Fundraisers have a lot of questions surrounding COVID-19, the novel coronavirus sweeping across the globe. The best piece of COVID-19 fundraising advice we can give you is not to stop fundraising! Of course, fundraising during this crisis will require a different approach than your regular activities.
And while there is no one solution that will help every organization get the most out of their fundraising during this crisis, there is a lot of great advice out there from some leading fundraising experts.
So, we’ve put together a list of resources to help you navigate this unprecedented time. This list contains advice from experts, tools, and online communities that will help your organization fundraise so you can keep reaching your goals and fulfilling your mission.
1. The COVID-19 Charity Preparedness Facebook Group
We thank you if you’ve been practicing social distancing during the outbreak. It’s our best chance to “flatten the curve” and make sure we save as many lives as possible by not overloading our healthcare systems.
But, we know things can get lonely! So, if you need a community to connect with other fundraisers and get the latest advice on fundraising during the coronavirus outbreak, join this group!
2. Coronavirus 1 – How to Respond to the Immediate Threat
This LinkedIn article is the first piece of a four-part toolkit designed to help fundraisers through the pandemic. The first article intends to help fundraisers adjust and minimize the impact of the virus for your beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers as well as on your communications and finances.
3. Blackbaud’s COVID-19 Response Guide for Fundraising and Events
Countless nonprofits have had to cancel or postpone fundraising events scheduled in the upcoming months. If you’re one of them, you’re probably wondering what to do next so you don’t miss out on all those fundraising dollars.
Blackbaud’s guide will help answer some of those questions and give you the COVID-19 fundraising advice you need to move forward.
4. IoF North East Virtual Networking – COVID-19 Support
The Institute of Fundraising North East is hosting a free virtual networking seminar on Monday, March 23. The online seminar is designed to give fundraisers a place to ask all their questions related to the pandemic, from providing peer to peer support, to remote working, an increased focus on digital, and turning mass participation events virtual.
Register: IoF North East Virtual Networking – COVID-19 Support
5. How to Manage Your Fundraising During the Coronavirus
Our friend Amy Eisenstein is never short on great fundraising advice. Her number one recommendation during the coronavirus outbreak? Don’t stop fundraising! She stresses the importance of connecting with donors during this difficult time, even if it’s just a call to check in and see how your donors are doing.
Read/Watch: How to Manage Your Fundraising During the Coronavirus
6. Free Resources for Creating a Coronavirus Appeal
Are you thinking about sending a special appeal during the outbreak? While we’re generally not a fan of appeal letter templates, this is a special case and you may need some inspiration to help you get started on your own appeal. The fundraising blog, Queer Ideas, has provided some templates to help you get started.
7. WEBINAR: How to Message During this Crisis
Wild Woman Fundraising is hosting a free seminar on Tuesday, March 24 to address some of the concerns organizations have about how to reach donors with an effective message during the coronavirus outbreak. The seminar will offer COVID-19 fundraising advice on topics like creating a flexible communications plan, what channels are the most effective right now, and how to stand out from other crisis messaging.
Register: How to Message During this Crisis
8. Top 5 Things to do to Keep Your Fundraising Program Chugging Along
In this short video, Cathy Mann offers advice on what fundraisers can do now to position themselves for now and when the pandemic is over. So, what five things can you do now to get your organization through this crisis? According to Cathy, the first is place emphasis on stewardship.
Watch: Top 5 Things to do to Keep Your Fundraising Program Chugging Along
9. Create Your Own Fitness Challenge
Did you have to cancel a 5k run or a similar fundraising event. Well, there’s good news. You can hold a virtual fitness challenge where participants track their progress individually and report it to your organization. Myvirtualmission.com is making it easy for fundraisers to get started.
Get Started: Create Your Own Fitness Challenge
