Virtual fundraising ideas
Raising money through a virtual fundraiser is a powerful way to get more supporters involved in your cause—anyone around the globe can join and donate! The possibilities are endless when it comes to online fundraising ideas, but we’ve assembled a list of favorites, including virtual happy hours, livestream telethons, and book clubs, to help get your own digital party started.
VIP cushioned seats sale
24-hour marathon
Great livestream activity ideas include a poetry slam, gaming tournament, or virtual concert.
Thrifty fashion show
Improv night
Trivia night
Make the evening go even smoother with seamless attendee check-ins and easy payment options like Tap to pay, Venmo donations, and scan-to-donate.
Pet costume contest
Desk plant sale
Concert for a cause
Want to make sure everyone can listen in and donate, no matter where they are? Livestream your concert to the masses and enable people to contribute to your campaign without leaving the stream.
Spaghetti dinner
Oktoberfest
This fall festival idea is a great way to raise funds for your cause and give your supporters an exciting day out.
The guessing game
Use scan-to-donate to send guessers directly to your donation page for easy on-the-spot giving. Print the QR code onto a poster, or display it on a tablet or screen on your stand.
Halloween costume run
At the end, award the winners of the race, the teams or individuals who raised the most, and, of course, the best dressed with special prizes.
Literary pub crawl
To take this fundraising event further, arrange to have each watering hole feature a special cocktail or brew (with some non-alcoholic beverages in the mix!) to match your theme.
Membership drive
One for one pledge
Showcase this cycle of generosity on your donation forms using custom labels and donation amounts to make it clear you’ll be making an in-kind donation for every monetary donation received.
Garage sale
Use our free email marketing software to send a big launch email with all the details, then send reminders closer to the day of the sale.
Sponsor a stud
Fantasy football draft festival
Farmer’s market
Swim-a-thon
Pumpkin Games
Pool volleyball tournament
March Madness
To take this fundraising idea online, take advantage of livestreaming tools, too!
Frequently asked questions
What is a virtual fundraiser?
A virtual or online fundraiser is a campaign or event created to raise money for a good cause that happens entirely on the World Wide Web. While using the Internet to raise funds has been happening for quite some time, this strategy became even more popular during the pandemic when in-person events were prohibited and social distancing was a must.
Unlike in-person fundraising, virtual fundraisers allow people to participate from wherever they are using their computers, phones, or other mobile devices. It's like bringing the fundraising party to your living room! You can connect with others online and support a good cause without having to leave the comfort of your own home.
How can I raise money virtually?
Good causes can raise money online through various channels, such as donation pages, peer-to-peer fundraising, or crowdfunding campaigns, as well as events like livestream concerts, talent shows, and auctions.
Some of the best virtual fundraising event ideas leverage social media (Facebook Live, social media takeovers, etc.), email campaigns, and text-to-donate tools to bring in more donations. Corporate sponsorships, partnerships with local businesses, matching gift programs, and online merchandise sales can also help boost virtual fundraising efforts, too.
What is the best online fundraising site?
The top fundraising sites include popular options like Givebutter, GoFundMe, Fundly, Kickstarter, and Donorbox. Each platform offers different features, fees, and support, so it's important to research and choose the one that aligns best with your fundraising goals and needs.
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