundraisers are an excellent opportunity for nonprofit teams to connect one-on-one with their donors, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about those donors’ commitment to the cause.

Galas are also an opportunity for your attendees to:

• Meet your team and put faces to the cause
• Learn about your programmatic impact and unique approach toward your cause
• Gain an emotional connection to your cause through beneficiary stories
• Donate in new and creative ways

Reasons to consider a hybrid fundraising gala event

A virtual fundraising gala event is everything a traditional gala would be but pivoted to work through an online forum. Nonprofits can use tools like Classy Live to facilitate this.

Virtual fundraising galas became necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic but are now around for the long term.

In fact, Classy’s 2022 Fundraising Event Experience Report found:

• 36% of respondents who attended a fundraising event between January 2020 and February 2022 did so from home through the event’s virtual components
• 20% of respondents participated in an event in person that had a virtual option

Given this shift, nonprofits that offer strictly in-person gala events or go 100% virtual might miss out on realizing the full potential of these fundraisers.

We’ll further cover virtual fundraising galas in the tips below. But before we do, let’s remember the reasons why attendees appreciate virtual fundraising event options:

• More flexibility in how they can attend an event
• Greater comfort being able to attend from home
• Increased ability to attend events they might not have been able to otherwise
• Increased flexibility in the location from which they attend
• More options to gain the same value as an in-person experience

Whether your gala is in person, virtual, or hybrid, consider it a celebratory storytelling event. Paint a picture of your great work and encourage others to join you for the next chapter. After all, each component of your gala is an opportunity to compel attendees to donate to your cause.

8 Tips to Host a Successful Fundraising Gala

Planning a gala event that reaps benefits for your nonprofit organization requires strategic planning. When executed well, it’s a meaningful night for attendees to remember.

Follow these eight tips to fill your seats with high net-worth individuals, breathe new life into your annual charity gala, and expose your organization to potential life-long supporters.

1. Spark Passion for Your Gala Night

When deciding who to invite to your annual gala, you’ll likely look to your established donors for assistance. After all, they have supported your organization through thick and thin and are the most likely to introduce new potential donors to your cause.

So reach out to people with a strong connection with your organization and build a case for why they should champion the event.

To encourage your loyal supporters to attend a formal social event with a higher-than-usual ticket price, deliver on the promise of a great evening. If you serve the same four-course meal or cram your donors into small hotel ballrooms year after year, your annual gala might start to lose steam (and donations).

Instead, incorporate new aspects into your gala festivities each year to grow donations, not lose them. Adding new aspects could be as simple as leveraging new technology for your event. For example, with Classy Live, you might:

• Double down on using social media marketing for events
• Email your donation page to your attendees in advance
• Inform attendees they can access your donation form directly from their phones
• Incorporate a text-to-donate appeal during a meaningful moment at the gala
• Livestream presentations and performances for online guests
• Incorporate an auction with mobile bidding and self-checkout
• Project a fundraising thermometer on the wall during your gala for live updates

2. Try a Two-Pack for Gala Tickets

How much more likely would you be to attend an event if you could bring a friend? Instead of selling individual tickets to your gala, restrict your sales to two packs—your attendees must bring at least one guest. This can be especially beneficial for smaller nonprofit organizations that wish to grow a supporter base and make new connections.

A two-pack is a credible form of exposure to potential donors. Think about it: the current supporter already believes in your cause and likely speaks highly of your nonprofit, and hopefully, after attending your gala, their guest will too.

Have all attendees register for the event so you can follow up with new supporters afterward. Also, make a conscious effort to speak one-on-one with each guest through a personalized email or phone call following the event to hear their thoughts on your organization’s work and which of your programs they might want to support.

After your conversation, personalize your email communications with each donor to encourage future gifts and steward them to become loyal, lifelong supporters.

And remember, when you’re in the initial planning stages of your gala, ask your fundraising event platform if you can customize several ticketing options up front to manage these deals better and make it simple for your attendees to register.

You’ll also want to ensure that the registration process is easy for everyone. Our 2022 Fundraising Event Experience Report found that trouble registering online was the top driver for poor attendee experiences with virtual events.

3. Leverage Your Partnerships

Holding an annual gala party doesn’t have to be a solo effort. So leverage existing corporate partnerships or pitch local businesses to sponsor and help offset some of the costs. Your partners can underwrite an event cost, such as venue rental, centerpieces, or food, or donate cash.

When contacting your partner, practice your nonprofit elevator pitch since proposals aren’t one size fits all. Know your partner’s specific initiatives and focus on those that align with your organization’s work. You can even include statistics about your organization, impact, and donor profiles to help support your pitch.

Additionally, detail the benefits your corporate partner will receive, such as:

• Inclusion in your programs
• Recognition on your website and event page
• Ability to put branded merchandise in attendees’ swag bags
• Opportunities to speak at your event

Don’t have a potential partner to contact? No problem. Just as you cultivate donors, you can also cultivate event sponsors. To enhance your chances of success, you should:

1. Consider your year-round presence on LinkedIn. Use your LinkedIn presence to help cultivate relationships with potential partners and sponsors. When you build up your thought leadership content on LinkedIn proactively, you set the stage for fruitful conversations ahead of your gala planning.
2. Find an organization that shares the same passion for your cause. Look for a potential partner that aligns with your mission. For example, a homeless shelter may look to partner with a local grocery store.
3. Leverage personal relationships. Ask board members and staff for contacts they may have at corporations that would be a good fit for your nonprofit.
4. Showcase your donor base. Provide your potential partner with the demographics of your audience, including:
   • Anticipated number of guests
   • Number of guests in previous years
   • Number of invitees
   • Socioeconomic range
   • Age range
5. Create sponsorship levels. Show the benefits tied to each level of sponsorship. Clearly demonstrate how sponsoring your gala could benefit each partner.
6. Write a solid pitch letter. Keep your letter short, one page at most. In the first paragraph, mention anyone associated with your organization who has a direct relationship. You can also note any distinguished community or industry leaders attending your gala.
7. Follow up with your prospects. Don’t hesitate to contact potential sponsors if they don’t respond to your initial outreach effort. Always follow up with a phone call five to seven days after you send your sponsorship letter or make your initial phone call.

4. Present a Video During Your Gala Party

Hiring an industry expert or a celebrity to speak at your gala can raise your event’s cost exponentially, which may not be the best use of your funds. Additionally, a speaker has risks—some speakers carry on longer than planned or aren’t prepared.

After they’ve concluded their speech comes “the ask” for donations. But this appeal for support is only effective if your speaker has engaged and inspired your guests and spent dedicated time talking about the impact of your cause.

Instead of running the risk and spending more than you should, try presenting a video about your nonprofit that captures your audience’s attention and tells your story compellingly.

A short, professional video for a corporation costs an average of $1,000 to $10,000. However, some video production companies may offer discounts or donate their services to your nonprofit.

Additionally, you may want to see if anyone on your board or staff does videography or if they have personal connections to someone who does.

Or your organization can save time and money by investing in a compelling nonprofit video rather than a speaker. This video can include:

• Testimonies from those your organization has impacted
• Volunteers who have supported your efforts
• Major sponsors who have helped fund your cause

Playing a video instead of having a speaker will also ensure you stick to the schedule and honor your attendees’ attention span and time.

Additionally, suppose you offer a virtual component to your gala party. In that case, you can livestream this video to attendees, in addition to other portions of your event.

Check out this example from Beat the Streets:

5. Engage Younger Demographics Through a Nontraditional Gala

Depending on your organization’s cause, size, and years in operation, your supporter base may include different generations of donors. The more you cater your event to each group, the more likely they’ll engage with your initiatives.

For example, young donors might not be as motivated to come to “old-school” galas as their parents. In fact, younger donors might even express concern over dressing up in their finest garb for a fancy gala dinner when the cause supports starving families.

Millennial donors care less about what you serve at dinner and more about your organization’s impact. Because of this, you may want to opt for a more nontraditional approach to attract the next generation of donors. You might even want to hold a different event entirely.

For example, a donor of a health organization may prefer a site tour with researchers or meeting patients. And a supporter of an environmental organization might want to get out in the field and see your work firsthand.

6. Pivot Your Gala to a Virtual or Hybrid Space

If you can’t host an in-person gala dinner due to public health concerns or budget constraints, you may want to consider hosting a virtual gala fundraiser.

Virtual galas are great for tighter budgets because you don’t have to worry about costs associated with in-person amenities, such as venue, food, and printed materials. This also allows more people to join your gala, as supporters don’t have to be local or travel to get to your event.

A virtual gala may be a great choice if you want to expand your reach and provide your attendees with added flexibility.

Classy Live offers nonprofits an easy-to-use virtual event platform that can drive donations. Nonprofits can use the tool to:

• Livestream content
• Organize a silent auction with mobile bidding
• Manage the ticketing process with ease
• Encourage one-time or recurring gifts

Pro-Choice Washington used the platform for its annual fundraising gala, bringing together 20,000 donors and exceeding its fundraising goal of $100,000.

Our 2022 Fundraising Event Experience Report found that 96% of virtual attendees reported having a good or excellent experience with an event, while 85% of in-person attendees reported the same. Your virtual fundraising gala has the potential to offer an even higher satisfaction rating for your supporters, in addition to its other benefits.

7. Brainstorm Gala Fundraising Ideas

Ticket sales for your gala are one way to fundraise for your nonprofit. However, there are plenty of other gala fundraising ideas to increase donations to your cause during your event.

As your team begins planning for your event, brainstorm a list of ways to incorporate giving opportunities into elements of your gala event.

For example, your list might include:

• A gift shop: You can set up a shop with other items to take home, even if attendees may already get some free swag for joining. These could be nice fleeces or glassware with your logo on it or locally made items contributed by your partners, such as scented candles or framed art.
• Raffle tickets: You can sell raffle tickets at your gala for the chance to win various items donated by your partners, such as gift certificates to local restaurants or a case of wine.
• QR codes: You can incorporate QR codes on event handouts or other decorations that encourage participants to use their mobile devices to donate.

While you’ll want to balance donation-focused activities with those attendees can do just for fun, take some time to consider how you can turn different elements of your gala into chances to surpass your fundraising goals.

8. Get Creative With a Gala Fundraising Theme

Choosing a theme for your gala can increase excitement around your formal event. It allows attendees to get creative and step out of the day-to-day routine.

There are many popular themes you can choose for your gala, such as:

• Masquerade
• Casino night
• Decades (think roaring twenties or flower power sixties)
• Winter Wonderland
• Ugly sweaters
• Black-and-white ball

Think about how a gala theme might connect to your nonprofit’s work. For example, an animal shelter might have a pet-themed gala. And a children’s after-school program might have a “color the walls” art-themed gala.

Create a Customized Gala Fundraiser to Connect With Your Donors

Now that you know what a gala event is, it’s time to start planning one.

Knowing your donors is key to hosting a successful annual gala. So let them guide your decision-making and inspire your agenda. Maybe your gala is a fundraising dinner or involves taking your donors out on a hike to demonstrate the importance of preserving a trail.

Building strong, lasting, and meaningful relationships through strategic donor stewardship starts with shared personal experiences. By listening to your donors, you create opportunities to engage with them. When you do, they’ll engage with you too.

Article Sources

1. “What Is the Cost of Video Production for the Web?” Story, Hinge Marketing, last modified or accessed February 2, 2021, https://hingemarketing.com/blog/story/what-is-the-cost-of-video-production-for-the-web.

We’ve collected a list of 77 fundraising event ideas that are sure to rally supporters around your cause. Explore creative approaches for everything from fundraising efforts for kids to endurance events and fashion shows. Jump right to your favorites or explore each category to potentially spark a new virtual, in-person, or hybrid event idea you haven’t considered yet.

See What’s Working for Other Organizations

Fundraising Ideas for Schools and Colleges

1. Art Show

Tap on students’ creative talents to advance your worthy cause and strengthen your nonprofit’s sense of community. Ask each artist to pay a nominal registration fee to showcase their work, then set a flat ticket price for attendees to browse the collection. Consider asking local artists to get involved as well. Classy’s online ticket sales for nonprofits feature makes it easy to sell tickets to potential supporters.

2. Car Wash

Car washes are often overlooked, but they can be a great way to take a task off someone’s to-do list while simultaneously converting them into a supporter of your cause. Host the event at a location that’s easily visible and accessible from high-traffic areas. You’ll also want to make sure you have plenty of space to wash, dry, and collect money from customers.

Strategize how to promote your upcoming car wash so donors can bake it into their busy schedules. Social media and email are great places to start, but word of mouth can be just as impactful.

3. Spelling Bee

Spelling bees are not only fun to watch but also present a great opportunity for younger supporters to show their skills. Advertise your spelling bee event at local schools, gyms, churches, and restaurants, and take your marketing efforts online with a series of social media posts leading up to the event.

Charge a flat rate for tickets and consider adding a peer-to-peer fundraising element to bring in charitable donations from a wider audience. Participants can easily create a fundraising page and ask for support leading up to the competition to reach their goals. Plus, people can show their support throughout the event by sending individual donations to friends or family members competing in each round.

4. Bake Sale

Get ready for some sweet aromas with this classic fundraising idea. To make this fan-favorite event a little more interesting, invite participants to compete to bake the most delectable treat.

People can donate for the chance to taste test and vote for their favorites, or scrap the competition idea and simply charge a flat rate for each baked good someone purchases. Just be sure to review all food serving laws before setting up your table.

5. Dance Marathon

Challenge participants to join a 24-hour dance marathon to raise money for your mission. Have dancers launch peer-to-peer campaigns with a minimum goal for participation and encourage attendees to create teams to see which group can raise the most.

This fun fundraising activity keeps participants moving and creates ample opportunities for in-person connection. You could also invite supporters to request their favorite songs for $5 to raise additional revenue.

Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM) has raised more than $22 million for over 30 charitable organizations that benefit the Chicago Youth Programs and The Evanston Community Foundation. This proves the potential fundraising power of a dance marathon and reaffirms the impact of peer-to-peer fundraising.

6. Treadmill Relay Race

Partner with a local gym to get this fundraising event idea up and running (pun intended). Ask supporters and community members to sign up for a time slot (minimum of 15 minutes) and collect pledges of specific gift amounts per mile that their team completes.

If you are interested in sourcing fresh virtual fundraising ideas, this event can also be completed virtually for anyone with access to a treadmill at home. Ask fundraisers to rally support from their networks to pledge money for each mile they log or each time-based benchmark they hit (e.g., pledge to donate $50 dollars for every five miles).

7. Dodgeball Tournament

This timeless game is the perfect way to spin up competition at a local school or university. Ask each team to fundraise a certain amount to participate or give donors the option to join for a set registration fee. Whichever they choose, encourage attendees to spread the word and recruit their friends to come watch for some serious laughs.

Fundraising Ideas for Instagram

8. Photo Contest

Run a photo contest to engage attendees, build brand awareness, and connect with donors more organically. Identify a theme or subject for your contest, then invite donors to share their photos on Instagram with the appropriate hashtags and photo tags. Collect all entries, upload them to a central landing page, and ask your community to vote for their favorite by making a small monetary donation.

If you prefer to keep it all on social media, determine the winner by identifying which photo garners the most likes. Offer to share the winner’s photo on your organization’s social media accounts and your website home page. For an added incentive, see if a local gallery would display your winner’s photo for a week.

For additional insights on how to leverage Instagram, check out our blog where you’ll find 24 Instagram Tips For The Modern Nonprofit.

9. Ice Bucket Challenge

Invite donors to recreate the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to raise more money for your mission using social media. If the ice bucket challenge doesn’t align with or reflect your organization’s work, feel free to get creative with another social media challenge.

For example, Movember’s annual campaign challenges supporters to grow their facial hair for the entire month of November to raise awareness for men’s health. When participants share photos of themselves online using the event hashtag or mention Movember in their captions, they’re organically boosting cause awareness and educating others on the importance of Movember’s work.

10. Giveaway

Nothing gets people more excited than free gifts. Share a photo and description of a unique prize on your organization’s Instagram, then give your followers step-by-step instructions on how to enter to win the item or experience.

Something as simple as a custom swag bag would be great or take it a step further by offering a free meal at a local restaurant or paid spa treatment at a luxury salon.

To generate revenue, invite a potential donor to purchase additional entries by donating to your nonprofit. For example, donors who give an additional $10 are granted 10 extra entries into the giveaway.

Virtual Fundraising Ideas

Virtual Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits

11. Recipe Books

As a tribute to the days before cooking apps and Pinterest recipe boards, you can crowdsource recipes from different supporters, volunteers, and employees to compile a charity cookbook.

Ask contributors to submit their recipes online and include a dedication, doodle, or note with each submission so that the book feels unique and personal to your organization.

Pro Tip: Reach out to local graphic designers or students for help designing your cookbook.

12. Cooking Class

Whether gathering in person or online, a cooking class is a great way to interact with your community in a relaxed, creative environment. Ask your employees, volunteers, or donors if anyone would be interested in leading the class, or turn to the experts and hire a chef to take the lead.

Charge a flat registration fee or offer a fundraising minimum for supporters to earn their spot in class. If you choose to host this event virtually, charge admission to attend the livestream.

As part of your livestream fundraising initiative, include an incentive for larger donations by offering time with the chef after class for anyone who reaches the tier two fundraising level.

13. Apple Watch or Strava Challenge

Get donors involved from all over the world with a virtual fitness challenge. Invite people to hit a daily step goal, complete a running challenge, tackle an indoor cycling course, or enjoy an independent hike.

Participants can track their exercise using an Apple Watch or the Strava app, then submit their results to see how they stack up on the leaderboard.

14. Twitch Video Game Fundraiser

If we’ve learned anything from Twitch, it’s that video games can bring people together from all over the world to support a worthy cause.

Invite gamers to create a fundraising page that they can share with viewers during their Twitch event. Provide them with the tools they need to promote their stream and encourage them to recruit friends, family, and fellow gamers to tune in to support their efforts.

Ask each gamer to drop the link to their donation page in the chat box during their event, and encourage them to speak to your mission throughout the livestream. This is a great opportunity to have gamers organically educate viewers on your work’s importance.

Virtual Fundraising Ideas for Schools

15. Virtual Tailgate

Tailgating for a sporting event is one of the best parts of the game. If you can’t tailgate in person, make it a virtual celebration. Have your supporters purchase a tailgate package, which can be picked up before the big game.

The Palmer Home for Children decided to host a virtual tailgate for the Mississippi State football team, sending each supporter home with a cooler of tailgate foods and treats. They also sold sponsorship packages, and anyone who purchased a sponsorship had their organization’s logo and program information included on special marketing materials inside the tailgate cooler.

16. School Concert

For the proud grandparents, aunts, and uncles who can’t travel into town every time your children are participating in a school concert, provide a virtual option to keep them involved and expand the reach of your event.

Either pre-record your concert at an earlier date to avoid any last-minute technology hiccups or livestream your concert using a reliable virtual event platform, such as Classy Live. Sell virtual tickets to your event through a branded campaign page or simply encourage attendees to make donations throughout the evening to support their loved ones.

17. Coffee-Grams

Invite supporters to give the gift of a morning coffee to a student, parent, or teacher in their life who could use the extra boost of caffeine.

Keep it simple by creating a custom campaign page where supporters can place their orders, submit their donations, and even leave a personal message for the recipient of their coffee-gram.

Ask for a flat donation amount from each customer, or invite supporters to upgrade their orders with specialty beverages like hot chocolate or an oat milk latte.

Easy Fundraising Ideas

18. Breakfast in Bed

Ask local businesses to donate breakfast staples like muffins, fruit, bagels, and coffee for this easy fundraising idea. Next, have supporters and their networks place orders. Enlist volunteers to deliver the goods and encourage tips in the form of donations.

Create a menu that demonstrates impact so your supporters know what their donation provides. For example, a $20 donation gets you a fresh bagel, homemade croissant, and hot coffee, but more importantly, it pays for a student’s school lunch for a month.

19. Film Festival

Since everyone has a camera in their pocket and a platform to reach the masses, any moment can be captured on film and shared with the world.

Host an amateur film festival where participants can enter their productions. You can even turn it into a contest where attendees donate $5 to cast votes for their favorite films.

Leading up to the contest, create an email series with tips to show supporters how to create an impactful video.

20. Dinner Party

This fundraising idea makes sense for any occasion. Whether you host a potluck harvest dinner or a cocktail hour, sell tickets and invite guests to a rented venue, a volunteer’s home, or your office for a delicious meal. Prepare your elevator pitch so guests will understand how meaningful this dinner, and their contributions, truly are.

21. Date Night Auction

Strike a deal with a local restaurant, spa, or hotel to offer an exclusive date night prize to the winner of your fundraising auction. Identify potential businesses in your area that donors have shown an interest in and highlight the incredible marketing opportunity those establishments will receive from this event.

You can host your auction online or in person, both presenting their own unique set of benefits. If you plan to host an online charity auction, you can link to the businesses’ websites on your event page to entice donors. In addition, you have the potential to expand your reach and garner more bids as a result.

If you host your event in person, you have additional opportunities to raise money through merchandise, food, or drink sales, educate supporters on your recurring giving program, strengthen donor relationships, and more.

22. Speed Dating

For those looking to meet new, like-minded people with a shared interest in philanthropy, host a speed-dating fundraising event to break the ice between singles in your community and create a welcoming atmosphere for connection.

Charge a registration fee for anyone interested in participating and auction off fun dates throughout the night. Recruit volunteers to play live music or serve drinks to keep the energy alive until the last couple leaves.

23. Eating Contest

Expand your fundraising opportunities with a food-forward event sure to draw in supporters of all ages. Whether you serve pies, doughnuts, or hot dogs, contestants will be excited to compete in a timed eating contest and fund your good work.

Solicit local shops or bakeries to donate the food that will be devoured at your fundraiser. That way, the restaurant or bakery gets its brand in front of more people and your organization can keep overhead costs as low as possible.

24. Art Auction

This fundraising idea isn’t just for professional artists. Encourage donors, supporters, and artists alike to create something they feel proud of and would like to share with your community.

Invite attendees to show their support for each artist while simultaneously advancing your cause by bidding on their favorite items, either in a live or virtual fundraising environment.

25. Exercise Lessons

Whether you focus on yoga, tennis, or self-defense, host an afternoon where participants can donate to receive a lesson from a local expert.

To find a qualified instructor, reach out to local gyms or workout studios to see who might be interested in donating their skills for a good cause. You could also turn to social media to source potential exercise professionals in your area who might be a good fit for your event.

Best Fundraising Ideas

26. Silent Auction

Plan a silent auction as a solo event, or add it to an existing fundraising initiative as a supplementary revenue driver. Reach out to your network to start assembling items and appoint a committee of volunteers who can solicit their contacts for additional gifts.

By shifting this event to virtual, it becomes more accessible to your audience. When it comes down to how to host an online auction that engages your audience, consider promoting any auction items in an email blast and on social media to engage attendees, then take advantage of the opportunity to ask for additional donations throughout the event.

Lakeview Pantry celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020 by offering supporters the chance to bid on several prizes at their online silent auction. All bidding was submitted online prior to the livestream and remained open until one hour after the virtual program ended. This allowed all supporters to participate, even if they couldn’t attend the live virtual event.

27. Gala

Galas are one of the longest-standing fundraising events for a reason. Imagine sitting at a table of like-minded individuals, engaging in meaningful conversation while enjoying a delicious meal.

Invite your supporters to an elegant evening of dinner, drinks, live entertainment, and ample fundraising opportunities to recognize the success of your organization and help attendees better understand your impact.

Sell tickets to your event through a branded campaign page, and consider restricting your sales to two-pack tickets to ensure all attendees bring at least one guest. Leverage partnerships to help offset costs, and be sure to double down on promotion leading up to your event to build a case for why supporters should offer their support.

28. Battle of the Bands

Recruit local bands to put on a concert for your community. Performers can fundraise ahead of the event to earn their spot on stage and attendees can purchase tickets to join in on the fun.

Invite nonprofit influencers or local personalities to judge, and motivate them to help spread the word to get people excited about your show.

Simply ask each group to upload a prerecorded video of their act to your event page to bring the battle online. Participants can still fundraise to earn their registration, and then your supporters can vote on the best performance. Offer a prize for the winning band to incentivize participation, and consider offering a prize to the band that raises the most money.

29. Pancake Breakfast

Heat up the skillets and recruit a team of passionate volunteers to serve up endless stacks of pancakes in support of your nonprofit. Advertise your event weeks in advance to give donors enough time to plan ahead, and be sure to increase your marketing cadence the week leading up to the event to keep it top of mind.

Ask donors to purchase a ticket to your all-you-can-eat breakfast event, or remove the registration cost altogether to increase accessibility and ask supporters to donate in exchange for a hot meal once they arrive. Whichever you choose, just make sure you have plenty of butter and syrup to go around.

30. Casino Night

Bring Vegas to your hometown and host a casino night complete with roulette, blackjack, and poker games. Invite guests to dress up and donate to participate.

You could also invite attendees to donate certain gift amounts in exchange for entries into a grand prize raffle at the end of the evening. Prizes like a gift card to a nice restaurant in your area or free tickets to your next nonprofit organization event are both great options.

31. Vacation Auction

The idea of going on a relaxing weekend getaway is enough to pique most adults’ immediate interest. Do your research and explore your connections to identify potential airlines, hotels, car services, and restaurants that would be willing to support this offering. You could also keep it local for a simple staycation at a nice hotel or resort in your city.

Entice bids by promoting your auction online, and get creative with your marketing materials. Sell the experience with strong photos and videos of the vacation package, plus a comprehensive list of the vacation details and perks the winner will receive.

32. Murder Mystery Party

See who can piece all of the clues together to solve the mystery at this classic fundraising event. Attendees can reserve their spot in the game with a flat registration fee, but be sure to remind them to invite friends and family members to join the fun.

Spice things up by encouraging attendees to dress in costume, or even consider adding a costume contest element to get donors excited.

33. Wine Tasting

Wine and dine your community of supporters with an invitation to a wine night fundraising event. Ask local wineries or restaurants to donate a bottle or two in exchange for free marketing, or host your wine tasting at a local business that would contribute a portion of their proceeds to your organization.

Consider hiring a sommelier to teach attendees how to properly taste each wine and educate the group on the history of each drink being served, or collect a basket of fine wines, cheeses, wine glasses, and bottle openers to auction off at the event for additional donations. You could even throw in a gift card to a local vineyard.

34. Fashion Show

To launch a memorable fashion show, consider partnering with a local venue and encourage attendees to purchase tickets to your exclusive event.

Ask participants to create their own sartorial masterpieces or reach out to local clothing shops and boutiques for donated outfits. You can also ask makeup artists to donate their services and recruit community members to assist the day of to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Fundraising Ideas for Kids

35. Game Night

Step away from the screens and kick it old school to raise money for your cause. Put together a game night fundraising event that’s friendly for all ages, complete with various options from Monopoly to charades.

Charge for entry and host mini-tournaments among different sets of players. Advertise prizes for the winners to motivate participation, and be sure to remind attendees of those prizes throughout the evening to encourage some healthy competition.

36. Movie Night

Host a film screening or a movie marathon at a local park or auditorium. Sell tickets and snacks for suggested donations, and invite attendees to help determine which movie you’ll stream by donating a few dollars toward their favorite film on the list.

Another twist to this familiar fundraising event is asking friends and family to host their own mini-film screenings on behalf of your cause. Ask them to invite their networks to donate a small fee to “reserve their seat” at the event, and provide each host with a toolkit of promotional materials to speak about your mission afterward.

37. Tie-Dye Party

Swag that promotes your cause is a classic fundraising incentive, but you can take this nonprofit fundraising idea a step further by hosting a “create your own T-shirt” get-together.

Charge an entrance fee and invite attendees to create their own masterpieces. You could also enlist local artists to create custom pieces to sell.

Since making T-shirts isn’t an extremely time-consuming activity, prepare some other family-friendly games, crafts, or challenges for the event to ensure attendees stick around.

38. Rollerblade or Rollerskate Race

How about switching up the usual 5K run/walk with a roller-skating race? In addition to fundraising for entry, invite participants to dress up and participate in a costume contest.

Cheap Fundraising Ideas

39. Scavenger Hunt

Send participants running all around town with an organized scavenger hunt. Stick to a classic scavenger hunt where people have to find and collect designated items, or go digital and have individuals or teams simply take a picture of the items or locations on the list and submit them for approval.

Charge a registration fee in advance. Offer a head start or hints in exchange for donations on the day of the hunt, and give bonus points to the individual or team who collects the most trash as they explore and tidy up your city.

40. Karaoke Night

Invite donors to let their hair down and have some old-fashioned fun with a night of karaoke. Charge for entry, then encourage spectators to vote for their favorite performers through small monetary donations. The performer with the most donations at the end of the evening will be crowned the winner.

Encourage supporters of all ages to participate in a battle of the generations. Categorize all performers into individual age brackets, then leave it up to the audience to determine which group deserves the karaoke crown. Offer incentives to the winners to motivate participation or simply remind them of the bragging rights they’ll earn.

41. Donate a Drink for a Cause

To demonstrate how even small donations can make all the difference, ask fundraisers to give up a daily beverage and donate the money they would have spent to your cause instead.

Provide supporters with data showcasing the impact of $5, $10, and $20 donations. Encourage them to share their activity on social media and ask their networks to take action too.

Intensify the appeal by asking supporters to participate for a certain number of days or encourage them to meet a personal fundraising goal.

42. Afternoon Tea Time

Invite your community to relax, sip their favorite tea, and support your nonprofit’s mission. Attendees can secure their entry with a standard registration fee, then dress up for your classy high-tea fundraiser to make the most of the event.

Prepare elegant cutlery, fine china, and classic tea party snacks. Consider partnering with a local tea or coffee shop for tea leaves and pastries.

43. Comedy Night

Laughter is one of the most powerful sources of connection. Recruit community members, local performers, and up-and-coming comics to show off their talents at your comedy night event.

Sell entry tickets, then encourage donors to show additional support through the form of food and beverage purchases for suggested donation amounts.

See if a local comedy club would offer their space for your nonprofit to use, or host your event at a bar or restaurant that would contribute a portion of their proceeds back to your cause.

44. Head-Shaving Fundraiser

If you can find brave supporters to go the extra mile for your nonprofit, a head-shaving fundraiser is a great way to bring attention to your cause and attract new audiences.

Participants pledge to shave their heads (or beards) to raise money. In return, your nonprofit can offer an exclusive perk, prize, or public recognition on your website or social media platforms.

45. Trivia Night

Trivia nights are a weekly occurrence at bars for a few simple reasons—they’re easy to organize, affordable to host, and can be customized to appeal to any audience.

Ask a local restaurant or bar to host your fundraising event and encourage participants to form teams in advance.

To earn their spot in the competition, set a minimum fundraising amount that each participant must meet to play. If registrants don’t meet the minimum, they can donate the remaining amount.

Charge an entrance fee for anyone not participating in the competition but still wants to support your cause and be part of the action. You can also host a virtual trivia night to reduce overhead costs. Simply create a list of questions, secure an engaging virtual host, and encourage attendees to tune in for the live event to earn designated prizes.

If you decide to go with an in-person gathering, consider asking if the venue would share a portion of their food and drink proceeds with your nonprofit. Nothing encourages business like being a socially responsible company.

46. Yard Sale

Collect gently worn clothes and home goods for a yard sale your community won’t want to miss. If you have valuable items, like first-edition books or signed collectibles, you can hold an exclusive auction for these top-tier pieces at the end of the day. In addition to opening up donations to your staff, supporters, and collective networks, reach out to local celebrities or philanthropists for those high-ticket items.

Take pictures of the items and post them on social media to generate buzz around the event. You might just find your next corporate sponsorship while drumming up excitement online.

47. Community Potluck

Invite supporters to dig out their family recipe books for a community potluck. This cheap fundraising idea is accessible to donors who might not be able to afford a ticket to your annual gala or other large fundraisers but still want to get involved with your cause.

Encourage donors to buy a ticket through your event page, then simply show up with an appetite and their favorite meal, dessert, or drink in hand.

To leave attendees with something special to remember the evening, ask registrants to submit their recipes to your team ahead of the potluck and create a cookbook of everyone’s unique contributions. Either send the book home for free as a gift for attending or sell them for a low price at the event for additional donations.

48. Photo Contest

Today, everyone has a professional-grade camera in the palm of their hand. Kick off an amateur photo contest to find out which supporters can snap the best photo from their iPhone, camera, or mobile device.

Either set a theme for the contest, like sunsets or photos of nature, or keep it broad enough for participants to get creative. Ask each person to submit their photos to your team directly, then publish them to your event landing page where people can vote for their favorite through small donations.

Take it to social media to garner additional votes, and be sure to send an email blast asking community members to help determine the winner.

Participants can either pay an entry fee or earn their spot in the competition through peer-to-peer fundraising. Whichever you decide, offer the opportunity to showcase the winning photo at your next event or share it on social media for everyone to see.

49. Restaurant Partnership

A restaurant fundraiser allows supporters to eat at a local restaurant or bakery on a particular day, and the restaurant donates a percentage of its sales back to your cause.

Set up a committee to identify potential partners, then arrange a meeting with those restaurant managers to explore your options. Determine how the proceeds will be split, and discuss if there will be an option for supporters to make a reservation ahead of the event to confirm their table.

50. Talent Show

Secure a venue, recruit your talent for the evening, and prepare attendees for a fundraising event to remember. Research some free community spaces to rent, or consider striking a deal with a local business to host your event for a portion of the proceeds.

Encourage supporters of all ages to take the stage to pursue the grand prize, whether that’s a coveted trophy or a custom T-shirt. Just be sure to preview the acts beforehand to ensure they’re appropriate for all eyes.

51. 50/50 Raffle

If your organization is looking for a cheap way to bolster donations, try a 50/50 raffle. Sell tickets for entry into the raffle, typically for a fee of $1 per ticket. Add up all of your ticket sales, then divide them in half. One half goes to your organization and the other goes to a lucky winner.

You can host the raffle at an in-person event or take it virtual by selling the raffle tickets online. Whichever you choose, keep supporters updated as you sell tickets to show just how large the prize fund is getting.

52. Dog Walking

It’s not always easy for people to make time for an afternoon stroll with their pets, but you can help make their days easier by walking their dog in exchange for a donation.

Launch an online sign-up sheet where donors can reserve a date and time, submit their donation, and insert all relevant contact information. Charge a flat rate for a 30-minute walk, or offer longer walks in exchange for larger donations. You could also offer additional services, like bathing their dog, for an additional fee.

53. Pet Sitting

When people travel for the weekend or just go away for the day on business, it can be challenging to find someone they trust to take care of their pets. Help relieve some of their stress with pet-sitting services.

Create an event landing page with the details of your offering to ensure donors know exactly what they’re signing up for, then follow up with each participant to confirm the date, time, and location. Set a flat hourly rate, or offer an exclusive weekend package for those who need a little more help.

54. Polar Plunge

There’s nothing like jumping into an ice-cold ocean to re-energize your nonprofit community. A polar plunge is a perfect opportunity for peer-to-peer fundraising where supporters can tap into their networks to raise money on behalf of your organization.

Similarly to those participating in nonprofit endurance events, polar plunge participants can ask their friends, family, and loved ones to support their ambitious goals. Whether you host your plunge at the beach, lake, or even in a local pool, it will grab supporters’ attention.

55. Meditation Night

Allow donors to unwind and destress at a community meditation night. Find a quiet, comfortable space to convert into your meditation studio, then recruit a local yoga teacher, volunteer, or qualified passionate supporter to lead your class.

Charge a registration fee to attend, then bolster your opportunities for donation by auctioning off a series of guided meditation sessions or a free one-year membership to popular meditation apps like Calm or Headspace.

Winter Fundraising Ideas

56. Holiday Cooking Competition

Round up supporters and foodies around a friendly culinary competition. Contestants create their best holiday dishes with a specific ingredient or other criteria, and people pay to taste each dish and cast their votes.

By giving your supporters the option to sign up as a chef or judge, you’re appealing to a large audience and providing a fun and unique experience that will help donors associate your organization with a good time.

57. Winter Clothing Drive

Host a clothing drive ahead of the onset of freezing winter temperatures to support and protect community members in need. Collect these in-kind resources early in the winter season to ensure adequate resources for your beneficiaries when the coldest temperatures hit in December and January.

In addition to giving jackets, hats, and gloves, encourage donors to contribute a one-time donation on top of their in-kind contribution to help your organization sustain its critical work. Clarify how each dollar will directly benefit a community member and remind donors how much just $5 can do for someone in need.

58. Indoor Cycling

Invite donors to warm up in the winter months by sweating for a cause. Partner with a local gym or spin studio and ask your community to participate in exchange for a suggested donation amount.

Recruit a local instructor to donate their time and lead the class through an energetic and fulfilling workout. To jazz it up, throw in mood lighting, a killer playlist, and after-spin refreshments.

59. Community Bonfire

Get donors together for a night of smores, hot chocolate, and campfire songs. Sell tickets to your event through a branded campaign page, and also consider setting up a booth on the weekends leading up to your event to sell fundraiser tickets in person.

Recruit donors, beneficiaries, or partners to speak at your bonfire to help clarify the impact of your mission. Put together a slideshow to display at your bonfire to highlight the other events your community has enjoyed together, and consider adding a few other small games or activities for attendees to do throughout the evening. Something as simple as a bag toss, a cookie decorating station, or a holiday movie screening would work well.

Spring Fundraising Ideas

60. 5K Run or Bike Race

A 5K race is a year-round favorite that can raise big bucks for your cause. Rather than rely solely on entry fees, learn how to launch a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign so participants can start raising money upon registration.

Throw out a suggested fundraising goal, prepare incentives, and send participants tips on how to reach out to their networks to solicit additional donations.

For organizations looking to do this virtually, charge registration in the form of a donation and then encourage the athlete to complete the distance on their own.

Hope for Haiti hosted their third annual virtual Hike for Haiti Challenge in 2021, which challenged students and families to climb 200 flights of stairs. This distance represents the journey taken by students and families in Marre à Coiffe to access clean water and other vital resources.

Supporters worldwide posted photos and videos of themselves on social media climbing stairs at the gym, at a local stadium, and even in their apartment complexes, raising over $344,000 in the process.

61. Color Run

Put a creative spin on the traditional 5K by hosting a community-wide color run. As participants make their way through the course, they’ll be covered with water and color powder to help create memories that will last a lifetime.

You can host your color run at a local school to target a younger audience, or open the event to your larger community to boost exposure and increase attendance. Ask registrants to cover a flat registration fee that will offset the cost of materials, and encourage them to tap into their extensive network to raise more through peer-to-peer fundraising.

Post-race swag, medals, or even branded water bottles are great incentives for each runner. If that’s not within your budget, offer the winner a set of free tickets to your next fundraising event.

62. Walk-a-Thon

Encourage supporters to fundraise on behalf of your cause through a walk-a-thon peer-to-peer fundraising event. Provide attendees with all necessary fundraising and marketing materials they might need to solicit donations, like a fundraisers toolkit, and incentivize their participation with exclusive perks or prizes.

Although most commonly held at a track, you can take this event to a local park or even online to host a virtual walk-a-thon. Consider tapping on event sponsors to support your event, or think about creative ways to collect in-kind donations from your community to keep walkers fueled throughout the day, like drinks, snacks, and sunscreen.

63. Pub Crawl

Don’t discount the potential of a fundraising event that’s centered around bar hopping. In fact, this is the fundraising idea that inspired the start of Classy. A pub (or restaurant) crawl can be a great way to put a philanthropic twist on a fun Saturday night.

Plan your route with local breweries who may offer potential discounts, or ask participating bars and eateries to donate a portion of their profits to your cause. Charge for entry and invite registrants to secure donations for each stop they make.

You can also charge a fee for people to participate in the crawl. To take it one step further, ask people to dress in theme or have participants earn branded swag for each stop they make on the crawl.

64. Tree Planting

Do a good deed for the environment while simultaneously driving your mission forward. Sell or auction trees in partnership with your local native plant nursery, or promote donations for memorial trees that your organization will plant to remember loved ones.

The holiday season presents another lucrative fundraising opportunity for your nonprofit. Offer a Christmas tree collection and recycling service for a suggested donation, or help supporters get their trees to the curb on trash day. Gather a team of volunteers to do the heavy lifting, and be sure to reward their hard work with a special gift.

65. Marathon Sponsorships

Reward top peer-to-peer fundraisers in your community with entry to exclusive marathons or running events, like the Boston Marathon.

Become an official charity partner of the race of your choice, then determine how many athlete spots you’ll be given. Reserve those coveted spots for supporters who bring in the most money for your cause in the months leading up to race day, saving them the costly race registration fee they would have to pay otherwise.

StacheStrong was accepted as an official community charity partner for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon, encouraging supporters to fundraise on their behalf to earn their spot at the start line. They successfully sent three ambitious athletes to New York to make the 26.2-mile trek as a well-earned reward for their fundraising success.

66. Basketball Tournament

Put a spin on the standard basketball tournament with other fun games like dunk contests, free-throw contests, or dribble challenges. Keep it simple with a flat registration fee, or tap into the potential of your supporters’ networks through peer-to-peer fundraising.

67. Relay Race

Put a fresh spin on the traditional 5K or 10K by turning it into a team relay race. Runners can solicit their networks for donations or ask their friends and family to purchase event tickets to come to watch. Perhaps each leg of the race demands a particular costume theme or a humorous obstacle like carrying an egg on a spoon or a three-legged race.

Summer Fundraising Ideas

68. Craft Fair

If Pinterest has taught us anything, it’s that the do-it-yourself aesthetic isn’t going anywhere. Gather talented friends and family members to help create and sell custom crafts, like bracelets, paintings, keychains, or hand-stitched blankets.

69. Ice Cream Social

This fundraising event idea is perfect for families and children. Ask your community and local businesses to donate supplies and help you get the word out. Charge per scoop or set a flat ticket fee for an all-you-can-eat option.

Consider adding an ice cream eating contest to shake things up, or host a competition to see who can create the most beautiful sundae with the ingredients they’ve been given.

This can easily become a virtual event as well by sending a gift card to each donor who reaches the designated fundraising level. Encourage them to purchase their own treat and attend a livestream ice cream social to connect with fellow supporters.

70. Dunk Tank

While getting an adult to sit in the tank might take a little convincing, this fundraising idea is an engaging weekend activity sure to leave everyone laughing.

Identify volunteers, donors, partners, or board members willing to take a shift in the dunk tank and sell tickets to those interested in sending them for a swim.

You can sell different tiers of tickets, rewarding those who donate larger amounts with additional attempts to dunk the person inside. Another creative twist is kicking off a peer-to-peer competition leading up to the event, and the person who raises the least has to take the first shift in the tank.

71. Local Concert

This idea is for all the live music junkies out there. Partner with a local venue and recruit artists to participate in your show. Performers can create fundraising pages leading up to the event so that fans, friends, and family can donate, even if they cannot attend.

You can also make this an online fundraising event by asking bands to perform for your virtual audience in a closed venue. Sell tickets for the event, collect donations throughout the evening, and livestream the performances for all donors to enjoy.

72. Surf Tournament

If you’re near the ocean, a surf competition can be the perfect fundraising idea to draw beach-loving crowds and get people outside.

Ask participants to create peer-to-peer campaigns with a fundraising minimum. Be sure to leverage impact blocks on your campaign page to help tie your fundraising goal to a tangible solution. For example, participants that raise $1,500 will cover the cost of sending one cancer survivor to camp.

Not near the coast? Lakes are perfect for athletic events too. Plan a kayak race or a swim relay to take advantage of the great outdoors.

73. Local Olympics

Put together an Olympics-style sporting event for locals and ask each participant to fundraise a minimum amount to help you reach a collective goal.

Either stick with the classic Olympic events, like basketball and track and field, or get creative with more unique games, like bag toss or bocce ball.

74. BBQ Cook-Off

Invite local chefs to cook up their best barbecue plate and ask guests to donate, taste, and cast their votes for their top choice. Segment the competition even further to crown the winner of the best barbecue sauce, rolls, or side dishes. No matter what, be sure to keep a lot of napkins on hand.

Fall Fundraising Ideas

75. Costume Race

Host a race where people dress up in theme to add some extra flair to the classic endurance event. Whether it’s zombies, Star Wars, Harry Potter, or another theme, a costumed race allows donors to dig out their Halloween boxes and have some fun. With all the different options to choose from, this funny fundraising twist on the classic 5K never gets old.

76. Flag Football Tournament

Tap into a global interest and host your own charitable flag football tournament. Charge an entry fee per team, or ask participants to fundraise for entry.

Consider how you could raise additional funds the day-of, whether that’s an on-site concession stand or branded merchandise. Either seek out volunteer referees or ask your staff to step in, and remember to highlight the prizes that are up for grabs for the winning team.

77. Bowling Tournament

Like all other tournaments, ask each team to fundraise a minimum amount for entry. You could also recruit partners to sponsor lanes or uniforms where they can feature their logos.

Upgrade Your Next Fundraising Event With the Latest Data

Upgrade your next fundraising event with exclusive donor data from our Event Attendee Insights Report. Discover how to deliver an event that offers meaningful value, strengthens donor relationships, and keeps your community engaged long after the closing ceremony.

Like many others, Classy customer the HEADstrong Foundation had to quickly shift from an in-person fundraising event to a virtual one in response to the pandemic. The result: their livestreamed event raised $350,000, the same amount as the previous year but with 60% less overhead.

We chatted with the HEADstrong Foundation team to find out how they were able to successfully transition their in-person event to a virtual celebration without sacrificing donor engagement in the process. 

Below are four steps to take when preparing to go live for your next virtual event, with a few specific examples of how the HEADstrong Foundation team hosted such an impactful evening at their virtual gala.

1. Leverage Prerecorded Videos

Finding a steady flow during a real-time event can be challenging when you’re at the mercy of your internet connection. When they had to go virtual, the team at the HEADstrong Foundation wanted to avoid any last-minute video streaming hiccups and make it as convenient as possible for all event performers participating.

Since the date changed from the originally scheduled gala, the team decided to accommodate the schedules of their performers by requesting prerecorded video content of their speeches or live music, with a brief introduction explaining their connection to the HEADstrong Foundation. 

The team then pieced the content together to create a polished two-hour set of streamed performances with speakers and awards incorporated throughout the event.

Takeaway

Use prerecorded videos to eliminate the stress of any unforeseen technical issues with your wifi or livestreaming service and ensure a smooth experience. This strategy also gives the host, speakers, and performing artists more flexibility and time to record themselves and send their videos, instead of blocking out the designated time of the event.

2. Deliver a Consistent Experience in Quality

Chances are your supporters have purchased tickets or fundraised on behalf of your previous in-person events because of a deep connection to your nonprofit and excitement for the different event activities and perks.

To keep your audience engaged with your next virtual event, reemphasize your commitment to uphold that brand standard of a quality event experience in a virtual landscape. Extend the invitation to all supporters to participate in another exciting, meaningful event from the comfort of their homes.

The HEADstrong Foundation wanted to incorporate a shared experience at its livestream gala to replicate the communal atmosphere of its traditional in-person event.

Their team sent a Grubhub gift card to each ticket holder prior to the event to purchase a dinner of their choice and eat with their fellow supporters while watching the show. 

Takeaway

Consider incorporating a similar element into your livestream event or replace the gift card with something more tailored to your fundraising campaign that guests can enjoy together at a designated time.

When strategizing your messaging, focus on community-centric language that strikes a chord with your supporters. Consider highlighting the ways your organization continues to foster a sense of community despite the shift to Zoom, Twitch, or an alternative livestreaming platform. 

Then, encourage your attendees to get dressed up for the event—whether in formal attire or casual garb—and share photos on their favorite social media platforms during the event to strengthen that feeling of connection.

Above all else, emphasize the benefits of bringing your supporters together in innovative ways and how these events can help fuel your mission. 

3. Share Across Channels

Stream your event on multiple channels to maximize your visibility. Rather than just streaming it through Facebook Live, start streaming it through YouTube Live too. Consider leveraging Instagram Live as well to cater to younger audiences. 

The HEADstrong Foundation even extended its efforts one step further by offering a live after-party with a 30-minute DJ set on Instagram TV following the gala.

Takeaway

Drive supporters to your page in multiple ways to raise more donations and boost attendance. Leverage multiple platforms to get the word out and ensure an optimized donation process for conversion on desktop and mobile devices. 

The team at HEADstrong Foundation leveraged a Classy donation form for their virtual gala, which included preferred payment methods like Venmo. Their team raised $349,875 in total revenue as a result.

Another tip for appealing to larger audiences is a silent auction component in your event to encourage participation among all community members. This grants every donor the opportunity to participate and show support, especially if purchasing a ticket to your event was a large financial lift.

4. Invest in Quality Production

Dedicate the time and resources to ensure your organization has quality audio and video for your livestream event. Although seemingly small, these production details can make the difference between missing your fundraising goal and hitting it out of the park.

This is part of maintaining and delivering your brand standards, especially when shifting to a virtual landscape. Your supporters know what you’re capable of and expect that same experience whether sitting in the crowd at an event venue or tuning in through streaming software in their living room.

Takeaway

Seek an external production team if your budget allows, or simply consider upscaling your audio and video quality in these simple ways:

• Upgrade to a professional microphone
• Invest in a high-quality webcam
• Enhance your lighting

Check out our blog post on video conferencing tips for more ideas on how you can upgrade your setup.

Raise More to Do More With Today’s Streaming Solutions

Livestreaming is here to stay. As organizations strategize how to uplevel virtual and hybrid events to engage larger audiences, it’s crucial to consider how live video can play a role in your event strategy. 

Nonprofits host walk-a-thons all the time. With the help of enhanced technology and insights about how today’s donors prefer to engage, your community event will become a can’t-miss.

What Is a Walk-a-Thon?

A walk-a-thon is a fundraising event idea that gets people actively involved. Also known as a walking marathon, these gatherings typically involve event participants completing a designated walking course while supporting a charitable cause. Many nonprofits use walk-a-thons to kick off spring fundraising events and spread awareness.

Online donations are an incredible way for passionate individuals to showcase charitable behavior. However, there’s something undeniable about interacting with an organization on an intimate level at an in-person event.

What is the purpose of a walk-a-thon?

A walk-a-thon presents plenty of opportunities to create a lasting impact. When executed strategically, in-person fundraising events can leave a lasting impression on donors that inspires them to become more deeply involved in your community.

Walk-a-thons are also simple and inexpensive and leave endless room for creativity. For example, mental health organizations might create a positive intention for each mile along the course. Environmental organizations could incorporate sustainability ideas on T-shirts that participants wear along the track.

Simply put, there’s a lot you can do with your walk-a-thon to make it a unique experience for event participants. It’s a time to collect donations and share stories reinforcing why those contributions matter and the good that’s possible with them.

How long are walk-a-thons?

Standard walk-a-thon events are 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.2 miles), depending on your location and the walking areas you can access safely.

If participants receive pledges that link donations to miles walked, you might consider a longer distance. You can also choose a shorter length if it helps attract a larger crowd.

How does a walk-a-thon event make money?

Participants register for a fixed fee and may also want to raise funds through a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign. This allows you to capture the support of those walking, as well as the friends and family of those individuals who want to donate to their page.

Donors can also pledge a certain amount of money per distance increment to a participant they’re supporting. It’s a fun way to motivate people while simultaneously getting you closer to your fundraising goal.

Either way, people enjoy giving to their peers, as 64% of U.S. donors have been donating to individuals raising money on behalf of a nonprofit for over three years, according to Classy’s Why America Gives Report. Adding a peer-to-peer element to your walk-a-thon can help expand your reach and build a steady stream of donations.

How Do You Plan a Walk-a-Thon?

Typical steps to plan a walk-a-thon include:

1. Defining your fundraising goals and budget
2. Determining how many participants you need to reach those goals
3. Choosing a date, time, and location
4. Picking a walk-a-thon theme (if applicable), like a turkey trot, color run, or Halloween costume-themed event
5. Recruiting volunteers for the day of the event (e.g., tending water stations, distributing medals, collecting day-of donations, etc.)
6. Designing a course and finish line with necessary approvals from your local city, parks, or other locations, like elementary schools
7. Distributing safety waivers for all attendees to complete before the event
8. Equipping your team with fundraising event software and a peer-to-peer fundraising platform
9. Setting up an event landing page and donation page template for all individual fundraising pages to use as a foundation
10. Launching your social media event marketing strategy across multiple platforms

What are the most important elements of walk-a-thons?

To stand above the rest, your walk-a-thon needs to go beyond the basics. Here’s a list of considerations to help you offer the best experience.

Choose an optimal format: Create a walk-a-thon that’s completely virtual, in-person, or a hybrid mix of both. Think about who you want to reach and how to make your event widely accessible.

Motivate participants to fundraise: Allow participants to set their own personal fundraising goal at or above the minimum amount required by your organization. If they want to participate but can’t afford the event registration fee, it’s great to offer the option for participants to fundraise to cover that amount. This removes pricing as a deterrent to their participation. It also opens your community event to those who can’t actively participate but want to support someone close to them who can.

Consider a livestream: Think about which elements of your walk-a-thon might be engaging for an online audience. Bringing your event to those who can’t attend in person presents an entirely new way to garner online donations through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You might capture footage of each participant crossing the finish line or share video of any performances or special guests you have at the event. That video content is also gold when you’re planning future promotions.

Think about corporate sponsorship opportunities: Deploy corporate sponsorships as one way to bring your event to new heights. Maybe it’s through in-kind donations that offer participants swag as they walk or through a monetary gift that takes your fundraising effort to a level you wouldn’t be able to achieve alone. Entice local businesses or your biggest partners with exposure to their brand and a feature on your event page and promotions.

How do you promote a walk-a-thon?

Your walk-a-thon promotions should align with your larger nonprofit marketing strategy, but it’s best to include a few personalized elements to build excitement.

Tap into social networks: Social media is a perfect place to announce your walk-a-thon and provide regular updates. Consider what might pull in your Gen Z and Millennial participants, who are 2.7x as likely to host an individual fundraising page on behalf of an organization than other generations.

Post flyers in local businesses: You might find eager walk-a-thon participants in places like gyms, spas, parks, or other places that promote an active lifestyle. Advertising your event in these spots can help draw in new donors who would love to get moving for a good cause.

Get your participants to spread the word: People love to support others, and 71% of donors say the top way they learn about a new cause is through friends and family members. Lean into that by giving registrants a promotion kit to share your walk-a-thon with their community. This kit might include:

• Premade social media graphics
• Value points and incentives to share
• A list of easy ways to optimize your individual fundraising page

How Can Nonprofits Incentivize Donors at Walk-a-Thon Events?

Once you’ve motivated people to participate in your fun event, it’s time to engage them from start to finish of your walk-a-thon.

Implement a fundraising thermometer: Have a live display of fundraising progress throughout the day, with everyone’s contributions playing a role. You can also create a plan to celebrate key milestones, like achieving 50% of your goal.

Make it easy to donate from any device:  Make it easy for donors to complete a donation form or sign up for a recurring donation on any device with any payment method they prefer. You can offer the link to your donation site through a creative QR code on the course signage and your event website. After all, 68% of donors who support an individual participating in a fundraising event, such as a walk-a-thon, will follow up with repeat donations to that individual.

Include prizes and physical swag: Give participants a fun takeaway to help keep your organization top of mind even after the event. You can offer incentives for people to walk a certain distance or raise more among their communities with prizes that feature your branding, like hats, shirts, trophies, water bottles, and more.

Offer fundraising match programs: Involve a company-matching gift incentive for employees participating in your walk-a-thon or other endurance events. This strategy offers an easy way for supporters to double the amount they raise for your cause. You’ll get to see how much an employee raises and the amount their company will match to increase the total.

Here are two examples of how fundraising match programs can work:

• Penguin Random House matches up to $1,500 per employee, per calendar year, for money raised by employees for qualifying fundraising events, including walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, and 5K events.
• McAfee Corp. offers individual employee matches at a 1:1 ratio and fundraising matches at the same ratio, with a combined $1,000 company matching limit per employee participating in a nonprofit’s events or making another type of donation throughout the year.

Unite Your Community Around a Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser

If you’re ready to kick off your successful walk-a-thon, we can’t wait to support you with the software you need. Simplify the administrative tasks of planning a great fundraiser and focus on the creative ideas that make your event stand tall with Classy Live.

Classy Live offers event fundraising software that seamlessly integrates the peer-to-peer element and enhances user experiences that make a walk-a-thon memorable.

Get ready to learn more about nonprofit event production, project management, and planning best practices from an organization still experiencing the positive impact of its virtual event success.

Learning From Years of Virtual Event Planning

From the initial growing pains of pivoting to virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic to the way organizations now flawlessly integrate virtual elements into nearly all event experiences, it’s clear that the sector sees value in an online format.

We saw over 92% of virtual fundraising event attendees say they’re likely to donate in addition to any registration or participation costs. With that in mind, virtual events are a great way to host impactful sessions and experiences with supporters, like networking events or a virtual conference, while increasing donors’ likelihood of returning to give again.

Break out of on-site limitations, introduce gamification, play around with live streaming, and bring various types of events to life in a re-imagined format.

How will your organization go beyond a Zoom event to create a memorable virtual experience? We turned to the team at the HEADstrong Foundation for insider lessons to share today.

How a Virtual Format Raised Over $120,000

We reached out to Jeff Baxter, Director of Community Engagement at the HEADstrong Foundation, to find out how his team of event planners pivoted to an entirely virtual 5K, “The Last Shift,” and raised over $120,000 to benefit lives affected by cancer.

Below, we’ll walk you through how the team came up with the idea and activated a massive audience. Plus, get a sneak peek at the internal operations and the online event logistics.

Lesson 1: Know Your Audience, Intimately

When the HEADstrong Foundation team decided to mobilize its community by hosting a fully virtual 5K, they chose an event strategy based on the preferences of their unique audience: athletes and sports enthusiasts. They chose April 6, which also happened to be National Student-Athlete Day.

This underscores the importance of knowing your audience and personalizing your offerings. Whether running a 5K, hosting a gala, or orchestrating another event, you have to play to their preferences, lifestyles, and unique perspective.

Lesson 2: Fully Activate Your Audience

Knowing your audience is one thing, but getting them to participate in your event is another. For the HEADstrong Foundation, the secret to successful activation was targeting a hyper-defined audience segment with thoughtful event promotions.

The founder of the HEADstrong Foundation was a college lacrosse player, so the team decided to reach out to college lacrosse players before promoting the event to anyone else. They also agreed to use influencer marketing, targeting the nation’s top-three senior college lacrosse players (pictured above).

Leaning on Instagram to Reach a Target Audience

As part of the event marketing strategy, each player received a direct message from the HEADstrong Foundation Instagram account asking if they wanted to run in the virtual 5K and help spread the message to other athletes. From there, event organizers began targeting other lacrosse players across the country to take part in the team-building event experience.

Start small before branching out to larger segments of your audience, much like you would with a soft launch for a fundraising campaign. Within that segment, you may even consider reaching out to specific influencers who can act as spokespeople for your event.

Additionally, your nonprofit will want to identify which platforms your target segments will most likely see your message and craft your outreach accordingly.

Make It Easy to Register

Another pre-event tactic that helped the HEADstrong Foundation was simplifying the registration process for influencers. The team made it a flat $20 to register and only asked for influencers’ names, emails, and Instagram handles.

As a result of their influencer outreach, teams began signing up left and right. Ultimately, 2,000 people registered for “The Last Shift.”

At Classy, we designed our virtual event platform for nonprofits to make registration as simple as possible. That’s true whether an event is entirely online or a hybrid event with a virtual component.

Lesson 3: Maintain Clear and Consistent Communication

As they moved through the event planning process, the HEADstrong Foundation team used various tools to stay aligned and ensure nothing slipped through the cracks. Every week, they held a virtual meeting over Google Hangouts to review updates and assignments from the previous week before tasking out new roles. Having a simple and quick way to organize conferencing with your event coordinators is key as you get closer to launch.

At the same time, they tracked all progress and responsibilities in a spreadsheet. This was helpful for items like the email marketing calendar and nailing down deliverables for each send. In one email, they included a pre-recorded video message from the president of the HEADstrong Foundation:

Then, another email that went out one week before the event featured a set of training tips, fundraising challenges, and ways for virtual participants to get others involved:

Finally, an email went out the day before “The Last Shift” kicked off, detailing what to do during the run and what to do once the run finished:

Learn how to craft expert virtual event emails with these helpful fundraising email templates.

Adding a Personal Touch to Your Virtual Event

When planning your virtual event, messaging is critical. People must understand all the details about how they can participate. They also need to feel like the message is personalized and comes from a human.

Send a few well-crafted emails to your registrants with any crucial information or asks. Nonprofit videos are also a great tool to humanize your organization and pump everyone up for the event.

Lesson 4: Get Crafty and Creative

This was a mantra that Jeff and the rest of the team lived by during “The Last Shift.” Every idea received consideration simply because it was new, which gave rise to some powerhouse results.

Bringing Modern Donation Methods Into the Mix

First, the team encouraged all runners to invite their friends to donate to their personal fundraising page or through a “virtual high five.” With this virtual high five, people would use Venmo to send $5 directly to the HEADstrong Venmo account with the runner’s name in the transaction’s comments.

The HEADstrong Foundation team took all these Venmo transactions and entered them as offline donations into Classy. At the end of the event, they had collected an additional $4,000 from this tactic alone. Today, Classy customers can include Venmo as a payment option directly on their donation websites to make it even simpler for donors to make an impact.

Incentivizing Participants Online

Next, the HEADstrong Foundation team had to brainstorm virtual incentives for participants. They decided to offer everyone a discount code for the HEADstrong Foundation online merchandise store through a personal letter from the executive director. That way, people could buy something they wanted, and all purchases contributed to a higher overall revenue and improved metrics for the event.

Last, event stakeholders worked hard to activate their supporters’ networks by spreading the word of the 5K through personal outreach. For example, one of the event influencers reached out to his former head coach, who decided to get his entire high school team involved in “The Last Shift.”

Nonprofit social media is yet another extremely powerful tool for organizations to reach wider audiences without sacrificing their budget. For the HEADstrong Foundation team, social media was the cornerstone engagement piece across all efforts. They asked participants to tag their posts with a custom hashtag, whether promoting registration or submitting a picture of their GPS route after running.

This was crucial to creating a sense of community, which is a fundamental pillar to successful virtual events. All attendees participate separately, but your nonprofit’s needs bring everyone together.

Lesson 5: Start Year-Round DIY Fundraising

Once the event is over, DIY fundraising can be the perfect way to follow up with your community and nurture all your new supporters to become lifelong members.

Moving forward, the HEADstrong Foundation team will build an endurance athlete fundraising program for people to run a 5K, triathlon, or Ironman or participate in another major athletic event and use it for fundraising on behalf of the organization.

For example, if someone loves golf, they can pledge their next game. If they go for a run every day, those runs can help fundraise on behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation.

Turn their entry point to your organization through a virtual event into a way they can easily continue to fundraise for you on their terms and bring those experiences face-to-face with their communities.

Bring Your Virtual Event to Life on Classy

With some creativity and the right tools, you can grow your fundraising event revenue to reach new heights. Use the HEADstrong Foundation as inspiration for ways your nonprofit can adapt quickly, activate your audience, and drive support for any virtual event you imagine.

If you’re interested to hear how Classy’s virtual event technology can help you take your strategy from pre-event planning to post-event engagement with real-time interaction and intuitive apps, explore Classy Live today.

We’ll detail everything you need to know as a first-time or returning attendee and the brand-new details that will make the 2023 experience even more memorable (if that’s possible!).

Collaborative 2023: The Full Experience

What is Collaborative by Classy?

Collaborative by Classy brings together forward-thinking nonprofit professionals and social sector experts for a two-day experience. Together with the brightest minds and best fundraisers in the industry, we uncover the ideas that will propel our sector forward and unlock the world’s generosity.

In 2022, we hosted over 293 organizations live in Philly. The hype was real about how valuable it was for nonprofit leaders and changemakers to reunite in person and build relationships lasting far beyond the closing remarks.

Our team left feeling reenergized and got to planning the 2023 event right away. We’re so happy to announce that registration is officially open to all.

The Conversations

Join us June 7-8, 2023 live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the rare opportunity to step outside the day-to-day and meaningfully engage with other nonprofit leaders. Embrace the opportunity to share your goals and challenges to continuously adapt to the ever-changing giving landscape and collectively brainstorm ways to evolve to meet growing demand. Collaborative is your community.

It’s the place where the most forward-thinking, inventive nonprofit leaders assemble for intentional learning experiences that leave them ready to raise more for their missions and ultimately do more good in the world.

The event series is known for hosting a diverse group of experts, such as:

• Anna Rathmann, Executive Director at the Jane Goodall Institute USA
• Abby Maxman, President of Oxfam America
• Becky Morphis, Vice President of Thought Leadership at Fidelity Charitable
• Reshma Saujani, Leading Activist & Founder of Girls Who Code and Marshall Plan for Moms
• Benjamin Lloyd Crump, Esquire, Founder, and Principal Owner, Ben Crump Law
• Joan Garry, Principal and Founder of Joan Garry Consulting and Nonprofit Leadership Lab

Collaborative is more than your average conference. It’s where a lifelong network of the sharpest and most innovative minds in the industry become a powerhouse community, united in the mission to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

The event series begins with the marquee event in June and continues with year-round opportunities to connect with fellow nonprofit leaders. Take advantage of the opportunity to engage in timely conversations about the latest industry trends, priorities, and relevant events.

Don’t Miss an Update: Sign up for updates on all things Collaborative.

The Venues

Collaborative by Classy 2023 will be returning to the Fishtown neighborhood. We’ve incorporated Philly’s vibrant culinary, art, and music trends to mark the occasion in style.

Check out a few of the live event spaces you’ll experience this year:

The Fillmore

Punch Line

Brooklyn Bowl

Travel and Accommodations

How does staying in the nation’s first modern skyscraper sound to you? Book a room at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, within walking distance of the city’s best sightseeing spots, restaurants, and bars.

We’ll offer a complimentary shuttle once you’re there to get you to our venues on time and without worry.

What’s New in 2023

You already know we’re passionate about making this year the best experience yet, so here’s a first glimpse at what’s in store to uplevel Collaborative by Classy for 2023 attendees:

Two Conference Days: Enjoy timely discussions about the latest fundraising and technology trends streamlined into two impactful days. We encourage all attendees to take advantage of the ample networking opportunities to build connections and expand their circle.

An Additional Venue: Get yet another unique space to connect at the Brooklyn Bowl, located on the same block as the Fillmore and Punch Line (No stuffy conference halls here!)

New Hotel for Attendees: Complete the experience with a center city-located hotel to rest and regroup between events or keep the conversations going over a workout or spa date

Collaborative Block Party: We couldn’t kick off the experience without a welcome party that truly makes a statement. Celebrate with us as Collaborative by Classy takes over the block with plenty of networking, entertainment, and experiential learning opportunities at your fingertips

Classy Awards Winner Announcement: Celebrate the impact of the social sector and be the first to find out who the 2023 winners are before they’re announced widely

We Can’t Have Collaborative Without The Classy Awards

The Classy Awards celebrate the innovative work of the social sector, recognizing the impact nonprofit organizations have on solving the world’s most pressing challenges. Starting in 2009, the Classy Awards have grown to become the premier awards for the social sector. Determined by a well-respected group of judges, the Classy Awards bring together groundbreaking nonprofits and impact leaders to recognize the achievements driving lasting change around the globe.

The 2023 Classy Award winners will be announced at Collaborative and will have the opportunity to attend exclusive, celebratory events over the course of the two days.

Stay Up to Date

Check back for updates and follow us on social media to stay up to date on the latest Collaborative announcements @connectatcollab.

Consider this your all-encompassing guide to building donor engagement through impactful fundraising initiatives and advocacy for mental health awareness.

Today’s Mental Health Crisis

Mental health is for everyone. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Various factors can compromise your mental health, resulting in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, stress, addiction, and disassociation. In fact, the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) found that 1 in 5 US adults experience mental illness each year, and 75% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 24.

These mental and behavioral health challenges impact people profoundly, changing how many live their everyday lives. For example, regardless of industry or seniority level, 59% of employees’ mental health problems affect them at work. Not to mention, the national rate of adults experiencing suicidal ideation has also increased yearly since 2011.

Many mental health resources, suicide prevention education, and mental health charities exist today to embrace people who need peer support as they experience the stigma, insecurity, and confusion that come with mental health issues. Yet, over 27 million individuals experiencing mental illness go untreated.

The world needs your mental health services and support. It’s just a matter of establishing that critical awareness and changing lives.

How to Stand Apart in Mental Health Fundraising

The number of mental health screening, mental health care, and mental health awareness nonprofits across the globe is incredibly encouraging for society—and a consideration about how to stand apart. We want to help you make your nonprofit’s name known and offer creative ways to make your work more accessible and engaging to the masses.

How Do You Engage Donors Thoughtfully to Spread Awareness?

Show authenticity: Those facing mental health challenges or who want to support those who do are actively looking for organizations they can connect with and trust. Donors feel the difference between a fundraising pitch and an authentic mission they want to support.

Make fundraising goals highly relevant: After a tragedy, difficult time, or sudden change that impacts a broad group of people, communities are often quick to respond. Think about timely fundraising opportunities in these moments or within mental health awareness month.

Educate supporters: Just as the statistics at the top of this article might have caught your attention, learning about the true impact of mental health challenges on the lives of people they know and love keeps them motivated.

Model inclusivity: Knowing that mental health impacts everyone in different ways, sparked by various situations, it’s essential to showcase how your organization supports anyone who needs it by demonstrating diversity.

Provide resources: When there’s a clear pathway for supporters to continue spreading awareness, they learn about your organization and how they can recruit their family members and communities to act. One great way to do this is through fact sheets or quotes on social media posts that people can save and reshare right from the platforms they use most.

Why Are Events Effective for Mental Health Awareness?

Mental wellness is all about connections. Events are proven to be highly-effective avenues for fostering meaningful relationships and boosting cause awareness, donor acquisition, conversion, and retention, as revealed in Classy’s The State of Modern Philanthropy. Our report found tremendous year-over-year donation volume growth for events and the highest conversion rate of all campaign types.

Today’s donors want to feel connected to the nonprofits they support. Hosting mental health events are an avenue to build that initial connection and awareness with new donors and remind existing supporters why their contributions matter.

How Do You Host a Mental Health Event?

Your mental health events can be as simple or sophisticated as your organization or audience prefers. Here’s a basic four-step formula you can start with and add new steps based on your chosen idea.

• Make a plan to determine a date, theme, goals, and audience value.
• Organize a list of tasks, essential milestones to reach, and a timeline.
• Recruit support from internal teammates and volunteers to help you.
• Be intentional about how each moving piece showcases your values.

10 Mental Health Event Ideas

1. Storytelling Livestream Series

An incredible way to validate individuals’ experiences is to share real stories about others who have gone through it. Host a storytelling series and livestream it to an audience of registered attendees. Then, gather stories from community members, your staff, or those impacted by your organization’s work to share tips for coping with various situations in a judgment-free environment to further foster peer support.

2. Mindfulness Meetups

Get people together for a live-ticketed mindfulness event. Bring in a mental health professional to talk on a specific topic, and consider auctioning off a few helpful mental health resources that the professional recommends. Attract people looking to connect over similar situations and gain access to a resource they might not otherwise find. Then, choose an exciting location nearby to make the event comfortable and inviting for anyone looking to learn more.

3. Burnout Prevention Sessions

Work-life balance and boundary setting are prominent challenges across organizations. These topics that ultimately impact behavioral health are often even harder to discuss with leadership. Help corporations or large businesses further advocate for workplace mental health by opening this line of communication and hosting a joint burnout prevention session.

Share stress reduction tips, screening tools, and helpful apps to empower workers to check in with themselves. After the session, offer an easy way for anyone particularly moved to set up a personalized peer-to-peer fundraising page and raise money on your behalf.

4. Get-outside Challenges

Getting outside is one way to support anyone’s mental health and a nice sentiment to share with your supporters. Host a virtual challenge to walk, bike, swim, run, or hike a mile in a beautiful setting and invite participants from everywhere to join. Then, encourage supporters to raise funds through a peer-to-peer campaign leading up to it.

Consider ways to incorporate symbolism into your event, like walking 2,000 steps to represent the number of young adults and adolescents provided free therapy services by your organization. Lastly, make it easy and exciting to share online by using various natural settings in people’s feeds and showcasing that no one is alone.

5. Breathwork Workshops

Many people are intimidated by the idea of breathwork, so help them test the waters in an educational workshop. You can offer free registration for your event, with the ask to contribute what they can.

Consider including a QR code on the event’s donation page, at a water bottle station near the event’s entrance, or in other places that prompt people to give as they enjoy the experience.

6. Pop-up Snack Bars

Head to a populated area in your community and grab some volunteer staff, exciting recipes, and a blender to demonstrate the power of tasty, balanced nutrition on mental well-being.

Sell homemade muffins, hot coffee, and delicious smoothies you can place your logo on to gain even more awareness as people share the pleasant surprise online. This is another opportunity to pop a QR code on napkins or cups to raise more.

7. Random Acts of Kindness Challenges

There’s no denying the feeling you get when someone does something nice for you without any expectations. Equally as fulfilling is doing something to make someone’s day they didn’t expect.

Start random acts of kindness challenges with your supporters and communities to build awareness around your work. Take to social media and call on people to film their kind acts in real-time or their reaction to surprising someone else and challenge others to do the same.

Just remember to create a memorable hashtag for your challenge associated with your organization’s name to draw traffic back to your social media accounts, where a donation page link awaits.

8. Mirror Reminders

It’s become popular to stick a quote or personal intention on a mirror or somewhere you see yourself daily. For instance, in Kendall Jenner’s viral interview with Jay Shetty for his podcast, On Purpose, she shared her method of placing a younger picture of herself on her mirror to remember the importance of talking to herself and her inner child with care.

You can help others take the same self-care approach by creating a sticker or reminder for them to place in a special location. Then, sell the stickers for a low cost or as an add-on to any donations made with a thoughtful note to explain the significance.

9. Mental Health Advocates

Become affiliated with mental advocates and influencers across TikTok or Instagram, where you can reach more people daily. After all, people are more open to following voices in the mental health arena when they share experiences with those individuals.

Have them speak to the work your organization does or help promote one of their virtual fundraising events. That way, you broaden your reach globally through a relatable lens.

Here are a few mental health micro-influencers to consider for a creative partnership on TikTok:

• @lindsay.fleminglpc
• @theshaniproject 
• @drjuliesmith 
• @elysemyers 
• @matthiasjbarker

10. Gratitude Letter Writing Events

They say feeling gratitude can outweigh the feeling of anxiety. Why not take that theory and spread good energy among your community? Wondering how to practice gratitude fundraising? With every donation over a specific period, send supporters a gratitude letter writing kit with stickers, pens, branded stationery, and envelopes.

Encourage writing gratitude down and showcasing the feeling to someone to improve the mental health of a donor and the recipient of their letter. This is a great incentive to donate and build awareness for those needing it most.

Bring Your Mental Health Event to Life

Customize any of these mental health event ideas to align with your foundation’s mission. Just be sure to focus on what matters, using technology that works seamlessly in the background and provides donors with the most straightforward experience.

Nonprofits of all sizes can deploy customized fundraising strategies on Classy. We have the fundraising event platform to support you as you craft your virtual and hybrid event experiences or add that modern flair to your in-person event.

Secure More Sponsorships With Classy

What Is a Sponsor Letter?

A sponsorship letter is a donation request that asks a company or individual to sponsor an upcoming event, project, or activity. The purpose of this kind of fundraising letter is to convince the benefactor that your fundraising event or project deserves their support.

Sponsorship letters are one of the most common donation request letters because they are versatile. You can use them to ask for support from individuals and companies, and you can ask for any amount of money.

The letter should include information about the benefits of sponsorship, such as how it helps the sponsor increase visibility and build their brand. It should also provide details about how much money the prospective sponsor will receive for their support and how long the sponsorship will run for.

What is the benefit of a fundraising or event sponsorship?

For a nonprofit, corporate sponsorship is part of managing a well-rounded fundraising plan. It’s a way to accomplish more for its mission with financial help, auction items, or in-kind donation support from a business or corporation.

Nonprofits often have fundraising ideas that require more assistance than their teams can tackle alone. Bringing in partnerships from organizations that align with your cause unleashes new possibilities for communities in need.

For a business or corporation, a corporate sponsorship offers increased visibility within a community. The sponsoring business can establish its charitable image by supporting organizations that do incredible work.

Many consumers prefer a business that shows their investment in their community regularly, making a sponsorship opportunity an excellent way to make a big splash and bring a good cause to the forefront.

How do you ask for sponsorship?

Asking for sponsorship is all about making a good impression. A sponsorship proposal letter is both informative and persuasive. It should provide all the information a prospective sponsor needs to make an informed decision while also making the case for why they should support your cause.

Know your audience

Who is the person you’re asking for money? What demographic information is important to know? What do they like to read, what perks do they care about, and how can you relate to them? Make sure you’re speaking to them in a way that resonates.

Be clear about what you need and why it’s important

When you’re asking someone for sponsorship, it helps to be clear about your needs. Be specific about what you’d like them to sponsor, what timeframe you’re looking at, and the expectations that come along with a sponsorship of this kind.

You should also include your fundraising goal and the impact of that goal on your community. With that comes a clear outline of why this sponsorship is essential for your organization, project, or program.

How to Write a Sponsorship Request Letter

Each sponsorship email will have a layout and content custom to its recipient and a timely ask. We laid out some must-haves in your sponsorship letter so you never miss an opportunity.

• Include details about the sponsorship: You never want to leave your potential sponsor wondering what you’re asking them for. Lay out the details of the event or specific fundraising initiative and any sponsorship levels using enticing language.
• Introduce yourself properly: Help your potential sponsor better understand and connect with your organization and its mission to ensure a natural partnership.
• Personalize your letter: A good sponsorship request letter should be personalized with the name of the person or organization you’d like to sponsor your nonprofit. When it comes to proactive and effectivedonor management, personalization is key.
• Keep it clear and concise: Even if your formal letter contains a lot of information, it should still be clear and concise so that it doesn’t confuse the reader or waste their time. Use a friendly tone, addressing the recipient by their first name, if possible.
• Include next steps: At the end of your letter, ensure the reader knows what they should do next. Clearly state how they can confirm their sponsorship or who they can contact regarding any clarifying questions. You can also include a short postscript restating the call to action or adding an element of urgency to your request. Your P.S. is more likely to be read than any other part of your fundraising letter. Plus, letters including a P.S. have higher response rates than those that don’t.

How Do You Write an Email Asking for a Sponsorship?

In today’s online world of communication, your sponsorship letter will likely be in the form of an email. In alignment with top email best practices, you’ll want to think about a few unique ways to ensure your message is received, opened, and, most importantly—responded to.

• Craft a compelling subject line: Include enough detail to be clear but enough flair to catch attention, like these email subject line examples.
• Keep it brief: The best part about an email is your ability to use hyperlinks and reduce the amount of text.
• Add visuals: The more you can show your organization off instead of just telling a sponsor why they should consider your request, the stronger connection you can build.
• Add contact information: Don’t make your recipient search for a phone number or point of contact to respond to your ask, especially if the email is forwarded.
• Plan for follow-up: Emails can easily get lost in the shuffle, but waiting about a week to send a follow-up can reopen the conversation without being too pushy.

5 Types of Sponsorship Letter Templates

Local Business Sponsorship Letter Sample

Subject line: Sponsorship opportunity | [BUSINESS NAME] x [NONPROFIT NAME]

Hi [NAME],

Our team at [YOUR ORGANIZATION] couldn’t help but notice the impact [LOCAL BUSINESS] has on our community here in [LOCATION]. We were wondering if you would be interested in a sponsorship for [FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE].

Becoming a sponsor can bring [LOCAL BUSINESS] new business and showcase how our values align in the mission to solve [YOUR MISSION/CHALLENGES AT HAND].

Here’s what it would look like:

• [TIME COMMITMENT]
• [FINANCIAL/PRODUCT/SPACE CONTRIBUTIONS]
• [THE VALUE IT PROVIDES TO THEIR BUSINESS]

I can’t wait to talk more about this opportunity. I’ll follow up in a few days to check in and answer any questions if I don’t hear from you before then.

Best,

[YOUR NAME]

Corporate Sponsorship Request Letter Template

Subject line: Sponsorship opportunity | [COMPANY NAME] x [NONPROFIT NAME]

Hi [NAME],

Our team at [YOUR ORGANIZATION] is so impressed by [CORPORATION]’s vision and we see many overlapping values between our two organizations. We were wondering if you would be interested in a sponsorship for [FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE].

Customers who love your [PRODUCT/SERVICE] can see your values in action by teaming up to support our mission to solve [YOUR MISSION/CHALLENGES AT HAND].

Here’s what it would look like:

• [TIME COMMITMENT]
• [FINANCIAL/PRODUCT/SPACE CONTRIBUTIONS]
• [THE VALUE IT PROVIDES TO THEIR BUSINESS]

I can’t wait to talk more about this opportunity. I’ll follow up in a few days to check in and answer any questions if I don’t hear from you before then.

Best,

[YOUR NAME]

Event Sponsorship Letter Template

Subject line: Sponsorship opportunity | [BUSINESS NAME] x [NONPROFIT EVENT NAME]

Dear [NAME],

We are writing to you today on behalf of [YOUR ORGANIZATION].

As an organization that provides [product/service], we can see [THEIR ORGANIZATION] becoming a wonderful sponsor for our upcoming event, [EVENT NAME].

Our team created [EVENT NAME] to bring together our supporters, potential new donors, and the community around our mission to solve [YOUR MISSION/CHALLENGES AT HAND]. We host this event at [venue]. We’ve invited several local businesses to participate as sponsors, with many donating products or services to auction off during the event.

The sponsorship would be primarily financed with a donation of any amount from $[DOLLAR AMOUNT] to $[DOLLAR AMOUNT]. If you choose not to give financial support, we’d love for you to consider donating something else—a service or product to help us put on a great show.

As an official sponsor of our event, your logo will appear throughout the festival space atop banners and posters. Your sponsorship dollars will go towards helping us cover the costs associated with putting on an event of this scale—from renting equipment and materials to securing the event space.

If you’re interested in sponsoring our event or learning more about how we can work together, please contact me at [PHONE] or email me at [EMAIL].

Learn more about how we plan to make a difference:

[EVENT LINK]

Thank you for reading about our mission. Please contact us if you’d like to find out more and get involved with our fundraising efforts.

Best,

[NAME]

In-Kind Sponsorship Letter Template

Subject line: In-kind sponsorship opportunity | [BUSINESS NAME] x [NONPROFIT NAME]

Dear [NAME],

We are writing to you today on behalf of [YOUR ORGANIZATION].

As an organization that provides [product/service], we can see [THEIR ORGANIZATION] becoming a wonderful in-kind sponsor for our upcoming [EVENT NAME OR FUNDRAISER].

Here’s a list of in-kind donations you can provide as a sponsor:

• [ITEM 1]
• [ITEM 2]
• [ITEM 3]

All of these items help us in our mission to solve [YOUR MISSION/ CHALLENGES AT HAND].

As an official sponsor of our fundraiser, your logo will appear on all of our promotional collateral and drive traffic back to your business.

We need all in-kind donations by [DATE], which you can mail or deliver to [ADDRESS].

We can’t wait to hear back from you.

Best,

[NAME]

Bring Your Sponsorship Opportunity to the Next Level

Social Media

There are so many examples of corporate sponsorships that bring social media to the forefront. As you’re thinking through your sponsor letter, consider ways to add value through social awareness and sharing.

For example, do you have a branded hashtag that both your sponsors and your organization can use to promote your fundraiser or event? Do you have influencers who are partnering with you to build traffic to your site during this time that would add exposure for your sponsors too?

There’s a lot you can do online that sweetens the deal for potential businesses and organizations who are considering your sponsorship proposal.

Promotions and Incentives

The way you promote your sponsorship can draw in big names too. Get creative about ways to place your sponsors front and center across your donation website, communications, event branding, fundraising promotional materials, and physical signage.

The more real estate they can gain for their logo in correlation with your mission, the more they may want to give. This can also be a great way to segment different sponsorship levels. Offer additional exposure opportunities for those willing to give at a higher level.

Thank you letters

Your nonprofit likely already knows the importance of sending adonation acknowledgement letter (also known as a donation receipt). Still, they should not be overlooked as a powerful way to show appreciation to your sponsors.

When your fundraiser or event concludes, get one step ahead of securing your sponsors for next year by giving them a strong reason to stay connected. You could even make a phone call to thank each sponsor on a more personal level. Authenticity will go a long way when navigating the sponsorship process.

Nail Your Sponsorship Request Letters

A sponsorship letter isn’t just a letter — it’s a go-to tool designed to build partnerships that raise money and awareness for your organization. They allow you to share your story, explain your cause, and tell people why they should join in. No matter which of these five sponsorship letters you send, ensure you do your homework and convey a clear, compelling message.

Throughout the year, we heard insights from our nonprofit and technology ecosystem partners that deepened our understanding of the social sector’s opportunities and challenges. We also conducted research, shared in our annual reports, including Why America Gives and The State of Modern Philanthropy. Now, as part of GoFundMe, we have the broadest view of the donor landscape to date that accounts for both giving to individuals and organizations. 

I’ve synthesized all of these inputs into five trends I believe nonprofits can use to create proactive strategies to raise more in 2023.

1. Fundraising Will Require Precision to Break Through the Noise 

Donors are often inundated with requests to give. Consider the requests that occur on an average day—donors round up a bill at the grocery store, receive a donation appeal through email or social media, and find a pamphlet about an organization in the mail. With so many methods of giving available to today’s donors, you will need to break through the noise with a clear message on the specific channels that reach your donors. 

Focus on data specific to your target cohort of donors to inform which interactions are most likely to result in donations. Understand your target donor’s daily interactions and influences, such as their demographics, careers, location, friends, and family. We’ll see advanced A/B testing capabilities, marketing analytics, and audience segmentation become a greater focus in the coming year as organizations hone in on their ideal audience. New opportunities will be unlocked when a nonprofit knows where to place an impactful message and what that message should contain to align with its donors.

2. Privacy Controls Will Promote High-Quality, Targeted Marketing

As privacy controls increase, creating valuable, relevant content that targets the right audience becomes even more critical. Generic marketing campaigns will lose their effectiveness in garnering donors and hinder your ability to reach and engage the right audience. We’re already seeing this in some of our marketing channels. Take email, for example. It’s becoming even easier to unsubscribe to emails as Apple and Google develop banners at the top of emails and prompts asking whether you’d like to unsubscribe. If your content is not customized toward the individual, you risk getting left behind.

Additionally, as more donors opt out of data sharing, the transparency of how and where you are using their data will become even more important. By increasing the trust in your organization and your data collection practices, you’ll make donors more likely to share their data willingly. 

3. Charitable Funding Will Further Diversify

We see the definition of giving evolving to include not only monetary donations to organizations but also donations given directly to individuals through platforms like GoFundMe, and non-monetary gifts such as volunteering time or the contribution of goods. 

As younger generations inherit wealth from Baby Boomers, the ways in which these younger generations give will continue to evolve the fundraising landscape. We see, for example, that Millennials and Gen Z prefer to be more hands-on with their investments, with 40% checking their investments daily. 

As these generations earn and inherit wealth, they are more likely to turn to investment-based giving such as stocks, Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), and cryptocurrency. Almost 60% of millennials own cryptocurrency or stock, and younger generations are twice as likely to give through structured vehicles, such as DAFs. As you look to diversify fundraising at your nonprofit, donations through DAFs and non-cash gifts will be particularly fruitful as those gift options are typically much larger than cash gifts from the same donor.

4. Nonprofits Will Trade Custom Platforms and All-in-One Solutions for Comprehensive, Specialized Partners

The time, development, and resources required to maintain and keep up with the latest technological advances will outweigh the benefits of a customized solution.

Similarly, while the concept of an all-in-one solution seems to promote ease of use and time-savings, in reality, it lacks the flexibility and agility to match the pace of technology. An all-in-one solution’s reliance on acquisitions means that its extensive list of products does not easily integrate and is not updated to keep up with the latest advancements.

In its place, nonprofits will lean on platforms that take the middle path between point solutions and all-in-one approaches. Organizations will prioritize platforms that balance breadth and focus to drive key efficiency gains. This balance will help avoid the complexity tax associated with managing disjointed solutions and donor frustrations bred from platforms trying to be everything at the cost of innovation and user interface.

5. Technology and Partnerships Will Drive Human Resource Priorities 

You might be one of the many nonprofits seeing heightened competition (and turnover) of employees with expertise in high-priority tools and systems. By leaning on technology and partnerships to automate tedious, day-to-day operations, employees will be more likely to stay on board. 

Instead of seeking out talent based on experience with the platform, we’ll see talent sought out for their expertise in a particular function, such as digital marketing, and their ability to learn quickly as systems innovate. Organizations will look for intuitive, easy-to-adopt technology to pair alongside strong digital partners that support scalability in areas such as SEO, paid advertising, email marketing, and A/B testing. 

Nonprofit Fundraising Trends and the Year to Come

I see so much opportunity ahead for the social sector. As a new generation of donors emerges to redirect fundraising efforts, as the pace of innovation quickens for fundraising technology, and as the way you build relationships with donors strengthens from precise, targeted marketing, 2023 holds a lot of promise. I hope these trends help you take on the new year with a critical lens to identify new ways to support your nonprofit and raise more for your mission.

Fundraising events can generate significant revenue from new donors for social impact organizations. They often require time to plan and market, so we gathered various types of fundraising ideas to help you create your next event.

Types of Fundraising Events

1. Fun run/walk

Fun runs and walks do not include marathons, half-marathons, 5Ks, or other high-profile races. Fun runs do not require special permits or road closures. For example, this could be an event that uses a community hiking trail. Fun runs and walks are the easiest fundraising campaign events to plan and deliver a high return on investment for organizations of all sizes.

StacheStrong doubled its donation goal for the year with a hybrid 5K walk/run event by pairing a donor-focused fundraising experience and personal stories of impact to remind people why the event was vital to the organization’s mission.

2. A-thon events

Community events such as walk-a-thons have become an increasingly effective fundraising strategy in the nonprofit community. Whether a nonprofit is hosting a walk-a-thon, golf-a-thon, or a hike-a-thon, these events are a perfect way to:

• Raise awareness of your mission

• Build support within your community

• Increase fundraising

Dollar for dollar, a-thon events incur the fewest costs, which makes them a good option for many nonprofits with small budgets looking to get the most bang for their buck. Large and mid-size nonprofit organizations also see a good return on investment, seeing results that yield low costs per dollar raised.

3. Competition (non-sport)

Instill a sense of competitiveness among your supporters by organizing a competition such as eating, singing, or dancing. Members of the public pay to participate in voting or in the competition itself to raise funds for your cause. Local laws can sometimes hinder a competition, so make sure your competition is cleared before you spend time planning it.

A non-sports competition is another type of fundraising event that incurs fewer costs for nonprofit organizations of all sizes. Non-sports competitions are another easy fundraising event type to plan with the greatest return on investment.

Competitions can be a great way to bring peer-to-peer fundraising to your event. You can have donors share their personalized online fundraising pages with peers to help cover their registration costs and contribute additional donations for your organization.

Did you know? Events with a peer-to-peer element have the highest conversion rate of all Classy campaigns.

4. Fashion Show

Show off new styles in a fashion show fundraiser that gets everyone involved. Not only do people love to walk in fashion shows, but organizations like local boutiques love to see their creations featured in this way. For each model, there’s a passionate family and friend group waiting to see them in action.

Runway for Recovery recently ran a hybrid fundraising fashion show with the help of Classy Live and reached over 1,300 real-time audience members from 13 countries. The organization raised $375,000 during a 2022 runway show to surpass its goal and spread awareness to honor breast cancer patients.

5. Auction

Auctions are one of the most effective ways to bolster the scope of your event, attract more potential donors, and provide incentives for supporters to spend more money. An auction fundraising event not only gives your guests a reason to open their wallets but also gives them something to do while socializing. Discussing items to be auctioned off gives organizations an easy tie-in to the fundraising component of the event without having to ask for a direct donation in person.

​​You can ask board members for support to gather high-worth auction items from community members or their connections. Mobile bidding functionality can also help enhance the experience for in-person guests. You can easily track bids and motivate attendees to give more through a simplified payment process.

6. Art Exhibit

A charity art show is an opportunity for members of your community to display their talents for a great cause. There are several ways to host an art exhibit. One way is to hold the exhibit as a contest, where local artists showcase their work for a small entry fee in order to be professionally judged, with donated prizes for winners in various categories. Another way is to find artists who are willing to show their work in the interest of selling it for your benefit, giving a percentage of the sale to your organization.

Art exhibits are relatively easy to plan and showcase an opportunity to get your local artist community involved in a good cause.

7. Gala

A nonprofit gala is a large-scale fundraising event that usually includes dinner, dancing, entertainment, and silent auctions or raffles to benefit a cause. It’s a great opportunity to pair with a local restaurant. Because this is typically the biggest event a nonprofit will hold, it requires many resources to pull together. While ticket sales go toward fundraising efforts, most galas sell sponsorships or corporate tables. Others hold a silent auction where you can have a much higher profit if most of the items are donated.

Consider hosting your gala online through a virtual event platform to eliminate the cost of food and beverage (including caterers, waiters, and bartenders), rental fees for the location of the event, transportation, security, parking, and hotel fees for V.I.P. guests.

The average cost per dollar raised by galas is also much higher than other event types such as an a-thon or art exhibition.

African Community Education (ACE) held its annual gala in a hybrid event setting for the first time in 2021 and saw about 200% growth year-over-year in the fundraising revenue it brought in. They kept production costs low while reaching more attendees who gave generously to support the cause.

8. Concert

Benefit concerts aren’t just the celebrity performer-packed events you see on television. Concerts can also be smaller scale, featuring local talent. The benefit is that these performers are more accessible and likely to bring their family and circle of friends to the event. With fundraising software, you can also ask bands to set up team pages and fundraise in the weeks leading up to the show. This way, even their out-of-town supporters who cannot attend will have the opportunity to give.

Concerts can be some of the most fun events to host once everything comes together. Still, they have a very high cost per dollar and substantial upfront costs, making them more suitable for large nonprofits with big budgets and experienced staff. This type of event works best when you can secure entertainment and charge a higher entrance fee.

9. Sporting Event

Many sports teams work with nonprofits to assist with nontraditional fundraising at sporting events. Hot dogs, french fries, soda, and peanuts are arguably the four essentials of every sporting event. You can be a promoter of all four of these treats, plus get donations for your organization by working concession stands at a few of your local teams’ football, baseball, and basketball games.

You can even pair up with local businesses to provide more items like custom t-shirts for guests to purchase. Your organization gets a percentage of what you sell during the day. Sporting events encourage teamwork and allow nonprofits to gain funds in an adrenaline-packed atmosphere.

3 Bonus Fundraising Event Ideas

We have 77 fundraising event ideas to inspire you after you make your way through this list, but here are a few more great ones to dig into:

1. Host an event centered around raffle tickets to raise money
2. Bring a real-time fundraising thermometer as a fun way to entice gifts
3. Turn your charity race into a full series 

Tracking Event Data

No matter what type of event you decide to host, you should always track your data. The numbers will help you gauge the success of the event, improve attendance, and determine how to cut costs for future events. Some metrics that provide important event insights include the total amount of contributions raised, expenses, social media interactions and engagement, registration sources, and the number of attendees for each event.

For larger events with many moving parts, or for recurring events that an organization aims to improve year over year, performance analysis is best managed through an online donation platform. The reporting tools and dashboards make it less stressful for nonprofits to analyze the performance of their event donation page against their fundraising goal.  It also reduces the number of hours spent doing administrative work.

Simply put, the larger the event and the more staff and volunteers needed to manage it, the more software simplifies the process to ensure the event goes well

Make a Splash at Your Next Fundraising Event

Choose your favorite fundraising event type to reach your goal. Whether you’re hosting a gala, an art exhibit, or a bake sale, there are a few things you can do to increase donations with your fundraising event idea on the day of the event and for years to come:

• Use fundraising and event software to reduce staff workload by automating common tasks and aggregating data
• Host your event with an engaging online component to reach attendees you might not have before
• Plan inspiring events, ensuring attendees leave with an understanding of your organization’s mission and what they can do to help
• Create a natural follow-up with donors to become part of your recurring giving program and contribute small donations each month leading up to the next event
• Provide a link to a crowdfunding campaign to collect online donations in your post-event communications

What Are the Benefits of Virtual Fundraising?

Virtual events helps your nonprofit reach entirely new audiences with a next level fundraising strategy. They also allow for on-demand events that open the likelihood of supporters attending and viewing your content than a time-bound event. You can appeal to your donor’s schedules, and reach more potential donors using the recordings of your event. Imagine hosting your event once, and keeping registration to access the content on-demand all year to continue building relationships and support raising funds.

A Modern Take on Virtual Fundraising Software

As you start to think about virtual fundraising efforts, consider the way technology sets you up for success. Engaging event platforms let you bring physical, virtual, and hybrid events to life with tech enhancements that exceed modern donor expectations.

22 Creative Virtual Fundraising Ideas

Across almost all virtual fundraising events, your nonprofit organization will likely want to livestream content to your audience. You can also embed your Zoom recording, YouTube or Twitch livestream directly into your Classy virtual fundraising campaign or Classy Live event.

In-Person Event Pivots to Virtual or Hybrid

1. Online Gala Dinner

Many nonprofits were forced to pivot their in-person galas to virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which struck during the height of gala season. However, nonprofits have seen great success hosting their galas virtually. There’s no longer a geographic restraint so anyone can attend, you can emulate table fundraising with online peer-to-peer fundraising and team captains, and you may actually net higher fundraising totals with an expanded attendance and less overhead costs.

Upaya Social Ventures successfully pivoted their in-person gala to a virtual gala in a few weeks and ended up raising over $300,000, 50% more than their initial fundraising goal. They used their Classy campaign page as a central hub to post messages from leadership, share engaging videos, and even host an auction.

2. Online Auctions

Similar to galas, an online auction or silent auction can increase your audience of potential donors and bidders. The key to a successful virtual auction is twofold. On one hand, your nonprofit must take stock of your items, clearly define the rules for participants, set competitive bids, and promote the auction items in emails and on social media.

On the other hand, you can also use this as an opportunity to ask for donations throughout the event that are separate from the price of every auction item. This way, you can keep people engaged at times when they might drop off. For example, if someone is outbid on an item, you can suggest they donate the amount they would have paid to your organization directly.

3. Online Telethons

You can also turn an online raffle or auction into a telethon event. A telethon can be an opportunity to livestream with a special host or group of engaging community members. You can use the time to share items for auction or raffle of fun prizes in exchange for donations. Mobile bidding can enhance the experience as you tie your event to an online campaign or donation page.

Get creative about a theme that resonates with the time of year or your current projects. You can translate that theme to your host’s appearance, the set of your telethon, and any supporting marketing materials.

Food and Drink Virtual Fundraising Ideas

4. Cooking or Mixology Virtual Classes

Whether you’re making homemade pasta or mixing up a nice old fashioned, cooking and mixology virtual classes cater perfectly to a virtual audience. Your nonprofit can partner with a local chef or mixologist, or even famous culinary influencers if you have the connections, and stream the virtual cooking class fundraising event live.

You can charge admission with a ticketed event fundraising page, or in the form of a donation. The key is to set tiers of gifts. For example, $100 can guarantee a supporter gets a seat in the class, but $250 or more will allow that supporter to participate in a live virtual happy hour or webinar with the cook or mixologist after the class is concluded. Additionally, you can make calls to donate to your nonprofit throughout the livestream fundraising event.

5. Group Dining Events

It may not be feasible to gather your community of supporters together around a good meal, but there are ways to transition a feeling of togetherness into a virtual fundraising idea. When Miry’s List hosted their 2020 World Refugee Day Awards Campaign, they offered a takeout picnic that supporters could pick up curbside and enjoy at home while they watched the virtual awards ceremony.

6.Virtual Alcohol Tasting

Whiskey, wine, mezcal, or otherwise, alcohol tastings are never dull events. Your nonprofit can create a virtual fundraising event where the price of registration includes the cost of the alcohol and shipping. Your supporters can then receive their drinks in time for the live event, where a professional teaches them about the alcohol.

There are some rules and restrictions by which you must abide in order to ensure the legality of your event, but Hope for Haiti is a great example of a nonprofit who has done this with Haitian crema. You can use their model to get started, like clearly calling out which states are eligible to receive alcohol shipments, but always consult with your legal team to ensure you’re in compliance with state and federal laws.

Athletic Virtual Fundraising Ideas

7. Yoga Class

Reach out to your local yoga studio and invite them to lead a class, or series of classes, in partnership with your nonprofit over zoom. You can also ask your supporters if any of them are yoga teachers, or know someone, who would want to guide the classes. Either way, you can sell tickets to your community, as well as the community that regularly supports the yoga studio. The best part of this virtual fundraiser is that there’s no limit to the number of people who can join.

8. Bootcamp

For your supporters who want more of a hardcore workout over a relaxing yoga class, bootcamp is the perfect option. Collaborate with a local trainer to develop a regimen and have them lead the virtual workout. You can also design it so no extra equipment is required, supporters can do it on their own time, and they can share results on social media after.

Consider pre-recording the initial workout with the trainer so you can keep the virtual bootcamp up in a more evergreen capacity. Each time someone pays the registration fee, you can email them the video.

9. Virtual Walks and Runs

Many nonprofits who host regular endurance events—like the Cleveland Clinic VeloSano event, a walk-a-thon, a stair climb, or a 5K—often incorporate a virtual fundraising component into their event even when they’re hosting it in-person. The formula is simple: you charge registration through an online donation form and then the athlete completes the distance on their own.

If you’re going fully virtual, it’s crucial that you create engagement opportunities throughout the campaign. Have riders or racers start peer-to-peer fundraising pages to solicit their networks for support, ask them to share photos on social media with a hashtag, and send them branded gear that promotes your nonprofit while they race.

Community Engagement Virtual Fundraising Ideas

10. Virtual Crowdfunding Pet Events

This virtual fundraising idea capitalizes on people’s love of showing off their furry friends. An event like this can be a great way to get people involved with your organization, especially in a virtual environment. Often, all that’s needed is for them to snap a picture of their pet and post it to social media with a specific event hashtag. You could run a crowdfunding campaign that coincides with the awareness to give people a place to take action.

For example, if you’re hosting a virtual pet parade, they can dress their animals up in costumes and post photos. The virtual component also expands the potential audience since people with birds, turtles, rabbits, and lizards might not normally be able to attend an in-person event with their pets—pets they might not be comfortable taking outdoors. Everyone can participate.

The Boulder Humane Society pivoted their annual Doggie Dash event into a fully virtual fundraising event. They drove engagement across their social media channels powered by user-generated content, and raised 101% of their fundraising goal.

11. Community Talks

Virtual community talks offer an opportunity for your nonprofit to offer supporters something of value, as well as solicit donations for your mission at the same time. Tap your board members, executive leadership, or prominent members of your community and have them speak about topics related to your mission. You can also bring in outside speakers to discuss relevant or timely topics.

For example, if your nonprofit is involved in the fight for social justice, you can have a respected diversity coach lead an open discussion for your supporters. Whatever topic you choose, you can engage your audience with Q&A sessions, educational hand-outs, and interactive conversations throughout.

12. Book Clubs

Virtual book clubs are a great way to get your supporters to donate. Charge a small fee for supporter to get admitted. You can make this a club that recurringly meets and give the attendees an opportunity to donate each time. Book clubs allow for discussion and adds a personal touch to getting connected with supporters.

13. Behind-the-Scenes Tours

What goes on at your organization that the average, everyday supporter never gets to witness? Host a virtual fundraising event that takes your supporters on a behind-the-scenes virtual tour of your operations. There are countless options for what you can show your supporters, regardless of your cause category. The key is to provide them with a value equal to the amount they donate to participate.

This tactic worked well for the Joffrey Ballet in their campaign, “Pulling Back the Curtain: The Nutcracker.” They invited people to get a first glimpse of the play with footage, interviews with artists, the art team, and secret delights along the tour. What’s more, they created their page so that people were sponsoring the virtual event versus just making a donation. This language makes it feel tangible for supporters and gives them a sense of ownership over the actual event when it takes place.

14. Virtual Tailgate

Tailgating for a major sports event is one of the most fun parts of watching the game. You can make your tailgate avirtual celebration. Have your supporters purchase a tailgate package, which can be picked up and taken back home before the big game.

The Palmer Home for Children decided to host a virtual tailgate like this for the Mississippi State football team, and supporters a cooler filled with tailgate foods and treats. They creatively sold sponsorship packages as well, and anyone who purchased a sponsorship had their organization included inside the tailgate cooler on special promotions. Anyone who was unable to grab a tailgate cooler could make a one-time donation and celebrate with a virtual cocktail.

Arts and Entertainment Virtual Fundraising Ideas

15. Game/ Trivia Night

Nothing beats an engaging game night to spark donations to your fundraiser. There are endless virtual game night opportunities with trivia being a stand-out when it comes to captivating the attention of the attendees. You can even tailor the trivia questions to your company or charity to get attendees to learn more about the cause.

16. Virtual Movie Night

Movie nights are an easy way to solicit donations. Simply charge a fee to enter the virtual screening of a popular movie. At the end or beginning of the movie, you can further explain your cause and communicate your mission to your supporters.

17. Script Readings

Hosting a virtual movie night is a good idea, but it can be difficult to convince someone to donate and watch a movie at their house when they could simply watch it on their own. One way to level up this virtual fundraising idea is to invite actors to join your organization on a livestream and read the script to a famous movie together.

To be clear, you don’t need to be an arts organization to do this, any nonprofit can. The key is to get the right people to participate in the script reading. If you don’t have connections to influential actors, you can tap into the local businesses, performance arts centers, schools, or even your direct audience of supporters to participate.

18. Tour an Art Gallery

In the world of virtual fundraising ideas and events, no geographic territory is off-limits. Your organization might be located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your supporters a tour of MOMA in New York City. It boils down to securing partnerships with the right people and orchestrating a virtual fundraising event.

You might not be able to secure access to major venues, but there are thousands of smaller artists around the United States who would likely be willing to showcase their galleries to your supporters. You can build this as a ticketed event and maybe even throw in an online fundraising auction for the artist’s various creations.

19. Virtual Concerts

You might not be able to go to an in-person venue to watch your favorite band play, but that doesn’t mean concerts are off the table. Reach out to bands and invite them to perform for your audience in a closed venue. Sell tickets for the virtual fundraising event idea, solicit donations during the virtual concert, and livestream all the excitement to everyone who bought a ticket.

20. Virtual Pageant

Similar to a concert, you can host a pageant and livestream it for your attendees who bought tickets. Unlike a concert, you can use this opportunity to shine a light on your beneficiaries.

Arc Broward hosted the Virtual Miss Arc Broward Pageant, which empowers their beneficiaries who actually participate in the pageant. They sold tickets to save a virtual seat for the livestreamed event and added upgrade options to enhance the viewing experience with a hot chocolate bomb, a make-your-own pizza experience, or charcuterie board for two. Each enhancement was designed to be a curbside pickup that you take home and enjoy while watching.

21. Comedy Events

Comedians can find opportunities to perform for wider audiences online. Your nonprofit can secure comedy talent from local improv venues all the way up to nationally recognized names, and everything in between. This virtual talent show fundraising event can be more than just a ticket purchase. It can be part of a larger giving day.

The Scleroderma Research Foundation hosts an annual comedy event called Cool Comedy, Hot Cuisine. When they pivoted to a fully virtual event, they moved all of their performers into the virtual space to deliver their performances as well. However, they enhanced the experience by folding in an online auction and gourmet food and wine boxes for purchase.

22. Virtual Fashion Show

A fashion show can be a great virtual fundraising idea for schools, clubs, or communities looking to raise money. You can get creative and partner with local boutiques or stores that would love to have their clothing promoted for a good cause. You could livestream the event or pre-record the fashion show and sell tickets to view it when it’s finalized. You could even lean into a peer-to-peer fundraising model by having each participant or model raise money from their friends, families, and social networks.

African Community Education (ACE) transformed their annual gala into a flexible hybrid event that welcomed virtual guests. During the 2021 giving season, ACE has students walk in a fashion show that was streamed to a virtual audience to immerse them in the experience. The result was a 3X increase in revenue from their 2019 in-person gala.

Which Creative Virtual Fundraising Idea Will You Use?

One benefit to hosting virtual fundraising events is that you can get wildly creative with the ideas and concepts. You don’t only have to stick to ideas that seem to fit exactly in your cause category either; almost any event can be adapted to fit your mission, work, and impact.

Use this list of virtual fundraising ideas to inspire your next great virtual fundraising event, and feel free to tweak them to fit your specific goals. Don’t forget to download our virtual fundraising events toolkit to ensure you nail your next event.

As you build out your nonprofit’s annual strategy, use these virtual fundraising ideas to create engaging experiences for your donors, grow your audience of supporters, and raise more money. Don’t forget to download our Virtual Events Toolkit to help.

We’ll dive into several ways that a digital platform, like Classy Live, can power your in-person fall event, so you can provide a remarkable attendee experience that keeps donors excited throughout the holiday season.

How Classy Live Brings Fundraising Events to Life

Classy Live enables you to host a virtual, live, or hybrid fundraising event that stands out from the crowd, no matter where your donors are. With a slew of dynamic features that encourage fundraising activity, this robust virtual event venue empowers you to drive meaningful attendee engagement and more revenue for your mission.

While Classy Live has all the thoughtful features to host an exceptional virtual or hybrid event, it can really transform your in-person event into a phenomenal attendee experience. By streamlining your event registration, management, and day-of logistics, your staff and attendees can zero in on event festivities while raising money for your cause.

Take advantage of the following features to make your fall fundraising event one to remember.

8 Tips to Upgrade Your In-Person Fall Fundraising Event

Tip #1: Simplify Your Check-In Process

The simpler your check-in process, the better impression you make on supporters attending your fall event. With Classy Live, you can quickly check attendees in at the door (or outside for those turkey trots) via their name, email, or QR code you send them ahead of time. Our check-in modal also allows you to quickly see the attendee’s table number, check if they have a payment method on file, and text them a link to your auction page.

Tip #2: Streamline Table and Seating Management

As the weather gets colder, indoor events like galas or dinners can be a great way to pull supporters out for a night of dining and fundraising. Your thoughtful table and seating arrangement then become an important part of their event experience.

Classy Live enables you to easily create table and seating assignments ahead of your fall fundraising event. Using a visual display, you can quickly:

• Drag and drop attendees to tables
• Assign or reorder table numbers
• Highlight sponsors or table captains
• Export your final attendee list before the event
• Use automated seating to fill the floor plan
• Shift guests around as needed

Tip #3: Showcase a Digital Display of Fundraising Progress

A display of your fundraising progress at your fall event is a great touch that can motivate your attendees to give, especially during moments you speak about your work, express gratitude, and share what you want to achieve. If you’re hosting a Giving Tuesday or holiday fundraising event, throw this up on a screen behind you as you talk about how the proceeds will impact the people you serve now and into the new year.

Then, you can highlight your overall progress to your goal as a thermometer view or a total fundraising view. You could also hone in on specific fundraising drivers, like text-to-donate, or a specific auction item. In doing so, you show your attendees how much they’ve helped you raise before and throughout the event, coupled with compelling storytelling around the impact of these funds, and encourage more giving throughout the event.

Tip #4: Promote Your Auction Ahead of the Event

Create a beautifully branded, mobile-responsive auction page that empowers your attendees to:

• Bid on silent auction items through their mobile device
• Participate in a digital paddle raise
• Buy fixed-priced items
• See what you plan to auction off live

By sending this page out ahead of the event, you can get your attendees excited to attend.

It’s also a good idea to open your auction a week or two ahead of your event day and encourage attendees to start bidding or watching items. This is a great way to get them to add their credit cards on file ahead of the event, creating a smoother checkout experience.

Tip #5: Manage a Paddle Raise or Direct Appeal With Ease

If you’re directing donations to a fund-a-need initiative at your fall gala or hosting an on-site paddle raise at your harvest house party, don’t break a sweat. Admins can use the “quick add mode” to rapidly record paddle numbers tied to specific commitment amounts. This adds that commitment amount into the respective attendee’s cart, so they can easily pay for that item. Your digital fundraising display will also capture the commitment if you use one to display your progress at your in-person event.

There’s also the option to leave it open-ended, especially if you’re promoting a specific initiative. So instead of asking, “Who can bid $100?” you can ask, “How much would you want to give?” Once an attendee names an amount, you can punch in that custom number, find the bidder, and assign that total to them.

While the in-person paddle raises are very popular to drive direct donations, you can also have a digital paddle-raise item on your auction page where your virtual attendees can add their commitments. Equally great, a hybrid approach can capture commitments from your in-person and digital attendees, maximizing your fundraising opportunity.

Tip #6: Use Text-to-Donate Throughout the Event

No matter the nature of your fall fundraising event, choose several moments throughout your event agenda to call for donations and give attendees the opportunity to text-to-donate. Through Classy Live, you can create a keyword specific to your event and promote it through event materials. Then, while at the event, attendees can text your keyword to the phone number provided and receive a URL to your donation form to quickly make a gift.

Tip #7: Incorporate More Fundraising Opportunities

Raise more for your mission when you make your fall event a Registration with Fundraising campaign. In fact, The State of Modern Philanthropy 2022 report found that events with peer-to-peer fundraising converted* at 47 percent, the highest rate of all campaign types.

*Conversion refers to registrations and donations. 

Consider how you can leverage an event with peer-to-peer fundraising to engage attendees and sponsors. African Community Education (ACE), a Classy customer, did it by partnering with corporations and schools to raise money for its cause and using registration with fundraising to have the schools fundraise on its behalf leading up to the event. Think about how you can engage corporate partners or sponsors to raise money for your organization ahead of your fall event.

Tip #8: Consider Going Hybrid

As nonprofits go back to in-person events, it’s important not to forget about your virtual audiences and extend your geographical reach. With Classy Live, you can always make your fall fundraising event a hybrid one.

Check out some of the ways that you can engage virtual audiences with your in-person event:

• Livestream parts of your in-person event, such as the opening message at your fall gala or final leg of your Thanksgiving 5K, so virtual attendees can share the experience and celebrate alongside you.
• Promote chat and networking functionalities that enable in-person attendees to communicate with virtual attendees. Think virtual friends and family cheering on others during your fall race, participating alongside in-person attendees in your pumpkin carving contest, or teaming up with in-person attendees at your fall trivia night.
• Host virtual breakout rooms during your harvest dinner to encourage more intimate conversations. You can even structure these as virtual tables for your virtual attendees while allowing them to engage with in-person attendees.

Encourage virtual attendees to bid on silent auction items, purchase fixed-price items, and participate in virtual fund-a-need initiatives.

Elevate Your Live Fall Fundraising Event With Classy Live

Kick off the holiday season on the right foot when you make your fall fundraising event one to remember. With these Classy Live features, you can streamline your event logistics, manage your event with ease, and delight your attendees with a memorable experience—all while driving more fundraising revenue for your mission.

To learn more about how Classy Live can enhance your fundraising events, chat with an expert today.

An Overview of Fundraising Campaign Types

We’ll take a look at five different campaign types at your disposal when you use a modern fundraising platform like Classy. These include:

• Donation Pages /Donation Websites
• Crowdfunding
• Peer-to-Peer
• Ticketed Events
• Registration with Fundraising Events

Choosing the right campaign type is vital to your fundraising success. Your decision affects the entire marketing and communications strategy that you’ll use to rally and engage supporters.

For example, the call to action you’d include on a donation form would be along the lines of “make a one-time donation.” For a peer-to-peer campaign, you’d change that to something like “sign up to fundraise on our behalf.” If you want to lean heavily on storytelling through photos and narrative text, or explain the power of different gift amounts through impact blocks, you might lean toward a crowdfunding campaign where people can come to donate.

Below, we’ll explore the different use cases and nuances of each campaign type and provide actual Classy campaigns examples. First, let’s go over how you can determine your nonprofit’s primary focus to help decide which type is right for your first campaign.

The Value of Using Multiple Campaign Types

It’s important to state that it can be highly effective for nonprofits to use multiple campaign types throughout the year to capture new donors and audiences according to how they’d like to give. Our annual report, The State of Modern Philanthropy, outlines how valuable a multi-campaign approach can be to a well-rounded fundraising strategy. 

As you go through the list of campaign type options, think about which combination can help you reach your target donors and raise the funds you need at various milestones throughout the year. You’ll see proof points and sentiment from Classy customers to help you envision your organization’s next successful campaign.

What’s Your Campaign Focus?

To ensure you choose the right Classy campaign type, determine your organization’s focus or top priority. This isn’t the end-all-be-all of your fundraising strategy but rather something to guide your first campaign.

Start by exploring the most immediate need that brought you to use Classy in the first place. For example, you might want to establish your main donation button on your website and build a landing page that serves as a place for someone to donate.

Define specific goals and desired outcomes

Your goal will help you choose the best-fit campaign to get you there. The key is to be as specific as possible. It could also be a good idea to envision the end of the campaign and your desired outcomes. Get clear about the donation volume you’d consider a success, how many donors would participate, the ideal length of your campaign, and how many supporters you want to build relationships with throughout the process for future campaigns.

Once your team agrees on its focus, it becomes much easier to create cohesive messaging that helps supporters understand how they can contribute to your work. Each section below begins with a sample focus statement before exploring the different campaign types and examples from real nonprofits.

Donation Page

“Our nonprofit simply needs to gather donations and build a supporter base.”

A donation page can stand as your landing page. Supporters can arrive, read a short section on your work, and complete their donations. Your nonprofit can link to your donation page from your main website through a donation button. 

From there you can take the following action to get donors to your donation page:

• Include it in your monthly email appeal for donations
• Add a promotion within your newsletters
• Create online ads 
• Develop social media posts
• Write timely blogs
• Include the URL on pieces of direct mail

Flexibility of Donation Pages

With a donation page, you can collect either one-time or recurring donations. You can offer the frequency and the donation amounts listed on the form. Further, you can use pass-through parameters to have a pre-selected donation amount automatically populated when someone lands on the form. 

Offer more choices on your donation pages with modern payment options like Venmo, PayPal, cryptocurrency, digital wallets, and ACH bank transfers. Classy also offers an embedded checkout experience with a pop-up modal that can be placed on your website to simplify the experience for your donors. 

Many Hopes brought an embedded checkout experience to their donation website to see a year-over-year donation volume increase of 56% and a $975 average gift size specifically through the PayPal option.

For example, look at how Casa Central built its donation page to be engaging enough to draw someone in yet still strong enough to stand on its own.

Donation Page Classy Campaign Example

The ROI of Donation Pages

Donation pages powered by the Classy fundraising platform bring in the most average recurring revenue of all campaign types from automated repeat donations. They also have the least amount of canceled recurring contributions in the first year from the original recurring donation compared to all other campaign types.

Crowdfunding

“Our nonprofit needs to gather donations, build a supporter base, and tell our organization’s compelling story in the process.”

A crowdfunding campaign is built for storytelling. With this campaign type, you can inspire support for your cause with a robust narrative that ultimately drives people to donate.

Crowdfunding campaigns are the landing page before someone gets to your donation page. It’s meant to draw people in, teach them about your nonprofit, show the impact their gift will make, and steward them to complete a donation. Nonprofits often use video, rich imagery, and well-written copy to accomplish this.

Crowdfunding’s Value for Community-Based Campaigns

While a crowdfunding campaign works well for story-driven appeals, it’s also ideal for time-bound appeals that fundraise against an optional, public-facing goal. You can’t do this on a donation page. In addition, when you run a crowdfunding campaign that’s bound to a set duration of time, it can create a sense of urgency to donate.

Additionally, when someone donates, you can thank and encourage them in real time on the comment wall of the campaign page. This public-facing engagement opportunity shows supporters that you and your team are grateful for the support.

It also lends an element of social proof to the campaign. With a donation page, you cannot see who’s donated, how many have donated, or gauge any sense of momentum. Here’s a campaign by Water4 that puts all of these best practices to use.

Crowdfunding Classy Campaign Example

Crowdfunding for Recurring Giving

Donation pages can effectively include a recurring giving option, but you can also use a crowdfunding campaign to build a dedicated recurring giving program. The only things that change are the call to action, which shifts the focus from a one-time donation to a monthly recurring donation, and the timeline. Recurring giving programs are often evergreen. Operation Broken Silence built a recurring giving program in this fashion.

Recurring Giving Crowdfunding Classy Campaign Example

The ROI of Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding campaigns have the highest percentage of donors on mobile devices who are visiting from social media platforms. We also see that crowdfunding campaigns are the second most common way a donor returns to give a second donation. 

Peer-to-Peer

“We want to empower people to fundraise on our behalf.”

A peer-to-peer fundraising campaign page may look similar to a crowdfunding campaign, but it has a different call to action. Instead of asking someone to donate, a peer-to-peer campaign instead asks them to sign up to fundraise on your behalf.

Some peer-to-peer campaigns will offer both options and invite supporters to donate or sign up to fundraise. That way, people can still give to your cause even if they don’t want to build a personal fundraising page.

Create a Central Hub for Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Your main campaign page serves as a central hub from which supporters build their personal fundraising pages. Fundraisers will then send out their personal pages to their networks, asking people to donate.

All donations to personal fundraising pages link back to your main campaign page and increase your fundraising progress toward the goal. The true value here lies in that network effect.

As individuals reach out to their friends, families, and coworkers to share their fundraising pages, your nonprofit gets exposed to new audiences that may not have heard about your mission before. Peer-to-peer fundraising can also net your organization higher overall fundraising totals.

That’s because someone who starts a personal fundraising page can often raise more from their network than they can donate out of pocket. Not everyone can donate $100 at once, but many people have 10 friends who can each donate $10. Look at how Volunteers of America built their page.

Peer-to-Peer Classy Campaign Example

Year-Round Peer-to-Peer Campaigns

While most peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns are time-bound, like most crowdfunding campaigns, you always have the option to leave it on year-round. In these cases, you would call it a year-round peer-to-peer campaign.

Beyond that, you can build your peer-to-peer campaign as a DIY fundraising campaign, which lets supporters fundraise on their own terms and time, like Room to Grow did. Someone can donate their birthday, wedding, athletic event, or another major life milestone.

DIY Peer-to-Peer Classy Campaign Example

The ROI of Peer-to-Peer

An individual’s fundraising page brings in 20 donors on average, so your campaign could potentially reach 100 donors if even five people participated. We also saw that the average amount raised by each participant’s fundraising page in 2021 increased by 34% on average from 2020.

Events

“I want to hold an event that activates my entire community of supporters.”

Classy offers two different ways your nonprofit can tap into the power of events. First, you can choose a ticketed event, which allows you to sell tickets to your event—our online ticket sales for nonprofits feature makes this easier than ever. Second, you can choose registration with fundraising, which combines the peer-to-peer fundraising campaign with a ticketed event campaign. With the addition of Classy Live, these events can now be run virtually or enhanced in-person with mobile features.

Ticketed Event

A ticketed event is what you’ll want to choose for any event that you want to sell admission tickets for, like a gala. You can control the total number of tickets you want to sell, as well as the types of tickets you offer supporters.

You can also create special promo codes to pass out and attract additional attendees. Last, you can include a “Donate” call to action so that anyone who can’t attend your event can still make a donation to support like the High Fives Foundation did.

Ticketed Event Classy Campaign Example

Registration with fundraising is similar to the ticketed events campaign type, but it mixes in an element of peer-to-peer fundraising. Often, nonprofits will use this campaign type for endurance events like 5Ks, marathons, and run/walks.

Participants can still pay for admission to the event, but there’s an option for them to create a personal or team fundraising page as well. Some will also use this peer-to-peer functionality as a gate to entry for the event.

Someone must fundraise a certain dollar amount to guarantee their registration in the event. You can use this example from the Sacramento SPCA to inspire your own campaign.

Registration With Fundraising Classy Campaign Example

The ROI of Events

Not only are events seeing tremendous year-over-year donation volume growth after the pandemic years of 2020 through 2021, but registration with fundraising events converted at the highest rate of all campaign types. We also see ticketed events bringing in the highest percentage of donations over $1,000.

What Classy Campaign Type Will You Choose?

No matter which Classy campaign type you choose, it’s helpful to view your campaign as an iterative work-in-progress that can always be improved. One of the biggest keys to success is to have a defined focus before you start that drives a strong first version that can be improved upon later.

When you understand the call to action and are confident in the campaign type you need, you’ve done the hard part. That way, you won’t spend hours designing a page only to realize you’ve chosen the wrong type.

For more ROI related to specific campaign types on Classy, visit The State of Modern Philanthropy report. If you’re interested in learning more about how Classy can power your online fundraising efforts, please reach out to us. Good luck!

People give for various reasons, like supporting others in need, coming together with coworkers, and playing a role in the more significant challenges impacting our world. We saw this more than ever in our annual donor sentiment report, Why America Gives.

Our report proved that word of mouth is still how most donors (67%) find new causes to give. When we looked at how that translates to online communities, we found that social media is the top way Gen Z finds new organizations to donate.

Focusing on your donors’ communities allows your nonprofit to meet donors’ passions for philanthropic action and channel this in ways that unite them with others. We share exactly how to do that.

One Donor Unlocks a Community

What if you looked at a group of people instead of at each individual donor? Instead of targeting a single individual to convert into a donation, nonprofits can see a donor as a community member. Each individual donor has natural connections to vast networks of potential supporters.

Your donors are often employees within a larger organization, members of family units or circles of friends, or active participants in timely social media conversations. Shifting your strategy to attract, convert, and retain these communities that your donors are already a part of can widen your fundraising scope. One way nonprofits bring this approach to life is through the power of peer-to-peer fundraising.

A single individual fundraising page brings in an average of 20 donors. That means if you can secure ten supporters to fundraise on your behalf, you could reach 200 people. Those donors then become part of your community that you can nurture to take further action.

The ideas below help you understand donors’ relationships with their communities and how you can mobilize those groups to take action to support your cause.

4 Ideas to Raise More Through Your Donors’ Communities

1. Promote New Peer-to-Peer Giving Opportunities

A simple yet practical place to begin embracing the power of community is with your loyal donors. It’s never too late to introduce a peer-to-peer fundraising platforms that empowers them to invite their networks to support your cause.

Put the Creativity in Your Loyal Donors’ Hands

Create a DIY peer-to-peer landing page to get started. This allows your donors to build from the template you’ve created to fundraise on your behalf whenever they’d like. Using a DIY model makes it easier for supporters to launch and customize their campaigns to reflect their unique stories or life events. Many donors will fundraise in honor of a big celebration, memorial, or another timely event that they know will resonate with their communities.

Turn Event Participants Into Fundraisers

Adding peer-to-peer fundraising to your events is a simple way to encourage participants to recruit their networks with a timely call to support. Our annual The State of Modern Philanthropy reports showed us that 4 out of 5 donors who gave to an individual fundraising page in 2020 were brand new to the organization. In 2021, individual fundraising pages raised 34% more on average. We also saw that events with a peer-to-peer fundraising element deliver the highest conversion rates through donations and registrations.

Spin Up a Peer-to-Peer Campaign for Timely Donations

Peer-to-peer fundraising is one way to bring people together quickly. We see that play out when news breaks about a current event or a particular community calls for support.

Peer-to-peer campaigns raise 3.8X more on average than all other time-based campaign types. Feeding San Diego tapped into this peer-to-peer model to gather donors during the pandemic. They were able to deliver on the increased demand for hunger relief by raising $5.4 million to replenish food supplies.

2. Create Content Donors Are Excited to Share on Social

Campaigns with a peer-to-peer fundraising element see the most mobile traffic from any other campaign type from social media. Engaging with new communities means being present in both in-person conversations and the ones happening online. In today’s increasingly mobile world, social media has proven its influence in reaching motivated donor audiences.

Go Where Passionate Donors Are Looking

Social media offers nonprofits many options to connect with donors. The key is identifying which platforms are the most effective use of time and resources.

Our recent report, The State of Modern Philanthropy 2022, dove into which social media platforms offer the most significant potential. We found that Facebook is a clear winner when driving the most traffic. LinkedIn also shows the highest potential to convert supporters who are ready to take action.

Take a Stab at Influencer Marketing

Younger generations look beyond friends and family for daily inspiration. Most young people are turning to social media influencers to inform their decisions.

Philanthropic activity is no different. Start engaging influencers to promote your donation opportunities. Provide creative briefs around specific campaigns, or ask them to help with general cause awareness tactics. Providing them with enticing graphics that catch followers’ eyes will make sharing easier and more enjoyable on their end.

3. Connect Employees Through Workplace Giving

We still see that 25% of all professional jobs in North America remain remote through 2022. More remote work means many people may experience the feeling of disconnection from others. Workplace giving could be the perfect solution to engage corporate partners and employees looking for ways to connect with their communities.

Knowing that the “Great Resignation” continued with 4.53 million U.S. workers quitting their jobs in March 2022, think about how you can encourage businesses to incorporate workplace giving into their employee retention strategies.

 Make It Easy for Employers to Bring Your Cause to Work

The power of peer-to-peer fundraising can perfectly tie into workplace giving. Provide existing donors with company team pages to introduce your mission to their coworkers. Make a strong impression with video materials, photos, timely appeals, and suggested donation goals. From there, engage each new participant with updates about the impact of each dollar raised to encourage them to invite even more supporters over time.

Engage Corporate Partners Directly

Engage local businesses for in-person events and volunteer opportunities. The virtual nature of fundraising brings that to the next level by broadening your reach to more communities. Invite corporations who align with your values to a virtual event to unite their employees around a central cause.

We recently highlighted how Children’s Cancer Association engaged 19 companies and their employees. An activity tracking competition resulted in a 30% increase in fundraisers year-over-year.

4. Bring Communities Back Together Around Events

Events are back and bringing communities together in new ways. They’re also getting stronger fundraising results along with them. Ticketed events grew by 49% between 2020 and 2021, more than any other campaign type.

Our Fundraising Event Attendee Experience Report shows that over 92% of virtual and in-person attendees are likely to donate in addition to registration costs. Over 40% of those donations will likely be more than $100.

Use the Appeal of In-Person Connections to Attract Attendees

Inviting people to your in-person event is a way to meet your team and other supporters. Build on your corporate outreach strategy with individuals who feel exhausted from virtual work. Your event might be their opportunity to interact with others.

Think about hosting concerts and galas, or pull from this list of 77 creative event ideas to ensure you’re offering a memorable experience people want to be a part of. Regardless of format, make it your goal to leave attendees feeling compelled to take action. How attendees feel once they leave will determine how likely they are to share your cause with even more community members.

Bring On the Competition to Keep People Motivated

Some people are naturally drawn to competition, especially with friends, family, or co-workers. Think about hosting a sports tournament to attract passionate groups to take part. You could also introduce a fun challenge to see which local businesses can raise the most.

A team fundraising competition doesn’t need to limit participants by athletic ability. In the end, the community always wins, but the fresh spin may be enough to capture passive donors to participate and become aware of your cause.

Build Your Strongest Community of Donors

By now, you’re probably thinking about which idea to start with to get your community fundraising strategy off the ground. Hopefully, you see that it’s simple but impactful when applied alongside your goals for the year.

For more information on the donation trends and insights shaping fundraising, visit our interactive online report, The State of Modern Philanthropy.

If your nonprofit is thinking about hosting a live event, our 2022 Fundraising Event Experience Report has you covered. We pinpoint the specific event elements that motivate donors to attend an event in person, even when they have the option to attend virtually.

Below, we’ll summarize five things your attendees want to see at your in- person events, including examples of how Classy Live helps nonprofits bring these events to life. We gathered these top tips directly from a survey of 1,000 fundraising event attendees who shared their preferences and what drove them to personally attend in-person events.

For additional insights, make sure to check out our 2022 Fundraising Event Attendee Insights Report.

1. Easy Registration and Check-In

Your event fundraising success always starts with registration, which can easily be achieved with the use of Classy’s event registration software for nonprofits. Over 92% of both in-person and virtual fundraising event attendees report that they’re likely to donate during the event in addition to any registration costs. That’s why it’s even more important to give them a strong first impression of your giving experience at registration.

Seamless registration and check-in set the stage in a donor’s mind for an easy giving experience with your organization, which they can take advantage of again later on during the event. One way to provide this experience is to offer donors a variety of online payment processing options. 

In addition to commonly-used methods like credit cards, you may want to support donations through PayPal, Venmo, ACH transfers, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. We recently found new data specific to how different payment options influence conversion on a donation page and overall gift size.

For a successful event, you’ll also want to maintain a simple and streamlined registration form. You can even leverage QR codes at check-in, which have become a common, contactless way to connect with donors and complete registration.

A robust fundraising event platform can support you with registration and check-in through features such as:

• Multiple ticket variations and pricing
• Discount codes
• Simple navigation
• Registration tracking
• Self-checkout

2. Feeling Like Part of a Community

In-person attendees want to feel like they belong at your events. They are more likely to say their experience was excellent when they understand their purpose in the big picture and see opportunities to network with other like-minded attendees. 

We saw that 91% of fundraising event attendees are likely to take further action with a nonprofit after a successful event experience. Consider how you can foster introductions and engagement between attendees, such as organizing meet-and-greets. Your attendees will feel included, involved, and equipped to break through any social awkwardness.

You want to avoid “robotic” promotions. Your attendees will feel more belonging in your community if your marketing is genuine. Send personalized invitations rather than sponsored social media posts. If your goal is to retain consistent volunteers and donors, go the extra mile to make each supporter feel acknowledged and valued. At the end of the day, this is what will encourage supporters to back your mission and fundraising initiatives.

A fundraising event platform can assist in your community-building efforts through features such as:

• Email and text messaging to share updates
• Native and embedded live streaming
• Virtual tables, breakout rooms, and networking
• Polls and chat
• Table and seating management

3. Clear Pre-Event Communication

Registration will likely occur months before your event. This means you’ll need to have a pre-event communication plan to keep your event top of mind for attendees. 

Your email and social media outreach should ensure attendees have easy access to the information they’ll need on the day of your live event. Avoid attendees needing to search through their inboxes for their tickets or other key information about your event when they show up.

Your pre-event communications will vary slightly depending on your physical event’s size, activities, and requirements, but generally, a high-level pre-event communications plan should include common touchpoints.

Event Communication Touchpoints

• Announce the event: Tease your event before registration opens to excite supporters. Share details of what to expect and let them know you’ll be announcing more soon.
• Open registration: Remind supporters when registration opens, along with any deadlines for registration, including if there are price increases closer to the event.
• Confirm registration: Each supporter who registers for your event should get an email confirming their registration with a receipt, digital tickets, and basic event information.
• One-week follow-up: Keep your attendees excited and motivated to invite their friends with a follow-up email one week after they register with new event details.
• Event updates, as available: As you confirm speakers, auction items, or other event activities, keep your attendees engaged by sending out updates with that information.
• Week-before email: A week before your event, send a reminder with pertinent information, such as parking, health and safety protocols, tickets, and check-in times.
• Day-of email: On event day, send a reminder saying how excited you are to see your attendees soon. Re-attach their tickets so they’re at the top of their inbox for check-in.

4. Thoughtful Safety Precautions

The 2022 Fundraising Event Experience Report found that two drivers of poor in-person attendee experiences are too many pandemic-related requirements and feeling that organizations did not handle pandemic safety measures correctly.

People have different needs and comfort levels within the changing landscape of the pandemic.¹ It’s important to honor the individual needs of your community, including those who might be immunocompromised and need to continue to practice stricter protocols for their health and safety.

The best way to do this is to offer hybrid events, where attendees have the option to attend in-person or from the comfort of their own homes. Hybrid events come with many benefits, including increasing your overall attendance since people can join even if they’re not local. 

Additionally, suppose you need to pivot to completely virtual events due to changing COVID-19 caseloads in your community. In that case, this is much easier to do if you’re already using a hybrid fundraising model.

Some nonprofits have even experienced greater fundraising success by using fundraising event platforms to host hybrid events. This was the case for the nonprofit African Community Education (ACE), which leveraged Classy Live for their 2021 hybrid gala event. 

They saw a 203% growth in revenue for their 2021 hybrid event compared to their 2020 virtual event. This growth was even larger when comparing their 2021 hybrid event to their last in-person event in 2019. 

This is why your nonprofit should offer a virtual fundraising option. While in-person events have many benefits, continuing to raise money virtually will only increase donor awareness and engagement, while helping you reach your fundraising goals.

5. Value-Added Events That Make an Impact

Events without a clear purpose make it hard for attendees to feel connected to your event. Organize events that provide clear value for your attendees through entertainment, connection, or otherwise.

The 2022 Fundraising Event Experience Report found that the top preferred event types for in-person attendees included:

• Endurance events (43%)
• Performances (38%)
• Auctions (36%)
• Galas (36%)
• Competitions (29%)

From the example above, ACE included music performances, a student fashion show, and keynote speakers in their hybrid fundraising event to provide value for their attendees. Each of these event elements was professionally live–streamed, so everyone could benefit from the entertainment.

The high interest in endurance events also increases interest in and enjoyment of outdoor activities, spurred by the pandemic. Organizing runs, walks, or even performances outdoors provides an appealing opportunity for your supporters to gather and a clear reason for doing so.

As you organize your future events, you’ll also want to consider how you can tell your nonprofit’s story through the event’s activities to remind attendees of the impact they’re making by showing up. For example, ACE’s music and fashion show showcased the culture of the people the nonprofit serves.

Fundraising event platforms can assist in adding value to and increasing engagement with your events through features such as:

• Live leaderboards and campaign progress
• Auctions, paddle raises, and mobile bidding
• Donation notifications
• Text-to-donate

Organize an In-Person Fundraising Event Attendees Will Love

More supporters are feeling comfortable returning to in-person events rather than relying solely on virtual events. By following the data on what in-person event attendees say they enjoy about their event experiences, nonprofits can create opportunities donors are excited to support.

Join us at the 2023 Collaborative for a first-hand look at an in-person event experience built just for nonprofits to grow their fundraising strategies.

Will you join nearly 1,000 professionals, practitioners, and fundraising experts already registered to attend online from June 15 to 16?

Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The Collaborative: Virtual Sessions promises insights, strategies, and inspiration for anyone who attends. 

The virtual space will host timely conversations around fundraising best practices, technology trends like NFT fundraising, and sessions that inspire you from leaders across the sector.

If you:

• Want a way to accelerate your organization’s impact from home
• Can’t wait to experience Classy’s brand new events platform first-hand
• Get excited about our virtual-only speaker lineup
• Need some fresh perspectives and networking with other practitioners

The Collaborative: Virtual Sessions is the right conference for you.

The Brand New Virtual Venue 

You’re getting a first-hand look at Classy Live, the online event platform used to host this year’s Collaborative: Virtual Sessions. This is the same experience supporters have enjoyed through so many fundraising events hosted on the platform since its launch in October of 2021.

Here’s what’s new this year:

• Thoughtful networking through a brand new speed networking tool with suggested attendee matches based on commonalities and interests,
• Integrated polls and chat opportunities alongside the screen you’ll view sessions from to bring the experience to a single tab

The 2-Day Collaborative Experience at a Glance

Wednesday, June 15

Get ready for the exciting, first-day energy of an online conference experience. Explore the virtual event venue to learn more about who’s attending and interact with fresh fundraising resources as you log in.  

Build connections as you plan out the day’s sessions. Let our speakers and fellow attendees inspire you to have open conversations in our speed networking tool.

Grow Your Fundraising Expertise With Sessions Including:

Leading the Way and Lifting While We Climb

Keynote Speaker:  Ivy McGregor, Impact Leader, Author, and BeyGOOD Executive Director

Thursday, June 16

Bring new thoughts inspired by Wednesday’s sessions to discuss as you strengthen connections during the day’s speed networking opportunities. Exchange information with everyone you’ve met along the way to continue your relationships well after the event ends. 

Bring Home the Experience With Sessions Including:

Elevating the Impact of Your Fundraising Emails

Speaker: Joel Schwartzberg, Author and Presentation Coach

Feel the Impact From Past Virtual Attendees

We could explain every reason to attend the Collaborative this year, but hearing it from the organizations who attended last year is that much more impactful:

Until the Event, Keep Up With Us on Social

We’ve got all the updates you’ll need after registering on our Collaborative social media channels. Follow us on Twitter @ConnectAtCollab and become a part of the conversations with #wearecollaborative.

The goal of any nonprofit fundraising event is maximizing donations while minimizing expenses. That way, more money goes directly towards your mission instead of covering overhead costs.

Knowing that the average nonprofit donation is $128, think about how much your organization could raise through a successful community event. Those small gifts can add up to make a major impact.

There’s certainly still a need for larger events on your annual calendar, but supplementing large-scale efforts with easier, cheaper options is a great way to sustain a steady flow of donations all year.

To help you get started, here are 14 cheap and easy fundraising ideas to consider. Pitch some of these creative ideas to your team to determine which ones work best for you.

Incorporate These Ideas Into Your Events With Ease

1. Donation Jars

In the age of cryptocurrency and digital wallets, we often forget about cash as a quick donation option. People are always looking for ways to unload clunky coins from their purses and pockets, so you might as well offer them the opportunity to give back in the process.

These hard currency donations might be small, but they can add up quickly. Encourage people to donate by placing physical donation jars around your community. Talk to local businesses like restaurants, grocery stores, banks, or dry cleaners about leaving a donation jar near their register.

Clearly label each jar with your organization’s logo and mission statement. Train the employees of these businesses on how to speak to the public about your cause. Help them answer any potential questions about your mission and educate them on ways to encourage customers to give.

2. Community Yard Sale

Stuck at home during the pandemic, many people cleared out their attics and closets of unwanted items. Nonprofits like Goodwill were overwhelmed by an influx of donations.

Take advantage of this purging frenzy by organizing a community yard sale. Find a large space, like a park, gym, or community center, to host the event. Invite friends, family, and donors looking to unload their unwanted goods, and encourage them to spread the word to their extended networks.

Sellers can donate a flat rate to your nonprofit for a spot to sell their items, or you could ask for a portion of the money they earn. Your biggest task is to drum up interest from potential shoppers. After all, the success of this event depends on the turnout.

Promote your upcoming yard sale through all relevant marketing channels. Send a localized email campaign to supporters close enough to attend, as well as targeted social media ads focused on a specific geographic area. Even printed materials, like flyers or posters, can help raise awareness.

3. 50/50 Raffle

Over the years, 50/50 raffles have become popular because they give half of the proceeds back to your cause while passing along the other half to a lucky winner.

The only things you’ll need for this cheap and easy fundraising event are a large supply of raffle tickets and a captive audience. Sporting events or school pep rallies work well to host these raffles. Simply recruit a team of volunteers to circulate and sell tickets for a set amount, and provide updates on the prize pool throughout the evening to pique interest.

Toward the end of the gathering, divide the ticket profits into two equal parts and select a random winner to take home half of the money. There are even options for hosting a virtual or hybrid raffle if that’s more accessible to your audience.

Whichever environment you choose for your event, remember to review the rules for nonprofit raffles. Make sure to abide by these laws and pay the appropriate taxes on certain cash prizes.

4. Bake Sale

There’s a reason why reality TV shows like The Great British Baking Show are so popular. People love baked goods, especially when they’re homemade. Your nonprofit can ride this wave of popularity by hosting a bake sale fundraiser.

The most important element of a successful bake sale is recruiting volunteer bakers to make cakes, pies, muffins, and other delicious treats to sell. Then, secure a high-traffic venue to host the event and attract potential (and hungry) buyers.

Even better, coordinate the sale with an event that already draws a crowd, like a farmers market, sporting event, festival, or concert. Ask if you can set up a table or small concession stand to sell your items, then let the smell of freshly baked cookies do the work.

5. Concession Stand

While we’re on the subject of food, we can’t forget about running a concession stand at the next local sporting event. With enough volunteers and tasty snacks, these stands can bring in hundreds of dollars in a single evening.

If you’re interested, reach out to your local high school, college, or professional sports teams. See if they‘d offer your nonprofit the opportunity to run a concession stand at one of their venues, or split the proceeds with your organization if they prefer.

Recruit a team of volunteers to work shifts at the concession stand, and encourage your supporters to attend the game with big appetites. This is a great way to stay involved in the community and meet supporters face to face in a relaxed environment.

6. Car Wash

Washing cars is a common way to raise money for high school sports teams, bands, and clubs. They’re not only extremely simple to organize, but also offer a way for donors to check this pesky chore off of their to-do lists.

To organize an effective car wash, your organization needs an open space, like a parking lot or gas station, plenty of washing materials, and a group of willing volunteers.

Attract the most drivers with clear signage and an easily-accessible location. Set a flat price for the service, or simply ask for donations as customers arrive. Just be sure to mark a clear donation box or bin where donors can leave donations on their way out. This is important since most of these gifts will likely be physical cash or personal checks.

Although a car wash is extremely cheap and easy to organize, it’ll end up being a massive flop if no one shows. Don’t forget to promote ahead of time through your organization’s website, social media channels, and email. Get your volunteers to share news by word of mouth, too.

7. Team Trivia Night

Trivia question: What is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States?

Answer: According to Forbes, it’s the United Way, which brought in more than $5.1 billion in 2021.

Who doesn’t love a good game of trivia? Or even better, a trivia tournament to raise money for your charity.

Work with a local restaurant or bar to host the event. Get a volunteer to emcee with a list of brain-teasers, or reach out to a local personality who supports your cause. Teams can pay a set amount to enter the competition, or the restaurant could give back a portion of the revenue they make from food and drinks throughout the evening.

You could even give a portion of the funds to the winning team as an incentive. But win or lose, trivia nights are always a great way to bring people together for some old-fashioned fun.

8. Sports Tournament

If a trivia tournament isn’t your style, host an athletic competition instead. This could be a tournament of flag football, ultimate frisbee, softball, kickball, basketball, or a mix of different sports.

First, you’ll need a venue to host the competition. Starting your search with a public park or community center could help save money on rentals. If that doesn’t work, reach out to local schools or churches to see if they’d let you use their space for a few hours. Your volunteers can serve as referees—just be sure to get them whistles and striped shirts.

Provide clear rules for gameplay upfront. Determine how many teams can participate and organize them into a bracket to decide who plays who. Depending on the sport, you may need to have medical services on standby in case of athletic injuries.

Collect an entry fee from each team to participate. Sell tickets to spectators as a way to generate additional revenue, and consider selling merchandise, food, or beverages in exchange for donations. You could even secure a corporate sponsor if you wanted to go the extra mile and create custom swag for all competitors with your sponsor’s logo.

9. Giving Holidays

There are several built-in fundraising dates across the calendar, with the most obvious example being Giving Tuesday. However, there are quite a few other holidays your organization can leverage depending on your cause.

Holidays are effective opportunities to raise money because they create organic opportunities for connection. You can even tap into holidays that aren’t traditionally known for fundraising, like Valentine’s Day or Halloween. Costume parties or donation drives are great ideas to maximize these special days.

Find ways your nonprofit can leverage specific holidays or cause awareness days to engage wider audiences and keep donors engaged all year. The more direct the connection is to your cause, the easier it is for people to understand the impact of their gift.

10. Happy Hour

One of the largest perks of joining a nonprofit community is the opportunity to meet and spend time with like-minded people. That’s the reason why traditional fundraisers like golf tournaments or galas are so successful. They’re not only fun, but also give donors the opportunity to spend time together.

However, you don’t need a huge budget to bring people together. Host a happy hour at a local restaurant or pub to help people relax and unwind after a busy day. This also offers an opportunity for professionals to network with one another in a low-pressure environment.

Consider setting a theme for your event, like Taco Tuesday or TGI Friday—anything involving food and drinks. It doesn’t need to directly relate to your nonprofit, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

Ask the managers of your happy hour venue to donate a percentage of their sales back to your cause, or give attendees a discount during your event. Keep in mind, you don’t need to serve alcohol for the event to be effective, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

11. Social Media Challenge

If the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge taught us anything, it’s that social media can be an extremely impactful tool for boosting cause awareness.

Invite supporters to participate in a creative challenge to raise money for your cause, then share their experience on social media to garner interest. The Ice Bucket Challenge took off because it included a clear action that caught donors’ attention—dump freezing cold water on your head in an effort to raise awareness for ALS.

You can be as simple or creative as you’d like in crafting your challenge. It could be as straightforward as doing 20 jumping jacks, volunteering for an afternoon, or taking a photo of yourself doing a kind deed.

Keep in mind, the ultimate goal is to get participants and supporters to donate to your cause. Encourage participants to include links to your donation page with each social media post to drive conversions.

12. Talent Show

Plenty of popular reality TV shows, from American Idol to Dancing With the Stars, focus on people’s talents (or lack thereof). Your nonprofit can cash in on that popularity by hosting a talent show of your own.

Solicit local talent—anything from singers, jugglers, magicians, or ventriloquists—to perform in your show. Pick a volunteer or staff member to emcee the event and help create seamless transitions from one act to the next.

Grab three or four of your board members to act as judges. They can crown an ultimate winner after all of the entries have performed, or leave it up to the audience to determine the best act. The show’s winner could be awarded with some of your best swag, or a set of free tickets to your next event.

Sell tickets to an adoring public or ask for donations as spectators arrive. They’ll not only get to see entertaining acts, but also know that they’re supporting a worthy cause in the process.

13. Open Mic Night

If you liked the last two ideas, combine them together by hosting an open mic night for your nonprofit community. Mix happy hour with a talent show to give attendees a memorable night of stand-up comedy, singing, or a combination of the two.

Like a talent show, you’ll need to secure a venue, emcee, talented performers, and a paying crowd. Your open mic night will likely also involve food and drinks, so be sure to plan ahead by getting a rough headcount of attendees.

Identify what type of crowd you’re attracting so your performers know what to prepare for their acts. Determine upfront if you want a family-friendly environment or more of an adults-only evening.

14. Gaming Marathon

Video games are a big business, providing people with the opportunity to engage with a like-minded community and potentially even give back to worthy causes.

Gaming marathons can attract mass audiences and raise awareness for your organization. In fact, nonprofits like Games Done Quick and Extra Life are built completely around this idea.

Recruit a few gamers to stream themselves online while people watch, cheer them on, and potentially donate a certain amount for every hour they play—similar to pay-per-mile races.

The biggest challenge here is forming relationships with well-known gamers who would be interested in participating. If you can’t secure a gaming celebrity or influencer, look within your own staff, community of supporters, or volunteers for others who could be a good fit.

Use a platform like Twitch or YouTube Live to broadcast the video game streams. Share information about your nonprofit with each gamer to discuss as they broadcast, and encourage them to put the direct donation link in the chat box while they play to encourage additional gifts.

Fundraising Made Quick and Easy

The common link between all of these cheap and easy fundraising ideas is that they bring people together to have fun and support a good cause.

Every season presents new opportunities to fundraise for your nonprofit, whether that’s the spring, summer, fall, or winter. Luckily, these inexpensive events can be pulled off nearly any time of year without breaking the budget.

For even more great ideas, take a look at our article, 77 Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits and Charities. 

Collaborative, hosted by Classy, is a live conference designed exclusively for the nonprofit sector. This annual event encourages collaboration among the brightest thinkers and doers across the industry as a space for meaningful connections. 

We’d love to have you join us in our first year back in person. From June 15 to 16, 2022, Collaborative is taking on Philadelphia for two days of learning, relationship-building, and inspiration to grow your organization’s impact.

We’re Going to Philly!

This year, those who want to be fully immersed in Collaborative will have access to dozens of live sessions, hands-on workshops, and the unique experience of developing extensive partnerships with the sector’s top experts and practitioners. 

Whether you’re a fundraising and marketing professional, an executive, or a social entrepreneur, you’ll walk away with tangible tips to grow your organization and generate meaningful impact in an ever-evolving social space.

We know it takes time to decide on attending an in-person event, so we’ve elevated our top 10 reasons to attend Collaborative 2022 here for you.

10 Reasons to Attend the Collaborative

1. We’re Bringing You the Full Philadelphia Experience

After two years of an entirely virtual Collaborative experience, we couldn’t be more excited to safely come together in Philadelphia. Philly brings together the creativity and inspiration upon which we build Collaborative every year. We are ready to step out of the day-to-day, build meaningful connections, and gain a renewed sense of inspiration.

Here’s a taste of what Philly and Collaborative have to offer:

Hospitality: Book a room at the Element Philadelphia, located in Center City, within walking distance of the city’s best sightseeing spots, restaurants, and bars from the hotel. You’ll also receive our exclusive discount if you book through this link!

Welcome Party: Join us for cocktails, networking, and one of Philly’s most unique nightlife experiences at Rec & Royal where you can embrace the Cadillac DJ booth, private karaoke rooms, a seltzer vending machine, throwback arcade games, and a dedicated 90’s room.

History: Spend your free time exploring historic sights like the Liberty Bell or Philadelphia Museum of Art and soaking in the inspiration that generations before us left among the streets of Philadelphia.

Dining: Try new food experiences from one of many amazing merchants at Reading Terminal Market among many other niche restaurants in the city. Don’t forget to pick up a Philadelphia classic, the cheesesteak.

Send Off in Style: Wrap up the event at our closing party performance of Philly’s favorite brass band, Snacktime. Check out the energy they bring to any room with this sampling:

2. You’ll Get Face Time With the Social Sector’s Top Leaders

Classy is dedicated to providing the content you want to learn about. We listen to our attendees’ wants and concerns and present thoughtful commentary on the nonprofit industry’s most pressing topics. 

This knowledge and feedback help us curate a program full of industry experts who are eager to share their insights and ideas on the current and future landscape of the sector. The best part about joining us in person is that you can connect with these leaders between sessions in a more intimate and meaningful way.

Check out some of our in-person speakers:

Deesha Dyer,

Award-Winning Strategist & Community Organizer; Former White House Social Secretary

Woodrow Rosenbaum

Chief Data Officer at Giving Tuesday

Trovon C. Williams

Senior Vice President Marketing & Communications at NAACP

Dana Snyder

CEO & Founder of Positive Equation

3. You’ll Get Double the Content

When you join us live, you’ll not only be fully present to learn directly from esteemed presenters, but you’ll also gain so much more from the natural commentary that takes place throughout the venue.

Our goal is to ensure you leave sessions feeling empowered and equipped with strategies to tackle the complex landscape we’ve come to experience today. Plus, as an in-person attendee, you receive double the content with post-event access to exclusive, online-only content from the Collaborative: Virtual Sessions to continue your learning journey. 

Check out some of the sessions we’re offering in-person:

• Merging with the Metaverse
• Forget What You Knew About Bringing Major Gifts Online
• Go Viral: Seize Your Moment to Shine
• Unlocking Your Full Potential Through Unrestricted Fundraising

4. You Can Attend Hands-On Workshops to Boost Your Professional Development

You will have the opportunity to take part in workshops, brainstorm with like-minded peers, and participate in post-panel working sessions with speakers. Collaboration is in our name and we are thrilled to bring the industry experts to you. You’ll take part in interactive and hands-on sessions that equip you with tools you can implement immediately.

Here are just a few of the workshops you can take part in:

• Social Media Ad Strategies for Your Nonprofit
• Create a Standout Visual Campaign That Tells Your Story
• Collaborative In-Practice

5. Classy Customers Will  Experience the First Classy Academy User Conference

If you’re currently using the Classy giving platform, you’re invited to take part in a bonus day on Tuesday, June 14, for our first-ever Classy Academy User Conference.

Customers will take a deep dive into the Classy product with Classy Academy coaches, gain insights on fundraising best practices, and learn how to take advantage of all of Classy’s product features to exceed online fundraising goals.

Come with your top questions and goals, and you’ll walk away with an actionable plan to implement right away.

6. Build Meaningful Connections

The Collaborative was built on the belief that growth happens when we connect, support, and inspire each other. 

When you attend in person, you’ll be face-to-face with hundreds of nonprofit professionals, experts in the sector, and the Classy community once again. Plus, you’ll be invited to connect with fellow attendees and have a little fun at our Wednesday night Welcome Party and Closing Celebration on Thursday.

We’ve set the stage for idea exchanges and free-flowing conversations that will leave anyone feeling more inspired as they return home.

7. There’s a Discount for Bringing Your Team

In-person conferences are important settings for learning and professional development, so we want to make it possible for your whole team to attend. Teams of three or more will automatically receive $50 off tickets at checkout. 

All in-person ticket-holders will also have access to the virtual content following the event to share with team members who can’t travel to Philadelphia.

8. You Can Earn Continuing Education Points

The Collaborative is an approved Continuing Education Provider for the Certified Fund Raising Executive program. 

By participating in our in-person event, you’ll be eligible to earn points towards initial certification and/or recertification that shows your accountability, service, and commitment to making a difference for good.

9. You’ll Learn About Leading Services and Resources to Advance Your Mission

The Collaborative connects professionals to each other and to services that will benefit and increase their impact. You’ll learn more about resources you can leverage to help advance your mission and gain access to key partners who can help you troubleshoot your organization’s specific challenges. 

You will have the opportunity to ask questions in person about what resources may benefit your organization and what’s working well for others.

10. We Want to Meet (or Reunite!) With You

Our team at Classy is growing and there’s nothing like meeting face-to-face with you, the people who make an impact day in and out across the sector. 

We want to hear what you’re up to, the challenges you’re facing, and bond over personal connections we’re sure to make. We’ll be on the ground excited to chat over coffee, meals, and in the hallways between sessions.

So, Will You Be a Part of Collaborative 2022?

The future of the social sector is evolving quicker than ever. At the Collaborative, we come together to learn how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the sector and have timely conversations that empower us to accelerate our impact.

While joining the event in person is the full experience, we also offer those who choose to attend from home the option to access content and valuable online sessions as part of our virtual attendance option. 

However you join, Collaborative 2022 will be one you won’t want to miss. See you there!

Join the conversation leading up to the event by following #wearecollaborative on Instagram and Twitter.

When you think about fundraising events like the ice bucket challenge, 100-mile runs, or your CEO taking pies to the face at your office holiday party, do you wonder what motivates these individuals to go to such extreme lengths to show their support?

The Martyrdom Effect suggests that the prospect of pain and effort increases charitable giving. In today’s virtual and hybrid fundraising landscape, there are countless opportunities to apply and reinvent this concept in a way that excites both new and existing donors to strengthen their connection to your cause.

Tap into gamified fundraising technology to create more fun, inclusive experiences that bring out the competitive nature in your supporters. Below we’ll explore the concepts of activity tracking and fundraising gamification as they relate to your organization, and discover how Classy’s new integration with Kilter, the most inclusive activity-based engagement platform for good, can help reach wider audiences, boost engagement, and increase fundraising potential.

Re-Energize Your Community With Fundraising Diversification

Kilter platform data shows that campaigns with gamified fundraising opportunities raise 3X more than traditional online fundraising campaigns.

There are plenty of ways to gamify the online fundraising experience. Live stream fundraising on platforms like Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Live is a great way to connect with a younger audience. Classy Live is another option for intimate virtual or hybrid events. The platform’s robust venue simplifies the attendee and admin experience with activity tracking, virtual breakout rooms, mobile bidding, merchandise sales, and more. 

Fundraising diversification is critical to sustaining long-term relationships with new and existing supporters and retaining the support of committed sponsors. Gamification offers a simple way for organizations to refresh their campaigns and re-energize their nonprofit communities. 

4 Ways to Leverage Activity Tracking at Your Nonprofit

When you think of activity tracking, your mind likely goes straight to running, walking, or biking. That’s definitely part of the equation, but it is just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are four simple thought starters surrounding activity tracking to get your creative juices flowing. Determine which events make the most sense for your audience, and learn how to capitalize on each opportunity to fuel your mission. For more specific ideas, read 22 ideas for activity-based fundraising in 2022.

1. Marathon & Endurance Teams, Walk/Runs/Rides – This is really a no-brainer. If you have teams in marathons or triathlons, host your own walks/runs/rides, or have supporters doing their own races, you should always provide a way for this community to track their activity. Doing so will create the element of competition and give people a way to include their friends and family in their efforts. In addition, you will open up doors for more revenue through corporate sponsorships, gain the ability to send information directly to your supporters through push notifications, and ultimately acquire more donor data. 

Pro Tip

Consider participating in Kilter’s trademarked series of events called Miles For Meaning to access more opportunities to keep your endurance community engaged throughout the year.

2. All-Inclusive Activity-Tracking Events – Offering events where everyone can participate no matter their age, location, or how they like to “donate their hustle” is one of the best ways to engage and grow your community. Expand your view of activity tracking to include meditation, healthy meal prep, volunteering, reading, gardening, and so much more. Turn your supporters’ everyday health, wellness, or lifestyle activities into meaningful moments that drive impact.

3. Activity-Specific Events – Consider building an event with a community goal based on a particular activity your audience enjoys, like reading, playing pickleball, or packaging meals for your local food bank. Encourage your supporters to come together to collaborate, compete, and take fundraising potential to new heights. One example of this could be setting a community goal to log 250,000 reading minutes from June to August. As participants track their progress, the total reading minutes will display on an interactive leaderboard. For every 10 minutes logged, event sponsors are pledging $1 up to $100,000.

4. Corporate & Employee Engagement Events – You might be hearing from your corporate partners that they want more opportunities to engage their employees in their efforts to support you. This partnership is not only good for their bottom line, but also gives you the chance to collect more donor data and offer additional opportunities for people to give. Give them what they want by providing gamified online experiences that are inclusive for all employees and increase corporate giving potential. For example, one partner set up a one-week “Miles For Meals” challenge and donated $20 per mile their employees logged up to $10,000. They also incorporated company swag and merchandise to give away based on the miles logged by employees.

5 Must-Haves for Your Activity-Tracking Event

Now that you have some ideas, making it a truly gamified experience is the fun part. Here are five components to include in your next event to cultivate, engage, educate, and drive higher fundraising potential.

Leaderboards: Fundraiser leaderboards are the centerpiece of engagement that continually drive people back to the event page throughout the course of your campaign. Utilize leaderboards in your next competition for people to keep track of their own score or fundraising progress in comparison to others in your community. If you have team-based events, participants can easily keep tabs on their team score and fundraising totals versus all other groups pursuing that top spot. 

Real-Time Matching Donations: Your corporate sponsors and individual donors want to maximize the impact of their contributions. Allow your supporters to unlock real-time donation matching when they hit certain fundraising milestones or achieve particular activity goals. 

Incentives and Prizes: No matter which event type you choose, your supporters will always be motivated by cool stuff they can win. In addition to traditional fundraising incentives, bake in more ways for people to earn swag and win prizes based on their activities and where they stand on the leaderboard.

Push Notifications & In-App Content: Take advantage of customizable push notifications to send messages directly to your community. Share impact statements, educate your community on your mission, promote sponsor messages, and recognize all of the people putting in work.

Mobile Fundraising Experience: Simplify your gamified fundraising event with an activity-tracking experience that integrates with your current fundraising solution. The Kilter + Classy integration allows nonprofits to keep their fundraising experience on Classy while using Kilter to offer activity tracking events that engage larger audiences. Kilter’s mobile app makes it easier for fundraisers to share their Classy fundraising pages with their extended networks and keep tabs on their progress with the in-app leaderboards.

A current Classy customer shares why integrated activity-tracking experiences are critical to their goals:

Nonprofits using Kilter to incorporate activity-tracking events into their annual strategies have seen an 11X return on investment, 10-20% new supporters, and 3X higher fundraising per engaged participant using both the fundraising and activity-tracking tools.

Bring Your Integrated Activity-Tracking Event to Life on Classy

Take advantage of today’s turn-key tools and technology to create a simpler gamified fundraising experience. Leveraging these tools, like Classy’s integration with Kilter, will help you reach more people, bolster engagement, and diversify your revenue streams while simultaneously avoiding the headaches associated with costly and time-consuming event planning.