10 Fundraising FAQS Nonprofits Need to Know During COVID-19

In the face of changing fundraising realities due to COVID-19, we want to arm your nonprofit with fundraising facts every organization needs to know to continue fundraising. We’ve pulled together the following FAQs for you and your team to help you navigate this challenging time:

What’s the latest health threat level?
Are the mandatory public event bans in my area too?
How far out should we plan for in-person event disruptions?
What are my contractual obligations to vendors?
What are my other fundraising options?
If I am a OneCause customer how can I use my software?
How fast can I create a virtual fundraiser?
What resources are there on virtual fundraising?
What technology tools are available?
What if my event isn’t till Summer or Fall?

Let’s dive in and answer some these questions on fundraising during the corona virus pandemic.

1. What’s the latest health threat level?

With the ever-changing health information available on COVID-19, we recommend keeping a close eye on the following sites for the latest information: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

2. Are the mandatory public event bans in my area?

The best place to find public ban information in your area is through your local Department of Health and following directives from the Governors Office.

3. How far out should we plan for in-person event disruptions?

Given the continued threat level of COVID-19, we recommend making contingency plans for all events this year, paying close attention to government guidelines. The good news, there are easy to execute best practices for both virtual and hybrid fundraisers. We encourage nonprofits to be thinking about options for virtual and onsite events. That way, you’ll be ready to make the necessary decisions and have a set plan in place for your teams to carry forward your very important mission.

4. What are my contractual obligations to vendors?

In many cases vendors may be enacting the force majeure clause in their contracts depending on the local and regional government regulations. We highly recommend working with your vendors with whom you have contracts as early as possible. As partners, determining a plan of action, reviewing your options, and understanding cancellation policies and reschedule options is critical. Everyone is in this situation together and working to help one another.

5. What are my other fundraising options?

Don’t worry, there are many fundraising options available for you to consider. As a fundraiser, coming up with creative ways to engage donors is your forte. The most important thing to remember is that your supporters will be there for you. Here are a few options to consider:

Postpone your Onsite Event: Some nonprofits have shifted their event to the Fall fundraising season depending on their annual fundraising calendar. We recommend being mindful of the many venues that could be over-booked during this time and consider a virtual component in the interim just so you have options.
Online Auctions & Virtual Events: Many nonprofits are getting creative and going online during this time. The use of live streaming and virtual technology promotes interactivity, engagement, online bidding, donations, and more.
Online Appeals: For those trying to raise funds for a specific appeal, you can easily take “the ask” online, encourage ambassadors, leaderboards and awards. Text thank you messages and more.
Mobile Donations: A text-based solution can you help mobilize your cause and accept donations quickly and efficiently.
Peer-to-Peer Virtual Campaigns: With DIY social fundraising you can unleash creativity and inspire giving among peer networks. Your supporters can fundraise “their way” by creating challenges, donating occasions and personalizing their passion for your cause.
Summer Fundraising: With the summer fast approaching, there’s a lot of fundraising ideas to consider beyond the spring season. We’ve created a guide filled with great ideas and best practice for your summer fundraising. Looking for ideas to heat up your summer fundraising? Explore this guide of 15 Hot Outdoor Ideas to Make Fundraising Simple.

6. If I am a OneCause customer how can I use my software?

The great thing about being a OneCause customer (outside of feeling loved) is that you have access to your Fundraising Software Subscription year-round. You can host an online event, collect donations, host a silent/live auction, sell fixed price/raffle tickets and more. Depending on your software subscription, you can utilize texting, online giving and peer-to-peer social fundraising campaigns. For questions or how you can best utilize your software subscription year-round, we’re here to help.

7. How fast can I create a virtual fundraiser?

Depending on your event date and organization’s planned fundraising activities, you can spin up a virtual fundraiser pretty quickly. Our team of OneCause consultants and virtual event managers can provide you with best practices, fundraising strategies, online resources and more to make the transition an easy one.

If you are a current customer, please feel free to reach out to your Consultant or call Support at 888-418-0983 or support@onecause.com. For those of you new to OneCause, you can reach us at 888-475-5214 or schedule a time to set up a consultation with one of our team members.

8. What resources are there on virtual fundraising?

In this unprecedented situation, we’ve got you covered and are here to help you navigate your options. We’re committed to helping you and your community navigate the road ahead and have pulled together a comprehensive coronavirus fundraising resource center that includes:

Virtual Fundraising Guides – Help ease the switch from onsite to online, and check out our Nonprofit Virtual Fundraising Guide here.
Helpful Webinars & Videos – Insightful multi-media and live conversations.
Nonprofit Success Stories – Learn from others who have successfully pivoted their fundraising during these times.

9. What technology tools are available?

There are so many great tools out there to help you quickly spin up your virtual event. engage and create a community among your supporters

Virtual Event Center – OneCause livsetream and fundraising platform
Live Stream – Facebook live, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype
Video – YouTube, Vidyard, Wistia
Graphic Design – Canva, Easl, Snappa, Adobe Spark
Fundraising Software – Online auction, mobile bidding, text-based, peer-to-peer

10. What if my event isn’t till Summer or Fall?

We encourage all nonprofit organizations to be thinking about options to have a combination between virtual and onsite events. That way, you’ll be ready to make the necessary decisions and have a set plan in place for your teams to execute on for your important mission.

Plan ahead and ensure your current software solution can enable you onsite, online and virtual. Recommend reading and watching for success stories from those that have had to move their onsite event online. There’s lots of creativity happening in the fundraising space and the great news is we’re seeing initial success with groups that have moved their onsite events to virtual during this time.

Not Done? Keep Learning with OneCause!

For more information on virtual fundraising, be sure to check out these additional resources: