Rallying Your Digital Audience for Charity Events
In the face of the ongoing pandemic, a non-profit organisation took a bold step by moving their annual charity run online, transforming the event into a virtual experience that attracted over 1,000 participants from different regions.
The virtual event, aimed at raising funds for mental health awareness, offered participants the flexibility to join from the comfort of their homes. Local businesses generously sponsored the event, and participants shared their progress on social media using a specific hashtag, creating a sense of community and camaraderie.
The virtual run/walk was organised using RunSignUp for registration and Strava for activity tracking, allowing participants to easily log their progress and connect with one another. High levels of engagement were observed on social media, with participants sharing photos and stories about their runs, further boosting the event's reach.
The success of the virtual charity run was evident in the fact that it exceeded its fundraising goal by 50%. This achievement was made possible by the effective use of online platforms that allowed for easy tracking of participant engagement and donation metrics.
The organisation's best practices for planning, promoting, and executing successful virtual fundraising events were instrumental in the event's success. These strategies included defining the target audience, choosing the type and format of the event, leveraging social media for promotion, and making the event interactive and engaging.
In addition to the charity run, the organisation also hosted live workout sessions and motivational talks leading up to the event, and organised virtual game nights, live streamed concerts, and online auctions to further engage participants and boost fundraising efforts.
By eliminating venue rentals, travel, and accommodation costs, virtual fundraising events proved to be cost-effective, making them an attractive option for organisations looking to raise funds in these challenging times.
References:
- Nonprofit Tech for Good
- Classy
- CrowdRise
- Fundraising Success
- Bloomerang
The virtual charity run was organized using technology platforms like RunSignUp and Strava, facilitating easy registration, activity tracking, and connection among participants. Virtual game nights, live streamed concerts, and online auctions were also hosted, further engaging participants and increasing fundraising efforts.
The success of the event and the adoption of virtual fundraising strategies by the organization were largely due to the strategic leverage of technology and online resources for planning, promotion, and engagement.
