Nonprofit life has transformed in the past few months, and so have fundraising strategies. Nonprofits are canceling in-person fundraisers and updating the ways they connect with their communities. The world is connecting virtually, and we’ve collected some resources to help you plan for your next online giving campaign.
GiveBIG 2020
GiveBIG is a statewide program to facilitate online donations to nonprofits organized by 501 Commons, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. This event is open to IRS tax-exempt organizations serving and headquartered in Washington State. Through GiveBIG, nonprofits raise funds online and connect with new donors. In 2019, 20% of donors reported that they were making a first-time gift. 501 Commons provides training, tools, and support so nonprofits of all sizes and missions are successful.
This year, given the impacts of the coronavirus on Washington’s nonprofits, GiveBIG will be a two-day online giving event from May 5-6. 501 Commons is partnering with #GivingTuesdayNow’s global generosity movement as an official GivingTuesday Community Campaign. Early Giving will also start earlier, on April 15. Donors will have more time to make their gifts.
Registration for participating nonprofits closes on April 29, 2020. See the eligibility and registration page for more information and to participate.
Get Ready for GiveBIG informational webinar
Fundraising expert Jim Shapiro from The Better Fundraising Co. presented this 1-hour webinar on giving days in 2017. Watch for ideas about what you should be planning one month out, one week out, and as the campaign is going on. The webinar covers strategy and practical application of that strategy, as well as communications from print to social media.
Resilient Fundraising Strategies
Laura Pierce (Washington Nonprofits) and Rebecca Zanatta (The Ostara Group) presented What Am I Supposed to Do About My Fundraising Event? on March 9, 2020. Watch this 1-hour webinar for ideas about how to convert your fundraiser to an online fundraising campaign. Visit the event planning and COVID-19 page for materials and resources referenced in the webinar.
These online fundraising strategies might not just be for now. You’ll probably be connecting with your community virtually more often in the coming years. That means you’ll see donations come through online sources.
Now is a great time to develop skills around online fundraising. This means becoming familiar with the necessary technology and thinking about your online messaging. What does your organization represent? What change do you want to see? How can you replicate important connections that often happen in-person, in a virtual environment?
More Resources from Washington Nonprofits
- Coronavirus Response Resources for Nonprofits
- COVID-19 and Your Nonprofit Finances
- Archived webinars on the Washington Nonprofit Institute page about fundraising
- Archived webinars on the Washington Nonprofit Institute page about nonprofits and COVID-19