The coronavirus, COVID-19, is causing widespread alarm across\nthe globe. The illness has disrupted manufacturing, caused major stock market\nvolatility, and shut down concerts and other major events. Chances are good\nthat both your development staff and your event participants are concerned\nabout COVID-19. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a time when many employers encourage their staff to work\nfrom home and avoid crowds, your organization may be considering canceling your\nevent. We encourage you to err on the side of caution and cancel any events\nthat could pose a risk to your donors\u2014especially if cancelling large events is\nrecommended by health authorities in your area. In fact, Washington State\nGovernor Jay Inslee is implementing a state-wide ban of events with an expected\nattendance of over 250 people. Your donors will appreciate your efforts to keep\nthem safe even if you cancel an event they were looking forward to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what do you do in the event you have to cancel your fundraising event? Here are our tips to overcoming event cancellations due to coronavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some events can easily be transitioned to an online event. For instance, if you\u2019re hosting a 5K race, you can transition to a virtual 5K<\/a> and ask participants to track their progress at home and report their results to your organization. Postpone the physical event until COVID-19 has been contained and no longer poses the threat of a pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Connect with fundraising participants for the live events and ask if they\u2019d agree to hold the event online and fundraise digitally on behalf of your organization. They could raise funds via their own unique personal or team fundraising pages or set up Facebook fundraisers directed toward your nonprofit. You\u2019ll need to ensure your organization is set up to accept donations via Facebook to make Facebook fundraisers work for your organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can make your Facebook Event Page your event information headquarters. Share regular updates with participants and supporters. Award fundraisers for reaching fundraising milestones by shouting them out on Facebook. Let them know that despite not having a physical event, their efforts are being noticed and appreciated. Promise to hold the event later in the year (if possible) when the risks posed by coronavirus are minimized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your fundraising event requires in-person attendance and\nyou\u2019re wary of creating an opportunity for coronavirus to spread, postpone the\nevent until a different time of year when the threat has been minimized. In the\nmeantime, you can replace the planned event with an interactive fundraising\ncampaign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Develop an appeal to raise funds for the cause the event would have supported. Reach out to those who registered or regularly support the event and let them know that despite postponing the event, you still need their support to fund your program(s). Implement a multi-channel appeal. Send a direct mail appeal, email and text your contact lists, and post about your campaign regularly on Facebook. To execute this campaign as effectively as possible, take the opportunity to build in chances to interact with your supporters. Create thank-you videos and video updates (these can be recorded on your mobile phone) and send out links to videos and share them on social media. Invite your supporters to interact with you, too! Ask your supporters questions via social media or quiz them on what they know about your nonprofit and the problem(s) you address. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The coronavirus outbreak has been problematic for more than\njust health reasons. This illness has caused a disruption in the production of\ngoods manufactured in China and has been incredibly detrimental to the stock\nmarket. Many of your supporters\u2014particularly your major donors\u2014may need to hold\noff on making donations until the economy is more stable. This uncertainty can\nmake people feel unsure about giving to your organization in case they need\nthose funds to respond to an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you wait for the economy to stabilize, don\u2019t ignore\nyour supporters. Instead, reach out to long-time supporters to check in with\nthem, see how they\u2019re doing, and ask if they can support you in a way that\ncosts them nothing but a little time. Ask if they can share the story of how\nthey came to support your organization, ask if they\u2019ve been affected by the\nwork your organization does, and ask if you can share their story as a\ntestimonial on your website or in your donor newsletter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This strategy helps you by providing social proof that your\nnonprofit is worthy of supporting. People tend to think highly of organizations\nthat were rated favorably by real people asked for their opinion. More than\nthat, calling to check in on your donors and have a conversation will put you\nat the top of their minds when it\u2019s time for them to start giving again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, nonprofit thought leader, Claire Axelrad, cited an experiment by Penelope Burk that found a connection between donor thank-you calls and increased giving from donors. This experiment found that by calling to thank donors within 48 hours of their gift, \u201cthose called gave an average of 39% more than those not called\u2014 and they gave 42% more even after 14 months!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n If it\u2019s prudent to cancel your fundraising events, prioritize your donor retention efforts in their place. You may find that just by calling, thanking your supporters, and wishing them well during the coronavirus outbreak you will be rewarded with a long-lasting relationship and more gifts in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the coronavirus outbreak causes you to cancel your\nevents, know that there are ways to keep moving forward despite this challenge.\nDon\u2019t put supporters at risk by refusing to postpone or cancel an event that\ncould put them in contact with the coronavirus. Instead, host what events you\ncan digitally and replace events with a multi-channel fundraising campaign. For\nmajor donors, the stock market\u2019s volatility makes giving a risky prospect.\nInstead of making asks, prioritize donor cultivation and relationship building.\nYou can ask for a testimonial or just call to check in and let your major\ndonors know you care about their wellbeing during the outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget! Qgiv\u2019s here to help, too. For advice on setting up an effective fundraising campaign to make up for cancelled events, or to find alternative ways to host your events digitally, email support@qgiv.com<\/a> or give us a call at 888-855-9595.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your fundraising needs are changing, and we’re here to support you during this difficult time. Many organizations are shifting their in-person events to virtual formats and utilizing mobile giving and text messaging to engage their donors. If you’d like to learn more about how Qgiv’s tools can help you continue to raise vital funds while keeping you and your donors safe, please contact us\u2014we’re here to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPostpone events and transition to interactive fundraising campaigns<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Ask supporters to help in other ways<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n