Virtually Amazing: Fundraising in a Pandemic
Snapshots from the Center for Enriched Living’s first-ever virtual fundraiser.
“You really seem like you’re in your element and that you’re enjoying your work,” a client said shortly after we ended their first-ever virtual fundraiser LIVE from their kitchen.
It’s a high compliment for us at Forever Ready Productions. When our passion and purpose meet an opportunity to help a nonprofit continue to do great work, we’re totally in our element.
Over the last three months, it’s felt like everything has been cancelled. And at times, like the work ahead is impossible. But just because we can’t gather in person, doesn’t mean we can’t gather. It doesn’t mean we can’t have community, and it doesn’t mean we can’t support a good cause.
In our case, it means we get to lean heavily on two of our core values: collaboration and creativity.
In late March, amidst a particularly difficult week of cancelled events and projects, Allison decided to add fundraising events to our calendar in an effort to have something to look forward to. A possibility to attend, support and connect with new nonprofits in Chicago.
Many of those event dates came and went. But one in particular caught my eye: The Center For Enriched Living’s Chefs’ Night was originally scheduled for early May. When I saw it on the calendar I clicked on the link to learn more. That’s when I discovered it had been moved to a virtual event (as expected), but there were no details.
Traditionally, the event attracts more than 700 people and raises more than $500,000. But with the impacts of COVID-19 and the inability to safely gather, CEL had to rethink everything from programming to fundraising.
We proposed an event with a host, LIVE demonstration, and a beautiful Forever Ready-style testimony added to help people connect.
That turned into an hour-long LIVE event inside CEL’s teaching kitchen. The LIVE event featured stories of impact from home, a cocktail demo, and Barilla’s Chef Tim cooking up a fantastic chicken pasta dish.. Their goal: raise $51,823 (the funding gap created by the pandemic). In one hour, they exceeded their goal and raised nearly $64,000 and counting! And CEL gained new supporters and followers who may not have attended the in-person event in the past.
Cancelled in-person events don’t have to actually mean cancelled. It was a virtually amazing night! We were so proud to see their work spotlighted to hundreds who donated thousands.
After reflecting on the event, here are 5 things that made it work so well:
Collaboration - The CEL staff are experts in what they do. We are experts in what we do. Together, we used our knowledge to reach people in an new and engaging way. Through videos that were submitted, graphics, sponsors, and a produced testimonial story, we built a rundown of the LIVE show.
Engaging hosts - Lucky for us, we got Peggy Kusinski (sportscaster and podcast host) to host the night with CEL CEO Harriet Levy. Peggy’s energy combined with Harriet’s passion and knowledge of CEL really carried the event. It’s important that you have a host that can keep people engaged at home.
Advanced communication - Leading up to the event, participants registered, could purchase a raffle ticket, and were even given a signature cocktail recipe and ingredients for the main dish.
LIVE demonstration or guest - Speaking of main dish: Barilla’s Chef Tim was in the kitchen all night and did a LIVE demo for viewers at home. He added an element to the LIVE broadcast that kept us all on our toes, wishing that smell-o-vision was a thing! We’re still working on that technology.
A clear call to action - From the beginning of the night, the hosts reminded viewers of the fundraising goal, how those funds would be used and how they could donate instantly. This made it top of mind throughout the night. There was a LIVE update of the fundraising number too.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in 2020, it’s to rethink everything. In this case, rethinking your event can open up new doors and reach new people — all while not feeling like another Zoom call.
This was the perfect intersection of passion and purpose. Let’s collaborate!