Category: Virtual Fundraising

Whether you’re hosting a charity gala where guests can bid on exclusive auction items, organizing a golf tournament with supporters participating from afar, or running a spontaneous online campaign to respond to a season of giving—or, god forbid, a disaster—there are plenty of reasons to need a simple online platform to support your efforts.

With the right tools, this is easy and effective. From silent auctions and ticket sales to customizable donation options, you can create an engaging experience for both in-person and virtual supporters. This guide will walk you through each step, helping you bring your fundraising vision to life—whether it’s for a glamorous gala, a community golf day, or an impromptu seasonal appeal. Dive in and make your next campaign one to remember!

Step 1: Create Your Platform Account

Whether you use the Givergy platform or not, you will need an account with a fundraising partner to effectively create your online fundraising campaigns. In our example, any fundraiser would need to create a Givergy account. A straightforward process done by signing up through our website.

Once registered, you’ll be able to log in to your account and access your campaign dashboard. Here, you’ll manage every aspect of your fundraising campaign—from adding auction items to setting donation goals.

Step 2: Setting Up a New Campaign

The Givergy platform has been designed for ease of use and its intuition makes creating campaigns a job to look forward to rather than fear. To create a new campaign simply go to the main dashboard and click on “Add New Campaign.” A setup window will appear, prompting you to enter your campaign’s essential details:

Campaign Name: Choose a clear, engaging title. The name of your campaign is often the first thing people see, so step outside the box and be creative – even from the beginning.

Campaign Dates: Set start and end dates for your campaign.

Event Type: Select whether your campaign will be “online only” or “in-person and online” to accommodate both virtual and physical fundraising events.

Click “All Good, Continue” to proceed to the next setup stage.

Step 3: Select Campaign Features

With your campaign basics set, it’s time to explore the true beauty of your online platform. Now you can decide on the features that will bring your fundraising campaign to life. Givergy, offer a range of options to suit different types of fundraising efforts. Select the features that best align with your goals, whether it’s engaging supporters through an exciting silent auction, offering flexible donation options, or selling tickets for an upcoming event. If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are also customized event displays to choose from.

Here are some feature options to consider:

Silent Auction: Perfect for adding an interactive element. Include donated items or unique experiences that can drive excitement and competitive bidding.

Donations: Enable a simple “donate now” option for supporters who want to contribute directly, with options for recurring donations or custom amounts.

Ticketing: If you’re running a gala, golf day, or other event, set up ticketing so attendees can reserve their spots with ease. You can offer various tiers—such as general admission, VIP, or sponsor packages—to suit different levels of support.

Select your features and click “Save” to lock in your choices. You’re now one step closer to launching a dynamic, engaging campaign!

Step 4: Work Through Your Pre-Launch Checklist

With your campaign page set up, it’s time to work through the platform’s pre-launch checklist to ensure everything is in place for a smooth and successful campaign. The checklist provides a clear roadmap of final tasks and includes access to help guides from the Givergy community, offering step-by-step instructions and tips from experienced fundraisers. This ensures you have full support as you prepare to go live.

Here are some essential items covered in the checklist:

Preview and Customize Your Campaign Page: Make sure your layout, images, and messaging are polished and inviting. A well-designed page that effectively tells your story will engage supporters and build trust.

Set Up Payment Processing: Confirm that your payment gateway (e.g., Stripe) is fully configured, allowing for secure and seamless processing of donations, ticket purchases, and auction bids.

Double-Check Key Details: Review important settings like campaign dates, ticket types, and auction items to ensure accuracy. It’s also helpful to test the donor experience by going through the checkout process to catch any issues early.

Activate Notifications: Enable automatic thank-you messages for donors and reminders for upcoming deadlines (like auction closing times). This will keep supporters engaged and informed throughout the campaign.

Working through each item on the checklist, with the added guidance from the Givergy community help guides, ensures you’re set up for success.

Step 5: Launch and Promote Your Campaign

Now that your campaign is ready, it’s time to spread the word! Share your campaign page link through various social channels to maximize reach. Use social media to post regular updates, announce new auction items, or celebrate milestones as you reach them. Email newsletters can also be highly effective, especially for reaching past donors or existing supporters. In short, staying active in engaging with your supporters throughout the campaign is vital.

If it seems daunting staying in touch with so many potential supporters, do not worry, another perk of using an online platform is automated messaging which can be turned on from your campaign dashboard! Meaning donors never miss a beat.

Step 6: Report and Learn

The final part of your campaign is all about tracking results and analysing your outcomes to gain valuable insights for the future. Proper reporting allows you to understand what worked well, where there’s room for improvement, and how you can build on your successes for future campaigns. Again, this is all made easier with an online platform supporting your campaign and gathering data in real time.

With these steps, you’re well-equipped to create a memorable, impactful fundraising campaign. Whether it’s a gala, golf tournament, or a timely seasonal appeal, an online campaign can expand your reach and make a lasting difference for your cause. Want to get started on your next campaign? Get in touch today!

Although charities require ongoing support 365 days a year, Giving Tuesday is a brilliant date to make the most out of your campaigns. Whether you want to boost existing activities or use the occasion as an opportunity to host a fundraising event, December 5th is the date to highlight in your calendar!

Giving Tuesday is recognised globally as a day of giving and it is also designed to encourage people to engage in acts of kindness towards local, national and international causes. Taking place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the U.S., it serves as a counterpoint to the commercial shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It emphasises the spirit of generosity and philanthropy. With some organisations finding 2024 a tougher year than previous, we think Giving Tuesday can be maximised in various ways to make the date truly count. Interested to find out more? Keep on reading!

Why Is Giving Tuesday More Important Than Ever Before?

Giving Tuesday is essential every year, but we believe it has taken on greater importance in 2024.

The notable date has been popular since its launch in 2012. It provides a platform for nonprofits and charities to highlight their highest-priority initiatives and engage with potential donors who are ready and willing to support them. Statistics also confirm this as the 2022 State Modern Philanthropy 2022 report found that nonprofit organisations acquired ten times more donors on Giving Tuesday and saw double the conversion rate compared to an average day of the year.

In 2024, Giving Tuesday allows charitable organisations to leverage the collective momentum and attention generated by the global day of giving to overcome the challenges the year has seen. More demand on services, an increase in global prices and smaller pools of donors to target can all be eased with some clever Giving Tuesday campaigns.

The day allows organisations to showcase their work and raise funds to support their missions. By participating in Giving Tuesday, nonprofits can reach a larger audience and tap into the generosity of individuals actively looking to make a difference. Organisations can amplify their current message, engage with potential donors and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve by participating in Giving Tuesday. 

If you want to learn more about Giving Tuesday, click this link to read the informative blog we produced for the occasion last year. 

How Can You Make The Most Out Of Giving Tuesday?

We think that one of the best ways to leverage Giving Tuesday is to get digital. Online fundraising is the most effective way to gain instant support from donors who come across your messaging on this date as it provides a simple way to facilitate aid. Thanks to the Givergy fundraising platform, you can also make a brilliant first impression that can lead to improved loyalty levels throughout the rest of the year.

Creating a standout online fundraising campaign also provides the following benefits:

Expanded reach: Online fundraising allows nonprofits to reach a wider audience beyond their local community or network. Through social media, email campaigns and digital marketing efforts, organisations can share their mission and fundraising initiatives with a global audience, increasing their visibility and potential donor base. Something as simple as sharing a link to an online silent auction could result in much more traffic to your cause.

Convenience and ease of use: Online fundraising provides convenience for both donors and organisations. Donors can contribute to a cause at any time and from anywhere, using their preferred payment method. For organisations, online fundraising platforms automate many processes, reducing the administrative burden and streamline donation management.

Improved donor relationships: Online fundraising platforms enable better donor stewardship and communication. Nonprofits can utilise email updates, newsletters, and social media to engage and cultivate relationships with donors, sharing progress, impact stories and expressing gratitude for their support. This enhances donor loyalty and encourages continued engagement.

Enhanced data and reporting: Online fundraising platforms offer robust data and reporting capabilities, making it easier for organisations to track and analyse donation patterns, donor demographics and campaign performance. This data-driven approach helps organisations make informed decisions, target their fundraising efforts effectively and allocate funds to programs more efficiently.

Cost-effectiveness: Compared to traditional fundraising methods, online fundraising typically requires fewer resources and can be extremely cost-effective for nonprofits. It eliminates the need for physical materials like brochures or mailers and reduces expenses associated with venue rentals or staffing for in-person events. This allows organisations to allocate more of their funds directly to their programs and beneficiaries.

With the weeks quickly steaming ahead, now is the time to get your Giving Tuesday plans finalised! For Givergy Unlimited subscription holders, setting up a fundraising site in honour of the day is quick and simple. This is one of the many benefits of having access to our entire range of products and services as it means you can create a platform for giving at any time.

For more advice on how you can stand out from the crowd with a memorable online fundraising presence, whether you are an existing Givergy client or new to our platform,  contact us today.

So you’re looking to host a virtual gala? That’s what we love to hear!

Now, an in-person gala has always been an event to look forward to over the years. Whether you’re fundraising, raising awareness or even just celebrating an individual, there’s glamor, food and often incredible entertainment to enjoy.

But what happens when the budget doesn’t quite stretch to a big hall? Or perhaps a storm has canceled the travel plans of your guests? Whether you need a back up idea fast or not, a virtual gala is a great substitute. At the same time, after this guide, you may decide that a virtual gala is in fact your first choice. After all, it’s less money, less organization, less time and so much easier to coordinate. 

In more recent years, people have been actively seeking to host a virtual gala instead of a physical one and there are plenty of good reasons to do so. In this article, we’ll take you through why you should, and how, you can host a virtual gala with the same class that they’ve always had.

Here we go, here is our step by step virtual gala guide. 

Why would you host a virtual gala?

It’s true that hosting large events in big spaces has been difficult in recent years thanks to a certain pandemic. This has meant there are quite a few reasons to host virtual galas online, but what reasons should you need for hosting a virtual gala? The truth is, running a virtual gala is much easier than hosting one in real life – plus the guest list and funding can increase exponentially.

If you’re deciding between a virtual event and an in-person event, all you need to do is decide what your priorities are. Is it money? A larger audience will help gain more donations and no venue will save a lot of the budget. Consider how much of a priority a social event is.

While a gala in person can be more of a social event, it’s more organization, potentially more time and certainly more money.. So, here’s our definitive guide on how to run a virtual gala.

How to set up your virtual gala

1. Assembling your team

The team you have around you in any fundraising event is essential. Whether it’s delegating tasks or a last-minute step-in for a particular action. Being able to trust and rely on your team will relieve a lot of stress in hosting your virtual gala. 

Now, your team might consist of a number of individuals but there’s also opportunity for it to be a company. There are organizations out there who can do the heavy lifting for you. From hosting the event to providing secure transactions and sending out guest invitations. 

There’s so much to do, and often it can be daunting, especially if this is the first virtual gala you have hosted. It’s important to know that running these types of events don’t have to be so draining on your resources, so if it’s possible, bring in the experts. The award-winning Givergy Virtual platform is a perfect option for this, it can help with:

• Full design customisation
• Data and insights
• Full technical support
• Guest engagement
• Event communication

Whoever you choose to be on your team, make sure you feel comfortable relying on them to produce your vision for a virtual gala.

2. Deciding your date and time

Deciding a date might not be a difficult decision. It might be dictated by who you’re raising money for, for example if it involves raising money for a school to go to State Finals, you’re going to need to raise the funds in plenty of time to book transport for the event. In some cases, fundraising might be ongoing and your date just needs to be the most convenient day of the week.

Something which may need a little more consideration is the time of your virtual gala. Being virtual means that people can join your event from across the country – even the globe. So time zones play a big factor in your gala.

Choosing a time should be a well-thought out process and something that works for the majority of your audience. There’s no point in choosing a 7pm start for Eastern Standard time if half of your attendees are stuck in LA traffic, especially on a Friday! Also try to make sure you avoid dinner and children’s bedtimes/school pick-up times. Think about all the busy moments during the day when your audience will be busy and fit your virtual gala around that.

3. How long should your virtual gala be?

While your host is important to keeping your audience engaged, don’t go thinking that a virtual gala needs to be as long as an in-person one! Nobody wants to sit at their laptop for 4 to 5 hours. For efficient and well run campaigns, less than an hour is plenty of time for virtual galas.

4. Decide how you will collect funds

You’ve got your team around you and decided on a time and date. The next thing to do is to decide how you will collect funds. If you’ve opted to have a mobile fundraising platform as part of your team then you might already have this figured out. However, if you haven’t, then collecting funds may be your sticking point.

Will you create a separate fundraising account where people can donate via direct transfer? Will you create a venmo account so you can request money as well as receive donations? There are a variety of options. What you need to do is make sure that the people donating feel safe sending over their money. And make it very easy! No matter what you decide, make sure your connection is safe and secure for all those donating.

What to include in your virtual gala

Unlike an in-person gala, your virtual gala cannot rely on a great three-course dinner as the single form of entertainment. Dinner is not something you can provide virtually, unless you plan on sending a gourmet dinner out ready for your guests to heat at home when it’s received! Unlikely for most. So, fill your gala with other events that persuade your guests to donate, such as information on the organization and goal, but also entertainment such as music or a reading.

Incorporating a theme into your virtual gala

It may seem a little unorthodox, but we love to suggest incorporating a theme into virtual galas. It lightens the mood and makes it more fun when you suggest a cool 80s disco vibe – it can also help with choosing your interval music. Galas in person are typically black tie events, virtual galas break the rules entirely. It’s not about eating with a silver spoon, it’s about rocking out with an air guitar solo midway through your favorite Bon Jovi track. Adding a theme reduces any initial awkward feelings about being at a virtual gala.

Choosing the perfect host for your virtual gala

One thing you will want is a host. Your host will be what ties the event together, bringing excitement to all the little bits of fundraising. We recommend getting someone with stage presence and style. Your host will need to introduce the event, any smaller fundraising activities like a raffle, announce the winner and funding total. All the while having a voice that keeps people listening. If your audience switches off because of someone with a dull voice, then they might miss the chance to donate. Let us know if we can help with your fundraising host.

You could also look to include a comedian. There’s a reason comedians host all the good Hollywood award shows – they’re entertaining. Your comedic host can give funny anecdotes for introducing activities, deliver your sponsorship notes with class and crack a few jokes here and there.

Now you know what and who you need to host a virtual gala, it’s time to decide what your event will include. Consider how long your event is and decide how you will fill that time. You could fill it with one idea, or you have lots of little options to raise funds. It’s completely up to you. 

Here are some of our favorite suggestions:

• Donation drive
• Silent auction
• Raffle and prize draws
• A quiz
• Tutorials
• Murder mystery

Getting an audience for your virtual gala

If you’re used to hosting galas then you may already have a list of people in mind for who you want to attend your virtual gala. It’s worth noting that not all of your regular black-tie-loving and three-course-dinner fans may want to attend something online. For them it’s about the dinners and the clothing, and online doesn’t quite tick the box, and that’s fine.

The great thing about having a virtual gala is that your guest list grows exponentially. You can invite as many people as you want and you can spread the word as far and wide as possible thanks to social media.

Of course, if your fundraising efforts are for a local beneficiary then it might be difficult to get people from out of State involved but at the same time, who doesn’t love helping a good cause? We see it every day. People generously giving from all over the world to people they will never meet.

Send your invitations out via email, social media, direct mail (a letter through the door), posters, flyers, you can even call people up to invite them. It all depends on how much budget you have as to how many people see your details. Just make sure you attach a sign-up link for them to everything so they can easily register their interest. Saying who you are and when you’re having a virtual gala is no use to people if you don’t tell them how to purchase a ticket and log on. This can all be done through one registration and fundraising platform.

There you have it. Your definitive guide on how to run a virtual gala. You have reasons to host it online – even if it’s simply down to difficult circumstances. Steps to take in order to set it up by building a team, selecting a suitable date, time and duration and then organizing how you will collect funds. The rest is up to you, for what your virtual gala will or won’t involve. Then lastly, getting an audience – new or old. Will you take the plunge and host your first virtual gala?

For more information, take a look at our Virtual Gala fundraising solution, or simply get in touch. 

As the world of fundraising continues to adapt to the online and virtual space, it can be difficult to think of unique ideas that will stand your organization out from the crowd. No matter what you’re trying to raise money for, whether it’s a non-profit, a local community or a school, hosting a virtual event can be a great way to maximize profits and participation, especially when limited with other options due to potential restrictions.

Read on to review our virtual fundraising ideas and see what inspires you. And if a virtual event fits your needs, get in touch with our team to discuss things further.

Online Auctions

If you’re looking to put an exciting twist on an old classic then an online auction is a great idea. It’s up to you if you ask for donations to the auction in your local area, or you find some funding to purchase auction packages and experiences. You’ll have to have a strong sixth sense to find something worth selling which can also make you a profit, which is why often a combination of the two works best.

You’ll find local businesses, such as local stores, can donate products, experiences and gifts to your auction where you can provide free promotion of their company in exchange. Host your event online through a trusted fundraising platform to ensure all payments are secure and you’re good to go! All you need is a team of people around you to help promote the event online.

Online Chinese Auction

Much like an online auction, an online Chinese Auction is a great way to spice up a traditional fundraising event. So why would you choose a Chinese Auction? The truth is that they’re a little more upmarket than most fundraising events, which means they can bring in a lot more than your typical funds. 

The success of an online Chinese Auction usually depends on how much effort the host is willing to put in. Finding the right items for attendees to bid on, creating a buzz around the event, making those who donated and those who are bidding feel special for receiving an invite.

Online raffle

At the end of the day, you cannot beat a raffle or prize draw. There’s a reason why they’re the easiest and most accessible event and it’s exactly why they’re ranking high on our list for online events. 

It can be difficult to host a virtual event and get people to tune in at the correct time. The best part about a raffle event? You don’t need people to log in to watch the draw, all you need to do is host it. When it comes to selling the tickets, either online or offline, you just need to keep a record of who purchased what ticket so you can send the prize to the correct person.

See more about our services for online prize draws. 

Online quiz

Let’s be honest, who hasn’t participated in an online quiz over the last few years? The entire world was fascinated with swapping out Friday night drinks at the bar for an online quiz with friends. It’s a great way for people to get connected and relax a little. Plus, if it’s all for a good cause, statistics show that people are more likely to get involved and spread the word to their friends and family. 

Hosting a quiz is incredibly easy to do as well, all you need to gather are a few questions (most of which are easy to find online). You can get people to buy tickets and enter as a team, or individually. We recommend holding a cash prize for the winners, typically we’d say 10% from whatever was raised from the entry tickets to the event. That way, each entry increases the winnings ever so slightly. 

Virtual murder mystery

Now, we know what you’re thinking, this one is a little out there. However, if you want to create a unique event, an online murder mystery is a great idea. Not only can it help revive some old childhood game fun but it’s a great way to get people excited about an event before they turn up. 

This one raises funds without someone being completely aware that that’s what they’re doing – they’re just there to have fun. One reason we love this fundraising idea also is that there is little to no effort involved as you can download many murder mystery storylines online for free. All you need to do is host them! 

Virtual runs

Are you an avid runner on the weekend? This could be the perfect way to get some fundraising going within your community. Even if you’re not partial to a 5km event, it’s a great way to get out there more. 

Host a virtual run and have people pay to enter (this will be your fundraising pot). Then, for those who complete the run and show evidence, you can send them a medal in the post! It’s easy and relatively inexpensive to purchase medals online, but make sure you don’t order any until you have the final numbers on participants. You don’t want to reduce your profits by purchasing too many!

Virtual dance marathon

Similar to the virtual run, a virtual dance marathon is a great way to get up and active. Plus, it’s a little more fun than going out on your own for a jog. You’ll need to gather sign-ups for this event before it’s hosted. When you have your dedicated dancers, it’s their job to get sponsorship for the event. It might be people sponsoring them to do a type of dance, to dance for a certain duration, or to choose a particular song to dance to. There are more ways to get a sponsor than just one so encourage your dancers to get creative.  

Online music gig

Band nights are far and few between these days. It’s harder for venues to pay for a gig with funds being tight, which is why we are big advocates of online music gigs. Especially as it gives a lot of bands total freedom on what they play when they play and how much they charge for the pleasure of viewing. Whether you’re part of a band or not, you will want to host the event on a closed site. Meaning that those who pay to watch will receive a password and then be able to access it. You can manage the transactions easily using a trusted vendor and use a platform such as Zoom to host it.

Online book club

This is the perfect fundraiser to receive continual funds with. If you’re looking for more of a stable trickle of money coming in rather than a big lump sum – it’s a game changer. Have people donate a sum of money that will cost the cover of the book (and then add some more for profit) and arrange weekly updates on chapters to read and discuss. 

It’s a great fundraiser but also perfect for those looking to make a few friends. In a large and sparse community, it can be an ideal way to bring people together. Then, once you’ve all completed the book you can start the process again with a new donation.

Learn a skill online

In the same way you can continually raise funds with a book club, you can do the same with hosting workshops online for people to learn a skill. It can be something small such as learning to knit or you can help people become DIY experts by making a coffee table. The only thing you need to do is find someone willing to donate their time to teach the skill. 

You can send out information beforehand so that everyone has all the items they need to get started and even share information on where to hire certain tools. Host the workshop in an evening if it’s a quick skill or use the weekend if more time is needed (and potentially get more learners involved too). 

Online bake sale

This one can be a little tricky, especially as most people will want to see a cake before they buy it. But remember, an online bake sale doesn’t have to follow the rules of a traditional bake sale with the addition of a live video stream. You can host an online bake sale in a number of ways. 

You could supply all the stencils and equipment you need to create a character cake. You could supply a tray of cupcakes with edible decorations to decorate at home. Alternatively, there is always the option of selling the finished cake. Remember to think outside the box when you move events like this online. It’s not just a case of setting up a camera.

Online gaming stream-athon

Similar to the dance-athon and running events, an online gaming stream-athon is for a particular type of crowd. Whether you’re part of the gaming community or not, there is a lot of demand to watch people stream online for long periods of time. Streaming isn’t only a case of watching someone else play a game. Viewers can make requests for the streamer to play certain games, compete against them, ask them to sing a song, make a shoutout, even dance to something while playing. It’s a chance to have the streamer do a whole bunch of crazy and funny gamer stuff to be entertained. All viewers need to do, is donate in order to have their request met.

Virtual scavenger hunt

This idea is great for people of all ages. Whether you’re looking to get more local school children involved or it’s just fun for adults, a scavenger hunt is always a good call. You can stick to themes or items, create an alphabet of requests or go wild. Scavenger hunts might last an hour or you could ask your participants to pay a premium and have the event go on for an entire week. Remember, scavenger hunts can be more than just finding an item once. You could task your participants with photographing as many red trucks as they can throughout the event. Have fun with what you ask people to find but make sure it’s achievable for the majority so nobody is disheartened by the lack of items in and around their community.

So there you have it – lots of ideas for Virtual Fundraising! We hope it was useful to you for your fundraising activities this year.

Givergy gives you the perfect tools to successfully run your virtual fundraising events. Whether you’re looking to hold multiple fundraising drives throughout the year, or a one-off online campaign, we have the platform and expertise to maximize your fundraising activities.