Vaccine news continues to be better than many people realize and organizations are looking to put on hybrid events with both in-person and virtual options in 2021. However, many nonprofits are looking for easy and low overhead fundraising ideas that require minimal planning to bridge the gap to putting on in-person and hybrid fundraising events.
Here are ten of the top virtual fundraising event ideas that GiveSignup customers have come up with to raise money now.
Taste the Town
Housing Forward partnered with a dozen local restaurants to put together the ultimate takeout bag – check out their delicious menu here! They use ticket groups with caps to set up pick up times for meals. Integrated and standalone donations helped raise more than 100% of their initial donation goal of $2,000.
Strong Leaders. Strong Communities.
Orkeeswa School, a community-based nonprofit that operates a secondary school outside of Arusha, Tanzania (where Allison worked in 2011!) hosted a Zoom event. They combined video, updates from teachers and the nonprofit’s executive team, and breakouts with students. It reminded supporters of the amazing work the school does, and the evening ended with a call to action – raise $75,000 in 15 minutes. Attendees could donate via GiveSignup or Venmo. The event raised an incredible $149,000 – doubling their goal!
Lunar New Year Celebration
Orion School is hosting a virtual Lunar New Year celebration. All events – dumpling making class, lion dance performance, and crafts – are free with a $25 suggested donation as well as the option to buy ingredients for dumplings in the ticket purchase path.
Walk, Run, or Golf Challenge
The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation is hosting a free virtual challenge where participants can choose to run, walk, or swing to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. There are many ways for participants to engage, with options to fundraise, join a team, and log results with live leaderboards, milestones, and photos. The challenge ends in March with a virtual closing celebration.
A Virtual Charcuterie Experience
Buena Vista Regional Healthcare Foundation is holding a virtual event where participants learn how to create a charcuterie board. There is a free option with a Zoom link only and a paid ticket option that includes a charcuterie kit and board.
Go Virtual – 5K
We hear a lot about virtual fatigue but nonprofits should still go virtual for their annual run/walk/ride events. Your constituents still want to support your mission. Check out the IRIS Run for Refugees virtual 5k that has already raised more than $75,000 this year. It’s easy and free to set up your virtual run, walk, or ride – visit our Go Virtual hub to learn more.
Guessing Games
How many pieces of candy are in this jar? is an example of a fun and easy guessing game you can play with supporters. You can easily set this up by creating a ticket event and allow attendees to guess the number of pieces with ticket questions. Check out this website for a guessing game that 4 Words Foundation hosted last year.
Bake Sales
Instead of having people gather to purchase items from your bake sales, ask supporters to pre-order their treats like The Collective for Hope is doing for their Valentine’s Day Bake Sale. GiveSignup’s ticket platform makes it easy for people to pick their treats and select a time for pick up or delivery. And your nonprofit can raise even more money with a soft ask for donations!
A Walk in the Parks
The Charleston Parks Conservancy held a month long challenge to walk 26 miles through 20 parks in 28 days. Participants were able to get their steps (or any other type of activity!) in anywhere and learn about each park through milestone notifications. Tying your virtual event to your mission and providing an opportunity for people to learn more about your organization’s work is a powerful way to engage supporters.
Donation and Fundraising Campaigns
You don’t always need to host an event to raise money. I Got Legs is a nonprofit that creates opportunity for people with physical challenges. Using GiveSignup’s free donation websites and fundraising campaigns, they can quickly and easily create campaigns to raise money for targeted needs – like a mobility van or standing wheelchair.
It’s easy and free to set up your nonprofit events and campaigns. Visit GiveSignup.org to get started free today.