On Monday, 4,367 miles away and 5 hours ahead, I participated in a fundraising event for the Women’s Fund of Hawai`i. It was an inspirational evening supporting women and girls - a cause I’ve been close to for many years. And, I was “there” (thanks to nonprofit technology) even though I’ve never been to Hawai`i. How? I participated by watching a livestream of the event with the social media activity, donation totals and mobile donation activity updating real time on the site. Additionally, through the live stream I could see the large screen in the event venue showing the fundraising thermometer and social information to guests. What does that mean? Here’s one example: As I watched the event, the emcees were having a heck of time quieting the room of mostly women -- it was funny so I tweeted the following:
A few seconds later, my tweet was showing on the large screen at the front of the room and I saw a guest point to it. Later, as the executive director spoke, I entered a large donation which caused the total funds raised (also prominently displayed on the screen in the room) to jump. The room clapped and cheered and I (4,367 miles away) smiled with them. Sixty-four others were watching online too. Connected Event Fundraising.
Here are 5 Elements of Event Fundraising’s Future:
Connectivity - This is literal. Events must be connected to an online community in some form whether it is via social media, livestream, interconnected giving or peer to peer sharing. As nonprofits consider new fundraising ideas, the fundraising software used at the event must be a consideration. Without event technology, the event is limited to a micro-community of supporters which isn’t the reality of the world today.
Friends and supporters everywhere. It’s a small world. Right? Increasingly (and in large part due to social media) we are connected with friends, activities and causes everywhere. For example, I know where the mayor of Burlington, VT (1,232 miles away) had coffee this morning. As of the last Pew Report, 4 in 10 adults reported that the place they consider ‘home’ is not the place they are living now. Would you give to a cause in your home town? Of course. How often are you able to connect via event software with those causes?
Recognition that our causes are connected. People all over the country give generously to similar causes and, yet, we seldom reach beyond our close knit guests or community to recognize that our causes are inter-related. Poverty, Sex trafficking, Cancer, Heart Disease -- very few of the causes we support can be solved by a single community. These causes and the impact of our fundraising is a collective effort and the nonprofits that recognize the collective power of giving across communities will position themselves for greater impact.
Fun - online and off. It goes without saying but I will. Events, even if participants are online, need to be fun or rewarding for the guest in some way. Don’t lose the fun factor just because it's online fundraising during an event.
Excellent Event Programs. As our events become more connected and expand beyond our communities, there will be greater pressure on the event program. No longer will we be satisfied by a video that looks like all others or the traditional board chair ‘ask’ at the end. As we are able to participate in events everywhere, it will undoubtedly raise the bar on what an excellent event program can be. This is good.
The introduction of fundraising technology to events mitigates many of the risks associated with event participation like transportation issues, weather, competing events and age/health barriers. However, beyond the obvious and short term returns, it has the potential to connect us and our causes in a special way that can inspire greater philanthropy. When a woman in Hawai`i gives $30,000 at an event, it sets the bar for women in other communities but it only happens if we are CONNECTING them.
