September 10, 2024
Making your virtual fundraising events memorable takes creativity. Whether your event is hybrid or solely online, adding a unique element to your fundraiser can engage and excite your donors. However, with so many possibilities, it can be difficult to know where to start—especially if this is one of your first online events. That’s why we’ve pulled together some of the most creative virtual fundraising ideas for nonprofits.
Our Top Virtual Fundraising Ideas for Your Next Event
With virtual fundraising platforms, such as ClickBid, there’s no longer a geographic restriction for event attendance. Anyone can attend your event from anywhere. Engage this expanded audience by leveraging these unique virtual fundraising ideas, compiled by our team of experts.
#1. Virtual Cooking or Mixology Class
How it works: Whether you’re making homemade pizza or mixing up a mojito, cooking or mixology classes are the perfect virtual fundraising ideas to engage virtual audiences. Your nonprofit can partner with a local chef or mixologist and stream the class live. Your guests can donate while watching the live stream.
How to maximize donations: Consider charging admission and setting up different tier levels for gifts, which can be done using a fundraising software like ClickBid. Plus, you could allow your guests to purchase an additional ticket or make another donation to participate in an exclusive live chat or meet with the cook or mixologist after the class ends.
How to make it happen: To learn how to implement this feature in ClickBid’s software, click here to view our category on Virtual Fundraising Ideas.
#2. Food Pickup
How it works: Enhance the guest experience by offering them the ability to pick up food from a local restaurant to enjoy while watching your event. Guests can choose their meal selection when browsing the ticket levels and options, which are available on ClickBid’s Ticket page.
How to maximize donations: Consider partnering with local businesses or restaurants to offer additional packages your guests can purchase from them. This can generate additional donations for your event.
How to make it happen: To learn how to implement this feature in ClickBid’s software, click here to view our category on Virtual Fundraising Ideas.
#3. Social Media Picture Contest
How it works: Have your guests share photos on social media with your custom hashtag, or ask guests to submit an image to the competition for voting. This is one of the most popular virtual fundraising ideas for nonprofits to generate engagement—and add some fun to their events, too.
How to maximize donations: Charge a voting fee or ask for a donation when guests vote for their favorite photo. Additionally, consider having a special prize for the winner of the social media picture contest, which will encourage more guests to enter to win.
How to make it happen: To learn how to implement this feature in ClickBid’s software, click here to view our category on Virtual Fundraising Ideas.
#4. Virtual Concert or Talent Show
How it works: Host an online concert featuring local musicians or a talent show where participants showcase their skills. Attendees can donate to vote for their favorite performances.
How to maximize donations: Similar to the social media picture contest, ask for a donation or charge a voting fee for guests to weigh in on their favorite performances. You could also consider selling VIP tickets or giving out prizes for a virtual meet-and-greet with the performers or exclusive merchandise.
How to make it happen: Utilize the ticket levels and options available on ClickBid’s Ticket page to offer VIP status.
#5. Online Game Night
How it works: Organize a virtual game night with popular online games or trivia competitions. Participants can donate to join the games or compete for prizes.
How to maximize donations: Think about charging an entry fee for each game, or you can offer a package deal for multiple games. This can serve as the base donation for your guests. Additionally, create opportunities for in-game donations, such as power-ups, hints, or extra lives. You should also consider partnering with local businesses or sponsors who can provide matching donations or prizes for winners.
How to make it happen: Utilize the ticket levels and options available on ClickBid’s Ticket page to manage entry fees.
How to Hold a Successful Virtual Fundraiser
There are many tips for hosting a virtual or hybrid event that can make your experience run smoothly. Make sure you uphold these foundational aspects of a successful event:
- Engage your audience: Keep the same mentality as you would for an in-person event. In other words, it’s still critical to create memorable experiences for your guests. Adding one of our virtual fundraising ideas—or coming up with your own creative idea—can help you make your next event unforgettable.
- Communicate with your guests: On your event’s landing page, make sure your event details are easily viewable and straightforward to read for your guests. Making sure your audience is aware of when, where, and how your event will happen is very important to avoid any confusion. Plus, effective communication with your guests will make the checking-out process and item pickup/delivery easier for your organization.
- Stay organized throughout your event: Staying organized will help you avoid preventable hiccups or steer clear of any show-stopping accidents that could impact the success of your event. Delegating individuals to be in charge of separate aspects of your event may help the flow and the planning process of your event. By leaning on your team for help, it’ll be much easier for you to stay organized.
Bring Your Virtual Fundraising Ideas to Life with ClickBid
Need help incorporating these virtual fundraising ideas for nonprofits into your upcoming events? ClickBid is here to help. Our crazy simple software and dedicated account managers can help you achieve your vision and maximize donor engagement. Get in touch with us today for a free demo.
