[Guest Post] 6 Classes Realized by Attending Digital Fundraising Occasions

On a current name, I heard an idea that actually impressed me. Amanda Herlihy is the Director of Growth
South Carolina Governor’s Faculty for the Arts & Humanities Basis. She knew that she was going to must shift her fundraising occasions to a digital format. So along with studying about digital occasions and taking course, she truly attended digital occasions! Lot of them. I requested her if she’d share her observations. Happily for us, she did!

6 Issues I’ve Realized from Attending A number of Digital Fundraising Occasions

by Amanda Herlihy

Director of Growth, South Carolina Governor’s Faculty for the Arts & Humanities Basis

I’ve labored for a lot of arts nonprofits through the years and the one factor all of them have in widespread is a love for fundraising occasions. It’s a pure promoting level for donors to attend an occasion that includes a efficiency, a film screening, or a dinner with a star. It’s glitz, it’s glamour, it’s enjoyable, and it helps an excellent trigger. However let me let you know, fundraising occasions are laborious! They had been laborious for any group earlier than this pandemic, and they’re much more tough now.

In preparation for planning fundraising occasions for subsequent yr, I’ve attended upwards of 10 digital fundraising occasions all throughout the nation. From New York; to Minnesota, Pennsylvania to Missouri. I’ve additionally listened to podcasts, watched movies of digital gala evaluations, learn security and reopening tips, learn blogs and discussion board threads, interviewed colleagues, and have spoken to donors on the nonprofit the place I work.

I’m certain you assume I’ve gone overboard- and perhaps I’ve- however our world is quickly altering and with the intention to thrive, we should adapt. If nonprofits can’t discover new, modern methods to boost cash and host occasions, the folks we serve would be the ones who lose. To me, that isn’t an choice.

In no specific order, listed here are some takeaways from my digital occasion analysis.

• Discuss what you do!

  Severely, make this the very first thing you do at your digital occasion. You’ll not consider what number of organizations didn’t point out what their mission is or who they assist throughout the first jiffy of their occasion. How are you going to tug at a donor’s heartstrings in the event that they don’t even know what you do? Inform them about your mission and people you serve, not as soon as, not twice, however all through the whole occasion.

  In addition to describing your mission (in a couple of SHORT sentences) present me the affect of the work that has been completed by way of beneficiant donations. Make me wish to donate.
   

• Host or MC

  The host or the MC units the tone for the whole occasion. Don’t simply choose somebody randomly! Select a dynamic speaker that may characterize your group properly and can make your occasion enjoyable!
   

• The Ask(s)

  Make asks all through this system, and don’t wait till the tip of your occasion to do that. Since that is digital, folks can be tuning in in any respect totally different instances throughout your occasion. Don’t make it tough for them to learn how they will donate. The MC, your govt director, visitor audio system, and constituents can and will inform folks the place to donate. Put a ticker on the backside of the display that directs folks to your web site. You possibly can nonetheless be very tactful whereas making these asks, however please, be sure to ask!

  Make it straightforward to your donor to share information about their donation. It’ll encourage others to donate too.

  It’s a terrific concept to point out the progress you’ve made in the direction of your aim throughout the night. Donors need you to achieve your targets. Make it straightforward for them that will help you get there.
   

• Expertise

  Select your platform properly. The very best occasions I’ve seen have streamed on Fb Stay or YouTube the place you possibly can chat with friends by way of the chat function. This is without doubt one of the greatest methods to have interaction your viewers. One colleague I spoke with instructed me that they planted their workers members within the chat to have interaction the viewers and make them really feel extra concerned. So, when that board member joins the occasion, take the chance to say howdy. Or shout out to that donor who made a giant reward. It’s additionally applicable (and sensible) to proceed telling folks the place they will donate. (See the Ask(s) above.)

  Watch out with Zoom or video conferencing. They don’t produce high quality sound. In case you have the chance to document particular person movies from residence, reap the benefits of it. Don’t simply function all speaking head movies. Get artistic and overlay graphics throughout the speaker’s video, or have a static image with voiceovers. Present an image of the gala chairs as a substitute of that includes them in a separate video. You need your transitions to be easy and seamless although, so use a top quality video manufacturing firm to assist with this factor.
   

• The Plan

  Please don’t wing it. Be ready and give you a plan (and a backup or two) for the night.

  Don’t underestimate the facility of scripts. Many individuals aren’t snug in entrance of a digital camera and you do not need them going rogue, or to neglect the purpose and begin to ramble. You additionally wish to give your audio system tips for the place to face (in entrance of one thing plain- not a messy bookshelf!), the best way to get the very best lighting, what colours work greatest on digital camera, and the place to look.
   

• It’s All within the Timing

  Don’t make your occasion too lengthy. Seize your viewers’s consideration from the start. I’ve seen galas that ran 20 minutes (yay!), 45 minutes, and properly over an hour. My favourite are these which are quick, candy, and to the purpose. I understood their mission, I used to be entertained, and I made a donation!

Digital fundraising occasions can work properly. Total, you wish to:

• Be mission centered
• Make a number of asks
• Present the affect of your work
• Be clear, and concise
• Have nice manufacturing high quality
• And make your group cash!

For extra on changing your canceled fundraising occasion to a digital fundraising occasion, take a look at the Swaim Methods session in The Nonprofit Academy: https://thenonprofitacademy.com/trainings/canceled-fundraising-event-solutions/