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Author: Ben Crook

Ben is at the forefront of every project in Givergy, listing and actioning constant improvements across the business. With over a decade of experience in the charity and events sector he brings a deep understanding of what the fundraising industry needs to operate effectively and efficiently.

How to Run a Virtual Gala: Definitive Guide

Posted on by Ben Crook

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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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:

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. 

Fundraising Ideas for Non-profits

Posted on by Ben Crook

Fundraising is not easy. Despite millions of dollars being raised each year through fundraising attempts, it can be incredibly difficult to get your online campaign or fundraising event off the ground. There are budget demands, spaces to be considered, people to invite and of course, the all-important efforts that go towards spreading the word. 

There are lots of different ways to fundraise, so you shouldn’t struggle to find an idea. Take a look at our fundraising ideas for non-profits so you can get going on ticking one thing off from your to-do list!

If you need some extra help after reading our ideas, Givergy has all bases covered when it comes to fundraising, providing year-round access to fundraising tools that will help you raise more.

Bake sales

One of the most traditional ways to raise money is to host a bake sale. It’s low cost for all participants and only requires time, so fairly easy to get involved. All you need is a fascinating hook to drive interest and participation.

This might be a certain theme of cake, color scheme or even a particular ingredient that has to be featured creatively. This type of fundraising event is great for all types of audiences but works especially well within schools and sports teams. Take a deeper look at how to run a cake sale.

Cooking competitions

If you don’t think that your local school or sports club will get behind a bake sale, why not host a cooking competition? Seek out volunteers and task them with making the same dish. You can keep it simple like making chili or meatloaf, or alternatively test your chefs with a local speciality.

Cooking competitions are great because people will pay to taste the food and cast their vote – essentially getting a free dinner while raising money for a good cause. What’s not to love?

Quiz nights

If you can find a local bar to host this one in, you’re onto a winner. There’s no better combination than having a drink and a laugh with the friends in your community, all while raising money for a good cause. You can charge a set price for team entries or for individuals. It’s then a case of who scores highest, wins. We suggest putting up a cash pot prize for the winner which comes from a portion of the ticket sales – it’ll attract a bigger audience.

Movie nights

Got kids? This is a great way to get involved in fundraising because those who are parents know the necessity of having a night off! Movie nights are the perfect provider for this. You just need a space big enough for all the kids to get together and watch a film.

As adults, you pay to drop your kids off or you stay and watch as a family. It’s important to note that if you make this an event for the kids, you’ll need suitable chaperons and qualifications to care for children. We recommend this type of fundraiser for schools with teachers being those who volunteer their time – just as they would a school dance. It makes a lot of logistical sense!

Scavenger hunts

Your community is a great resource to tap into when it comes to fundraising. Scavenger hunts can be so much fun for the entire family throughout a weekend. Set up your scavenger hunts so that they have participants trawling through hotspots in the streets. This will raise awareness further and bring a buzz about the community. 

Make sure that when you run your scavenger hunt, it’s so that people can take part whenever they want and that it becomes a timed event for the top spot. By restricting people to all take part at the same time, often clues will be spoiled and fewer groups will take part.

Talent shows

We all love a good talent show. It’s why American Idol and America’s Got Talent has been on television for decades and they still get participants. Whether it’s to support and nurture that young incredible talent or to have a good giggle at a comedian’s act.

Talent shows have proven time and time again to raise big money and provide a platform for talented people to shine under the spotlight. It’s the type of feel-good event everyone wants to get behind and works well with schools.

Yard sale fundraisers

Yard sales are great fundraisers in the community. All you need is a bit of sunshine and a few generous donors who are desperate to clear out the garage. Hosting a yard sale might be on a particular street if you’re raising funds for your local community park, or if it’s for a sports facility you can host the event where training is typically held. 

Big sports halls, gymnasiums, open parks, the opportunities are endless. Yard sales are a great fundraiser if you have little funds to hold events because they typically require no upfront cost, just a few generous people.

Online streaming events

Gaming and streaming have increased dramatically in recent years. Before young gamers were considered lazy, now there’s the potential for an incredible career earning thousands of dollars. Streaming events can be a tournament between a few players or a sponsored event where one person streams for a long duration. 

24-hour streaming events are growing in fundraising circles. They provide entertainment for viewers and it’s all online, making it easier to raise money from around the world rather than being restricted by location.

Danceathons

People who are full of energy are perfect for a danceathon. So if you’re fundraising for a school full of excitable students then this is the perfect event for you to host. Danceathons require people to volunteer their time and energy for the main event, but the money comes from gaining sponsorship. If you’re to host a danceathon you need to make sure your participants are dedicated to finding sponsors for the event. It might be $5 each from the neighbors or $100 from a family member’s business. The success of this event relies on your dancers being determined to raise money.

Head shaving/body waxing events

Really?! Well, there is something satisfying about watching someone get a wax for charity. Especially when it’s a hairy man volunteering his legs, chest or back! There have been some hilarious videos on the Internet over the years of waxing events and we don’t think they’re going away any time soon. 

Head shaving has also grown in tremendous popularity for women in recent years. More importantly, donating hair to foundations where wigs can be made. You can raise money for any non-profit and then donate the hair somewhere else. Perhaps you host a big hair removal event where waxing and head shaving all happen together?

5K sponsored runs

A 5K run is perfect for those living in suburban areas. It can be difficult to get all the community together in one place if they’re spread out, especially if you’re living in the midwest. It’s important to say that when you’re promoting your 5K event, include as many fun runners as you can. 

People who already run for a hobby won’t get much sponsorship to run a 5K, but those who rarely run certainly will! It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone for a good cause and the 5K is ideal because anybody can do it. You can walk a 5K, run, or skip the event, you could even open up the options for costumes too – it’ll grab the attention of people and entice more to enter.

Cardio machine relay races

Perhaps a 5K isn’t ideal in your area. There might not be many green and open spaces and running an event on the streets requires town approval. In which case, head to the gym. Cardio relay races are growing in popularity and it’s incredibly easy to get volunteers for the event. The only difficulty lies in finding some sponsors. 

It might be a rowing team relay, the stair master, treadmill or even spin bike. Don’t aim for distance in these relay events, aim for time, it’s more impressive that way. A 24-hour rowing relay – sounds like a great event to sponsor!

Casino night

Think you need something a little different? Why not host a casino night. There are plenty of companies that can come out and provide everything you need to make this happen – even the dealers! All you need to do is make sure you charge enough on the door for entrance to the event so that it recovers any cost. Some companies, if you let them know you’re fundraising, will reduce their prices so make sure you mention it when booking. We suggest when hosting a casino night you keep the money relatively low to reduce the risk of losing money on the event. That being said, the house always wins right?

Silent auction

Just like a casino night, a silent auction is great for something a little different. Plus, if you’re going to host a live event, they have a sense of sophistication that gives people a great excuse to bust out the tux and reach deep into their pockets for donating.

Silent auctions involve people making bids on auction prizes, and with mobile bidding it allows for a relaxed atmosphere as guests can bid from their phones throughout the event. Plus, the winners are the people who are willing to give the most so bidders know if they want something then they’ll have to bring out the cheque book!

Our silent auction service can help you here!

Fundraising dinner party

Bring out the big guns with a full-on dinner party. Host a three-course dinner where people can pay per head to sit and enjoy but make sure you sell the tickets at a profit to raise those extra funds. So, why are dinner parties the big guns? Because they’re the perfect opportunity to bring a bunch of fundraising activities together. 

Get people buying tickets for 50/50 raffles, wine pulls or even have them bidding on someone in a date auction. The dinner, whilst making money, should be seen as secondary to all the other fundraising activities going on during the evening. You might even host an eating contest when it comes to dessert – the winner going home with their dinner fully refunded!

For a bigger gala dinner, our Fundraising Hosts service could help you to raise as much as possible. 

Running your fundraiser with Givergy

Givergy gives you the perfect tools to successfully run your fundraising events throughout the year. It doesn’t matter if you’re holding a live fundraising event, a virtual gala or any online fundraising campaign, we have the platform and expertise to maximize your fundraising activities.

3 New Solutions to Ensure Supporters Book with Confidence!

Posted on by Ben Crook

We are well aware of the stress and uncertainty that come with the Covid crisis, and how this may be affecting the confidence of your donors when it comes to bidding for an auction prize, be it a holiday abroad or something closer to home. Understandably, people don’t want to lose their money due to last-minute lockdowns or quarantine restrictions. That’s where we come in!

We have listened closely to our clients concerns and have been working hard with our suppliers to come up with new solutions. By giving your bidders increased flexibility when booking their prize, they are more likely to be encouraged to bid given the current circumstances, increasing audience participation and therefore funds raised.

By launching the below changes to our auction item T&Cs, your donors can now book their prizes with full confidence:

1. Extended validity:

Where winning bidders previously had three months to redeem and one year to take their prize, we can now offer up to one year for prizes to be redeemed, plus up to two years for winners to enjoy their prize from the date they win it. This gives your supporters the flexibility to book their prize at a later date when they may feel more comfortable and when it suits them best.

2. Flexibility with quarantine restrictions:

If quarantine rules are placed in the region winners are travelling from, or the location they are travelling to, then we can offer winners the flexibility to change their dates up to 14 days before they are due to travel. Any notice period less than 14 days and our suppliers will do all they can, reasonably, to move the dates.

 3. Flight cancelled – don’t panic!

If a winning bidders flights are cancelled and they can no longer travel, they will be able to change the dates of the prize with at least 14 days’ notice. Again, any notice period less than 14 days and our suppliers will do all they reasonably can to move confirmed dates.

To give you some inspiration on options available, here are 5 exciting auction items that you could offer supporters for your next fundraising campaign:

For more information, to discuss the above changes in terms or to view our full auction items range, please click below

Posted in Uncategorized

83% of charities still fundraising in 2020

Posted on by Ben Crook

With murmurs of ‘second waves’ and ‘new social distancing’ rules coming into play across the globe, there is understandably some concern and uncertainty regarding fundraising in the Autumn season and throughout the remainder of 2020.

As one of many businesses trying to navigate these murky waters, we decided to send a quick survey to our global clients to gauge the appetite for fundraising for the rest of 2020 and get a feel for what, specifically, our charity clients were focusing on.

Many thanks to all who completed the survey; from over 500 clients we accumulated the below results:

  • 83% of global charities are still looking to fundraise in some capacity in 2020
  • The highest ranking was creating an online fundraising campaign – 35%
  • Hosting a Virtual Gala was next at 22%
  • 18% of our clients are going to host a ‘hybrid’ event – with a small number of guests at a venue and the event / fundraising streamed live to incorporate an online audience
  • 8% of clients are still planning to hold some sort of live event
  • 17% of our clients have decided to put fundraising on hold for 2020 and will no doubt look to make up lost revenue in 2021

Clearly, the will to fundraise and drive crucial revenue is still at the forefront of many charities’ minds, at a time when support for most organisations is absolutely essential.

The good news is from the many online fundraising campaigns and virtual galas we’ve supported since COVID-19 gripped the world, clients have seen some incredible results, with many surpassing funds raised from live charitable events in 2019. In total, our charity clients have raised in excess of US$5.8m since April through our platform alone.


Case Study – Asylum Seekers Resource Centre (Australia)

We believe supporters know their generosity in giving is still crucial to the survival of the causes they love most, and are still passionate about supporting in a time of need.

A great example and recent success story came from the work of the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre in Australia; click here to read more on how they beat their goal by $43,000 with an online fundraising event.

Full stats per Givergy region below. We hope this information is useful to you. Any questions or for support with your own 2020 fundraising campaigns, please click below – we’d be delighted to hear from you.

7 Tips For Online Fundraising Success

Posted on by Ben Crook

Natural disasters and unforeseen circumstances can cause serious ripples throughout the fundraising industry, and we’re certainly seeing that with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given that many of our charity clients rely on in-person events, which are for the most part now impossible to hold, we wanted to zone in on a few of the best practices we suggest to clients for maximizing fundraising online, and how in some cases it can equal (if not surpass) pre-set fundraising goals.

How We Can Help:

We offer a variety of fundraising tools and excel in running campaigns entirely online. It’s cost-effective and allows your supporters to contribute any time and from any place.

In fact, many of our clients have already done this with tremendous success! As an example, using strategic promotions and emphasis on the right team, HOPE International Development Agency raised over $23,000 in the first four hours of opening their online fundraising website. Their dedicated constituents were able to participate in a highly anticipated auction across Canada, creating an impactful atmosphere during these seemingly isolated times.

7 Tips for Online Fundraising Success with Givergy:

Here are a few best practices that we think will help dramatically impact the amount you raise through your virtual event:

1 – Take Advantage of Pre-authorization:

Givergy can require credit card details for auction bidding. This ensures you will have payment details securely stored for anyone who participates in your online auction and simplify your post-event payment collection.

2 – PROMOTE! PROMOTE! PROMOTE!

Use the Internet to your advantage with social media sharing, Facebook and Instagram Live videos, Twitter, your own website, email marketing, co-branding with your sponsors, etc!

Ask your supporters to assist by sending videos or messages that you can share with your audience through your fundraising website. For instance, if you are raising money for specific families in need, ask them to create a video of where the money will go and hyperlink it to that specific page.

Use your volunteers as assets. Ask them to share the website and involve their friends and families.

It’s proven helping others increases happiness levels. You can enable this form of help through online fundraising. It may not be person to person, but it can be just as effective in supporting the causes we care most about.

3 – Choose the Right Team

When it comes to your team, you’ll want to select the right people to be involved. People who have experience marketing and can get the word out – eyes to the site is absolutely crucial.

4 – Give Them a Reason to Come Back

If you’re concerned about low website traffic, you can delay the release of some items and use strategic messaging to drive supporters back to the site. You can create items, have them ready to go, and make them visible at a specific time. You can then send a message to your supporters letting them know new items are available.

5 – Allow Guests to Cover Processing Fees

When using Givergy, by default your guests are given the option to cover the credit card processing fee on your behalf. This could potentially save your organization thousands of dollars and increase your total revenue.

6 – Turn Losing Bids to Donations

When your auction does end, you can message guests who did not win items or make donations through the Givergy platform to ask if they would like to donate.

7 – When and How to ‘End’ the Event

As mentioned, a positive of online fundraising campaigns is you don’t have the same time constraint you otherwise would. You choose when to end your event based on your goals, and our system allows you to send custom ‘thank you’ messages.

Summary:

Due to the impact of COVID-19 we know many businesses and organizations have been forced to function with no in-person contact, online, or close down altogether.

In a drastically different world, Givergy is here to offer support in providing completely virtual events, as fundraising does not have the option of stopping. Although the situation is unprecedently hard, it is a time we can come together and show creativity with how we continue to support the causes we care about.

Our Client Service Managers (CSMs) are constantly speaking with fundraisers globally on how best to apply the suggestions above and Givergy is constantly brainstorming new and improved ideas on fundraising because of it. We are all in this together! And hope we can help you soon.

Any questions or feedback, please do get in touch.

Article contributed by Ashley Missen, Givergy Canada – CSM

The Power of Visual Content for an Online Campaign

Posted on by Ben Crook

Even with traditional forms of media, visual content has always been the most effective. Stacks of magazines, billboards, and back-to-back commercials are proof of that. But marketing campaigns today are adapting with advancing technology. A Digital 2019 report revealed that people spend almost a third of their time online — 6 hours and 42 minutes each day to be precise, with half of that on mobile. For non-profits, that means you can reach more people with your message and create a bigger impact for your community.

However, that’s not exactly an easy task. Hosting online campaigns and virtual fundraising events take a lot of work. This is why you need to focus your resources on what makes the most impact: visual content.

Why Visual Content Works

Thanks to social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, online marketing campaigns are dominated by images and videos. These are the fundamental types of content you have to master, as an iScribbler infographic points out that the brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text. That means a quick video update is likely to hold a viewer’s attention better than a long essay or speech. This is especially true within the context of a virtual event or online fundraising campaign, where short sharp info is key to achieving your fundraising goals.

Instagram and YouTube are big players. But don’t feel restrained by these two because digital media is continuing to evolve. Maryville University describes the digital media industry as hybrid, because it now requires technical skill as much as creativity. The use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in marketing and fundraising campaigns is just one example. These succeed in creating immersive and unforgettable experiences for viewers.

It’s exactly what you want to achieve in your own online fundraising campaign — pique a person’s interest with visuals, tell your story in a compelling way, and elicit an emotional response. Stories have a way of evoking emotions and these are what drive people to act.

How to Tell Your Story

Highly advanced tools like VR and AR may not be accessible to all, which is not a problem as long as your message is simple but also creative. These steps should help you hone your storytelling skills:

1. Return to Your Message

The heart of every charity may be pure but many fail in promoting their cause. This is often caused by a failure in creating a clear mission statement. Before starting on your online fundraising campaign, clarify your message first by asking these questions: What is that your campaign trying to solve? Who are the communities affected? And finally, how can people help?

2. Create a Story Outline

Knowing the answers to the questions above is the first step in planning a well-informed online campaign. You now have a conflict and a mission. All the story needs are the cape-wearing protagonists. That’s where the donors come in.

When planning a video, for example, you should always feature a call to action. Include details on how people can donate to the cause. More importantly, be transparent in what their support can do. Highlight the actionable outcomes their donation will afford and why this is so important to you as a charity.

3. Share Valuable Content

With creativity and skill, the possibilities with visual storytelling are endless. However, you have to make sure that what you’re sharing is relevant to your message and valuable to your viewer.

It is important to consider the audience who will be viewing the content you create. If you are hosting a virtual gala or event there will need to be careful consideration around what content you are sharing with those attending. Your time with a captive audience is limited and you need to make the most of it. For example, are the guests loyal followers of the charity and support year on year or is it a corporate event viewed by individuals who are new to the charity? Much like you would plan your physical event around this, you need to take the same things into consideration for a virtual gala and the related content.

4. Be Consistent

Posting consistently is the key to keeping your supporters engaged. Share updates on the progress of your project or how close (or far) you are from achieving your online fundraising goal. Givergy’s guide to maximizing virtual fundraisings highlights the importance of sticking to a schedule, especially if you’re planning a longer campaign. Being consistent with your posts is great practice for your digital media arm, too. More importantly, it’s an effective way of keeping the momentum going, and eventually, reaching your goal.

Article contributed by Danica Morgan

Solely for Givergy

Posted in Uncategorized

6 things to consider for Auction Items during COVID-19

Posted on by Ben Crook

A number of our clients have been asking for advice on auction items for their online fundraising campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response we thought we’d drop down some key points as we see them for auction items selection at this time.

1 – Think local:

Your supporters may be nervous bidding on auction items that require international travel, so staying local is a safe bet / a necessity right now. Here are some example options to consider when selecting supplied items, or trying to procure donations:

Dinner party in your own home – Always a best-selling item for us, providing you and your friends with a professional culinary experience in your own home

Staycations – Hotels with experiences onsite, or cottage breaks with outdoor activities as part of the package, will be very attractive to bidders

Private dining – As restaurants (safely) reopen, bidders will be keen to eat out but also with friends and in a controlled environment

At home taster experiences – Wine, champagne and gin tastings in your own home; more great options for bidders to consider

National parks – Lodge stays, adventure experiences, animal observation and ski trips should all prove popular                                        

2 – Memorabilia:

We have seen a resurgence in memorabilia over the past few weeks, especially as many charities tap into celebrity ambassadors to support them. Many donors are bidding on signed sporting items, photographs and even pieces used on stage or on camera; so don’t be afraid to ask your supporters for help. In addition, we have a substantial range of auction memorabilia including sports, historical, music and art, the latter being of particular interest as home renovation projects soar during this ‘stay at home’ time.

3 – Art:

Art has been a constantly growing category over the past few years and right now we are seeing so many online art auctions going live. You have so many options available to procure these, many charities are teaming up directly with upcoming artists and agreeing on a structure which benefits the artist and you the charity.

4 – Include delivery as standard:

Given that many fundraising events are now running online as specific campaigns or virtual galas, it’s important to include delivery of auction items as standard. We have been doing this for years, finding it the safer option as winners can get a little carried away on the way home from an event. Work with a courier service to provide a price that covers nationwide. And we recommend you include this within the starting price of the item, explaining within the description that delivery is included. This will make the item more attractive and remove any concerns bidders may have.

5 – Extended validity:

We process thousands of auction item vouchers a year and acted quickly to support our clients’ winners. By immediately working with our suppliers to extend their terms, it now means guests can take prizes in 2021, giving two years validity. The reaction was fantastic and gave guests the peace of mind they needed. To increase participation and drive bidding up, it’s important to ensure any holiday/experience you now offer has extended validity during this current time.

6 – International travel will return!

International breaks and experiences always drive high numbers in terms of participation and charity profit! If you can procure them and with extended validity and flexibility, they absolutely should still feature in your online fundraising campaign. Ensure terms are clear at the top of the description, as this will be the first question raised from the donor. In addition, while times are tough for travel there will undoubtedly be some attractive deals out there, so get searching!

Online fundraising and auction item selection isn’t rocket science, but that extra 10-20% participation really can make all the difference! So, we hope the above is useful and answers a few questions. As ever if you have any comments or further questions, please do get in touch.

Understanding Matching Gifts: Top 4 Insights for Nonprofits

Posted on by Ben Crook

These days, nonprofits need all the revenue they can get. Luckily, corporate philanthropy is at an all-time high, and companies big and small are looking to leave their marks on causes they care about. What’s the top way they accomplish this you ask? Matching gifts, of course!

Matching gifts have the power to transform your nonprofit’s fundraising strategy. They can effectively double (sometimes even triple!) the donations you’re already receiving. When donors know that their impact can potentially multiply without having to reach back into their pockets, they’re much more likely to express their philanthropic desires.

Even with the tremendous potential that matching gifts represent, many nonprofits overlook them in their fundraising strategies. Either they simply don’t understand the process, or worse, they don’t even know the opportunity exists.

To guide you through the process, we’ve compiled a number of industry best practices to maximize matching gifts across your organization.

1) Educate your staff and donors on matching gifts.

To fulfill your matching gift potential, you must start internally. First and foremost, it’s imperative that your leadership and staff understand them in full. Then, they can effectively advocate for matching gifts, relay information, and answer any questions donors and prospects may have.

Simply put, corporate philanthropy refers to the social and philanthropic initiatives that companies launch. It’s a way for businesses to give back to their communities and make an impact on worthy causes. Most commonly, they accomplish this through sponsorships, partnerships, grants, and employee giving programs.

For nonprofits of all sizes, employee giving programs are the most accessible form of corporate philanthropy. Companies create these programs as a way to generate positive PR and to encourage employees to become more well-rounded individuals. While corporate giving programs encompass a range of programs, matching gifts represent your biggest opportunity for growth.

Matching gifts are a specific type of corporate giving program in which a company matches its employees’ donations to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. Acquiring these funds is a fairly straightforward process. Simplified with dedicated matching gift tools, here’s how the process typically looks:

Step 1: A donor makes a gift to your nonprofit.

Step 2: They check their eligibility for their employer’s program.

Step 3: If eligible, they submit a request for a match to their employer.

Step 4: The company reviews the request and confirms the gift with your nonprofit.

Step 5: The employer sends the match to your organization.

It’s as simple as that! While the process is fairly straightforward, each company sets its own stipulations around its matching gift policy, making it a bit more complicated. Let’s take a look at requirements commonly covered in companies’ guidelines:

– Match ratio: This is the rate at which donations are matched. Most of these are at a 1:1 rate, meaning the initial donation will be doubled. Some employers match at a lower rate, while others will go as high as 5:1!

-Match amounts: Companies set minimum and maximum donation thresholds for the gifts they’ll match. The average minimum amount is around $25 while maximum amounts often range between $10,000 and $25,000.

-Employee eligibility: This indicates which employees are eligible to participate in the program. Usually, these are based on position or status with the company (i.e., part-time, full-time, or retired).

-Nonprofit eligibility: More often than not, companies place restrictions on which organizations are eligible to receive funding as well. This enables them to contribute to the cause that they care the most about.

Knowing the ins-and-outs of these impactful programs enables your nonprofit to make the most of your revenue and engagement opportunities.

2) Promote matching gifts across all communications.

Now that you know the matching gift basics, it’s time to spread the word. To do this, incorporate appeals across all of your communications. Studies have found that employing multiple approaches to identifying match-eligible donors results in 77% more identified match-eligible donations, according to this corporate giving statistics page. In other words, the more communication channels you use, the more visibility matching gifts will receive.

Let’s discuss how you can tie matching gifts into your current communications:

-A dedicated matching gift page. Your website is a great way to kick off the conversation about matching gifts. Create a well-designed matching gifts page that features information on what matching gifts are, how they launch your organization’s efforts forward, and what the typical steps in the process are. Embedding a search tool for donors to easily check their eligibility is a smart move for this page, too.

-Email newsletters. You’re likely sending newsletters on a regular basis, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly. This is a great opportunity to promote matching gifts! Consider sending an email about the opportunity, crafting a small section about it, or even dedicating an entire newsletter to it. In any case, make sure to explain what matching gifts are and how supporters can participate. As you start crafting your emails, use these effective matching gift letter templates by Fundraising Letters to guide your efforts.

– Direct mail. While most supporters prefer online communications, nothing replaces the authenticity of direct mail. Anytime you send tangible communications, include a paper insert highlighting matching gifts. Ensure it’s eye-catching, straightforward, and persuasive.

-Educational resources. Producing in-depth content on matching gifts is a great way to generate long-term value for your organization. Provide supporters with all the resources they need, so they fully understand the value of matching gifts. For instance, create compelling blog posts about the process and tell emotional stories about how matching gifts have impacted your mission.

To promote matching gifts to the fullest extent, you need to develop a dedicated strategy in your communications plan. The above suggestions are just a handful of the many ways you can promote matching gifts. Whether you encourage word-of-mouth marketing or rely on social media to get the job done, get creative in your approach and market them whenever possible.

When you let donors know their potential impact through matching gifts, they’ll be much more likely to do everything they can to grow their impact – especially since it comes at no extra cost to them.

3) Tie matching gifts into your special events.

It may come as a surprise, but many companies that offer matching gifts will also match in-person donations made at special events. Whether you’re hosting a gala or a 5K, matching gifts are one major way you can energize supporters and maximize their engagement at your fundraising events.

You could potentially double the revenue you’re earning at your event with a few simple steps:

-Add matching gift information to your ticketing form. One of the first places supporters will encounter your event is your registration form. Make sure registrants know about their opportunities right off the bat by including a short paragraph on your ticketing form. Keep it short and simple—just enough to pique their interest but not so much that it intimidates them. Then, invite them to research their eligibility by linking to your matching gift database.

-Include matching gifts on event promotion materials. After registrants sign up for your event, they’ll feel compelled to share their excitement with their friends. Make sure to include information on your marketing materials that will capture attention. This could include eye-catching images, statistics, and major employers in your area that offer match programs.

-Encourage participation in corporate philanthropy at your event. Since you’ll have everyone’s attention, this is the perfect opportunity to make an announcement about matching gifts. At the very minimum, hand out an informational flyer, but also consider hosting a live demo on the event’s big screen. If any of your sponsors are in attendance, ask a representative to speak about their own matching gift program and answer any questions donors may have.

Once any major event wraps up, remember to highlight matching gifts in your follow-up emails as well. Lack of awareness is a major obstacle to overcome. By simply making a short announcement about matching gifts at your events, you can potentially grow your revenue with ease!

4) Streamline the process with dedicated technology.

Handling matching gifts manually slows down the process and leaves room for human error. Instead, your team should invest in dedicated matching gift software.

As matching gift programs have expanded, some software providers in the nonprofit fundraising space have developed dedicated matching gift technology. In order to properly leverage matching gifts, you’ll need to invest in technology to pinpoint all opportunities. By leveraging a database, your team will efficiently accomplish the following:

-Locate and engage with match-eligible donors.

-Keep up with where they are in the match process.

-Quickly access companies’ guidelines and requirements.

Think of it this way: why wouldn’t your donors want to increase their donations without reaching back into their own pockets?

By outsourcing time-consuming work to a dedicated platform, your team will increase matching gift knowledge, streamline the identification and submission process, and overall grow revenue. Plus, your donors will feel much more crucial to your cause by increasing their impact.

As you start to incorporate matching gifts into your day-to-day strategies, keep these industry best practices in mind. From marketing to event planning, make sure your team is leveraging matching gifts every step of the way.

It’s time to claim your portion of the $4-7 billion that goes unclaimed in matching gifts per year. Now that you’re well-versed in matching gifts, start prioritizing them and rallying up support. You’ll grow revenue and boost donor engagement in no time!

Guest blog: Adam Weinger from Double the Donation

How to maximise fundraising through your virtual campaign!

Posted on by Ben Crook

In the age of technology, it’ll take more than a virus to halt the fundraising train! Whilst physical events are off the cards, many charities are finding huge success by combining live streaming services like YouTube Live, with fundraising platforms such as Givergy. Through these, they’re able to beam a full, live run-of-show straight into their donors’ living rooms, creating an interactive, fun and competitive environment ripe for fundraising. These ‘virtual events’ are a perfect and novel way to maintain charitable income whilst respecting social distancing guidelines.

Think About Time Frames

We recommend considering two options here. Firstly, the ‘virtual event’ described above, where the focus of the fundraising is on a live-streamed 1-2hr window, designed to emulate the traditional gala dinner.

The second is a longer campaign, spread over a week or more and with no ‘virtual event’ at the end. The success of these relies on regular and engaging communication with your donor base throughout, ensuring that momentum is maintained from start to end. You could, for example, hold a silent auction across the length of the campaign, punctuated with a ‘pledge push’ on one day and a prize draw on another!

Donor Matching

Having one, particularly generous donor who volunteers to double the amount raised – often up to a given maximum value – is a great way to boost your profits and spur your other supporters on. In the absence of a regular ‘match funder’, perhaps look through the giving history of your regular donors to identify a potential candidate? Even if it’s somebody who gives a consistent amount each year, outside of your physical event, why not see if they’ll link it in with your online campaign and help push others to give at their limit, too!

Adapt Your Auction Item Collection

With most of us confined to our living rooms, the prospect of holidays to far-flung locations likely won’t whet your donors’ appetite in the way it did a month ago. So, if an online auction is part of your ‘virtual event’ or campaign, you might want to think carefully about which items you offer or, more importantly, the key terms and conditions which accompany them. For example, a holiday to the South of France to be taken by September 2020 would likely be deemed a rather risqué bid; whereas the same package with a year’s extension to September 2021 suddenly becomes a different proposition entirely. If your struggling to source what you need from your regular donors, drop Givergy a line and we’ll happily talk you through our extensive collection of auction items.

Create A Buzz

Now, more than ever, charities need their donors to step forward and give generously, but creating buzz and hype in the absence of a live event can be a daunting prospect. Do you have access to celebrity ambassadors or patrons who might be able to join in? Could they record a message which you could send out with the campaign, or could they part of your live-streamed ‘virtual event’? We’d be more than happy to lend our minds to helping you come up with a creative solution, so drop us a line if you’d like to chat.

If you would like to learn more about how we can support your fundraising needs, please get in touch, we’d love to help.

Contact us

A giving story by Made by Momma for #GivingTuesday!

Posted on by Ben Crook

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving. A day where everyone, everywhere can do something to support the good causes and communities that mean something to them. It is a day to celebrate and encourage giving in all its forms across the globe!

Continue reading “A giving story by Made by Momma for #GivingTuesday!”