10 Virtual Fundraising Events That Actually Make Money

Virtual fundraising is transforming how nonprofits raise money, often surpassing traditional methods. Here are 10 proven virtual event ideas that can help your organization generate revenue while engaging donors worldwide:

• Online Auctions: Combine global reach with low costs. Example: Upaya Social Ventures raised $300K+ with an online auction.
• Virtual Galas: Replace expensive in-person events with broader online appeal. Summit Assistance Dogs raised $35K more virtually.
• Benefit Concerts: Use entertainment to drive ticket sales, donations, and sponsorships.
• Virtual Walkathons: Encourage fitness and peer-to-peer fundraising. Boulder Humane Society exceeded their goal by 101%.
• Telethons: Stream live stories and donor recognition to inspire contributions.
• Movie Nights: Offer tiered tickets and interactive discussions for a fun, shared experience.
• Game Nights: Engage supporters with trivia, tournaments, and live donation tracking.
• Fashion Shows: Showcase creativity while earning through tickets, sponsorships, and live donations.
• Peer-to-Peer Campaigns: Leverage supporter networks to expand your reach and boost donations.
• Community Talks: Host expert-led discussions to educate and fundraise at the same time.

Quick Comparison Table

These virtual events are cost-effective, scalable, and accessible, making them powerful tools for nonprofits to connect with donors and raise funds. Dive into the details to learn how to implement these ideas successfully.

20 Virtual Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofit Organizations

1. Host an Online Auction

Online auctions are a proven way to raise funds while engaging donors from anywhere in the world. They combine the thrill of bidding with the convenience of participating online. For instance, Upaya Social Ventures raised over $300,000 - exceeding their target by 50% - through a virtual gala that included an online auction.

These events allow nonprofits to connect with a global audience while keeping overhead costs low. To make your auction a success, offer a variety of items that cater to different budgets. The Virginia Stage Company demonstrated this by including items at various price points during their 'Gala Apart to Gather Again,' which boosted donor engagement.

Modern auction platforms make the process even easier, offering features like detailed item displays, real-time bidding, secure payment options, and mobile-friendly designs.

How to Get Started and Scale Up

To run a successful online auction:

• Choose a mix of physical goods and unique experiences.
• Promote the event through email campaigns and social media.
• Set a bidding period of 1–2 weeks to maintain momentum.
• Use a professional auction platform to ensure smooth operations.

Start with clear financial goals and track your progress throughout the event. Promote your items with detailed descriptions and regular updates to keep bidders engaged. A great example is the African Community Education (ACE) organization, which paired their online auction with a virtual fashion show. This creative approach led to a 300% revenue increase compared to their previous in-person gala.

Tips for Success

• Adjust the auction size to match your nonprofit's capacity, starting small if needed.
• Use social media to expand your reach and engage donors.
• Keep bidders informed with regular updates.
• Write detailed, enticing item descriptions that emphasize their value.

With the right planning and tools, online auctions can bring in substantial funds and pave the way for other successful virtual fundraising events.

2. Organize a Virtual Gala

Virtual galas have become an effective way for nonprofits to raise funds, blending the sophistication of in-person galas with the convenience of online access. They not only cut down on event costs but also allow for a broader audience and interactive experiences that keep donors involved.

How to Raise Funds and Get Started

Virtual galas bring together several ways to raise money, including ticket sales, live donations, corporate sponsorships, and silent auctions. Platforms like Zoom, paired with fundraising software, help manage these events smoothly. These tools simplify registration, track donations, and make the entire process easier for both organizers and attendees.

Keeping Donors Engaged: A Real-Life Example

To keep participants interested, share updates, leadership messages, and impact stories in real time using a campaign hub. A great example is Upaya Social Ventures, which used this strategy to highlight their mission through compelling stories and creative content. As a result, they surpassed their fundraising goal by 50%

Tips for a Successful Virtual Gala

Here’s how to make your virtual gala stand out:

• Offer clear technical instructions to attendees.
• Add interactive features like live Q&A sessions.
• Use professional streaming tools like OBS Studio for high-quality production.
• Provide multiple ways for people to donate.
• Recognize sponsors digitally to show appreciation.

The key is to recreate the charm of traditional galas while taking advantage of the broader reach that online events provide. Whether you’re a small nonprofit or a large organization, focusing on quality production and meaningful donor interaction can lead to a successful event.

Virtual galas aren’t the only option - consider other online events like benefit concerts to connect with supporters in creative ways.

3. Stream a Benefit Concert

Hosting a live-streamed benefit concert is a fun and effective way for nonprofits to raise funds while entertaining their supporters. These events blend entertainment with digital fundraising opportunities, making them a great fit for virtual campaigns.

How Benefit Concerts Generate Revenue

Benefit concerts bring in funds through a variety of channels, including:

• Ticket sales
• Real-time donations during the event
• Sponsorships from businesses
• VIP packages with special perks
• Merchandise sales tied to the event

To make it work, you'll need solid planning and reliable tech. Popular platforms like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live make it easy to stream your event and even include donation tools to encourage giving.

Keeping Your Audience Engaged

For a virtual concert to succeed, it has to keep viewers engaged. Here are three ways to make that happen:

• Use interactive features like live chats or Q&A sessions to connect with your audience.
• Stream across multiple platforms to reach as many people as possible.
• Recognize donors in real-time during the event to keep the energy and generosity flowing.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Benefit concerts can work for nonprofits of any size. The scale of your event can match your resources, but some basics are essential:

• A stable internet connection with a backup plan
• Quality microphones and audio equipment for clear sound
• A tech-savvy team to handle streaming and assist donors

Testing everything in advance is crucial. A smooth event keeps the focus on the cause and ensures donations keep coming in. Done right, virtual concerts not only raise money but also strengthen bonds with your supporters.

Looking for another way to engage your community? Virtual walkathons are a great option to consider.

4. Plan a Virtual Walkathon

Virtual walkathons allow participants to raise funds by walking or running anywhere, with their progress tracked digitally. These events combine fitness, community spirit, and technology to engage remote donors while encouraging healthy habits.

How Virtual Walkathons Generate Revenue

Peer-to-peer fundraising plays a key role in virtual walkathons, contributing to about one-third of online donations. Participants can share their progress and goals on social media, expanding the event's reach and encouraging more donations.

Take the Boulder Humane Society as an example. When they shifted their annual Doggie Dash to a virtual format, they surpassed their fundraising goal, reaching 101%. This success was driven by a strong focus on social media and digital outreach.

Steps to Organize Your Virtual Walkathon

To run a successful virtual walkathon, you'll need the right tools and strategies. This includes software to track progress and handle donations, clear communication plans, and effective fundraising methods. Virtual event platforms can help manage registrations, monitor participant activity, and ensure secure donation processing.

Keeping Participants Engaged and Expanding Your Reach

Virtual walkathons can work for organizations of any size. To maintain enthusiasm, consider using features like leaderboards, regular progress updates, and virtual ceremonies. Sharing photos, videos, and recognizing top fundraisers can also keep the momentum going.

For the best results:

• Use reliable systems to track progress.
• Provide participants with content they can share on social media.
• Host virtual ceremonies to celebrate milestones.
• Build a sense of community through online platforms.

Looking for more real-time interaction? Telethons offer another engaging way to connect with donors virtually.

5. Run a Telethon

Virtual telethons take the idea of traditional fundraising marathons and bring them online, turning them into live-streamed events that connect with donors and drive donations in real time.

Revenue Generation and Results

Summit Assistance Dogs revamped their "Unleash Your Love" luncheon into a virtual telethon and saw incredible results. Using CauseVox, they raised $35,000 more than their previous in-person event.

How to Keep Viewers Engaged

Plan your telethon with a mix of segments to keep things interesting. Include heartfelt mission stories to connect emotionally, live interviews to educate and inspire, and moments to recognize donors and build a sense of community. Wrap it up with a strong final appeal to encourage last-minute contributions.

Tools and Tech You’ll Need

For a smooth telethon, choose a reliable streaming platform, track donations as they come in, and keep viewers engaged with interactive features like Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and donor shoutouts. Use virtual fundraising tools to securely process donations, monitor participation, and send out automated thank-you messages.

Making It Work for Any Organization

Telethons can be scaled to fit any nonprofit. Smaller groups can start with simple live streams and personal stories, while larger organizations might opt for more polished productions with multiple segments. The Hill Country Ride for AIDS made their event virtual by focusing on personal stories and fostering a sense of connection within their community.

Storytelling and real-time interaction are key to a successful telethon. They help donors feel involved and aligned with your mission. For nonprofits looking for a lighter, fun alternative, hosting a virtual movie night is another great way to engage supporters while raising funds.

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6. Host a Virtual Movie Night

Movie nights are a fun way to bring people together while raising funds for your cause. Hosting a virtual screening lets you combine entertainment with a shared experience, helping to build a sense of community.

How to Generate Revenue

Offer tiered ticket options to maximize your fundraising potential. For example, you could sell basic tickets for access to the screening or VIP packages that include extras like snacks or exclusive content. El Centro de Raza successfully used this approach, teaming up with corporate sponsors to enhance the viewer experience while boosting revenue.

Make It Interactive

Add a social element to your event by organizing virtual pre-movie gatherings where attendees can chat. Plan intermission breaks to host live discussions about how the film connects to your mission. Platforms like YouTube Live or Facebook Live are great for enabling real-time comments and reactions.

Technical Setup

Growing Your Event

Looking to expand? Add features like sponsored segments, pre-recorded content, or multiple screening times to reach more people in different time zones. The Virginia Stage Company incorporated a movie screening into their virtual gala, proving how this type of event can complement larger fundraising efforts.

If you're exploring other ideas, virtual game nights are another fun way to engage with your supporters.

7. Set Up a Game Night

A virtual game night is a fun way to bring people together while raising funds. These events mix social interaction with fundraising through activities like trivia, online board games, and other interactive games.

How to Raise Funds

Game nights can bring in money through entry fees and sponsorships. For example, El Centro de Raza's virtual gaming event, "The Gauntlet", combined gaming with food delivery partnerships to create a memorable experience for participants and donors.

Tools You’ll Need

Keeping It Engaging

Make the event interactive to hold participants' attention. Jackbox is great for multiplayer games that use smartphones, and breaks between rounds are a perfect time to share your mission and highlight your impact.

Expanding Your Event

Adjust the event to fit your audience and resources. You could include:

• Different game formats
• Team-based competitions
• Live donation tracking
• Shout-outs to donors in real time

If you're looking for another way to connect with donors, virtual fashion shows are a visually engaging alternative.

8. Organize a Virtual Fashion Show

Virtual fashion shows are a creative way to connect with donors while boosting revenue through several income streams. African Community Education (ACE) showed the power of this approach by turning their annual gala into a hybrid event with a virtual fashion show. The result? A 3x increase in revenue compared to their previous in-person gala.

Revenue Streams

Technical Setup

To showcase the designs properly, invest in good video equipment and lighting. This ensures the garments and staging look their best. Use streaming platforms like Zoom and integrate donation tools such as Classy to make contributing easy for attendees.

Keeping Your Audience Engaged

Make the event interactive with features like live Q&A sessions with designers, behind-the-scenes clips, and real-time voting for favorite looks. Highlight donations during the show to keep the energy high and encourage generosity. Collaborating with local fashion businesses or design schools can also help increase reach and improve content.

Tailoring the Event to Your Organization

If you're a smaller nonprofit, start with pre-recorded segments to keep costs low. Larger organizations might consider professional streaming setups with multiple camera angles. Whatever your budget, focus on creating visually appealing content that captures the essence of a fashion show.

Virtual fashion shows don’t just bring in revenue - they also create buzz and excitement, making them a great addition to peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, which we’ll dive into next.

9. Launch a Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Campaign

Peer-to-peer fundraising turns your supporters into fundraisers, creating a ripple effect that boosts your virtual fundraising efforts. These campaigns work especially well for events like virtual walkathons or galas by tapping into personal networks. The numbers back it up: 1 in 4 emails from peer fundraisers result in donations, compared to just 1 in 1,250 from nonprofit organizations directly.

How It Works and Why It’s Effective

Tools and Strategies for Success

Organizations like the Boulder Humane Society and Upaya Social Ventures have surpassed their fundraising goals - raising 101% and 150%, respectively - by combining social media outreach with peer-to-peer campaigns. Platforms like CauseVox make this process easier by offering tools for creating and sharing personal fundraising pages, tracking progress, and enabling mobile-friendly donations.

Some standout features include:

• Customizable fundraising pages
• Real-time progress tracking
• Easy social media sharing
• Mobile-optimized donation options

Keeping Fundraisers Motivated

Support your fundraisers with clear instructions, regular updates, and recognition for their efforts. Celebrate milestones and share campaign progress to keep them inspired. The goal is to make it easy for them to tell their personal stories while tying those stories to your organization’s mission.

Adapting to Your Organization’s Needs

Peer-to-peer campaigns are flexible enough for nonprofits of any size. Start small with a dedicated group of supporters and let the campaign grow naturally through personal networks.

Up next, we’ll dive into how virtual community talks can provide engaging, shareable content to enhance your peer-to-peer efforts.

10. Host Virtual Community Talks

Virtual community talks let nonprofits connect directly with audiences through expert-led discussions and mission-focused content. These events combine education with fundraising, helping organizations share their message while raising funds.

Revenue Streams and How to Use Them

Tips for Engaging and Profitable Talks

Balancing education and fundraising is key. Here’s how to make your talks stand out:

• Bring in expert speakers and include interactive Q&A sessions.
• Share impactful stories and data that highlight your mission.
• Time donation appeals strategically during the event.
• Offer practical advice or insights that demonstrate your expertise.

Choosing the Right Tools

Pick a platform that supports live streaming, donations, and works well on mobile devices. It should be simple for both speakers and attendees to use. Many nonprofits succeed with platforms like Zoom or YouTube Live, paired with fundraising tools.

Scaling for Any Organization

Virtual talks work for nonprofits of all sizes. Smaller groups can start with monthly webinars featuring board members or local experts. Larger organizations might plan multi-speaker series or themed virtual conferences.

Tracking Success

Monitor these metrics to refine your future events:

• Attendance numbers and engagement levels.
• Donation trends during the talk.
• Speaker performance and audience interaction.
• Feedback from participants.

Conclusion

Nonprofits have seen impressive outcomes with virtual fundraising, often surpassing their goals through creative online events. The key is selecting an event format that aligns with the organization’s mission while keeping donors engaged.

Virtual fundraising thrives when nonprofits use event formats that resonate with their mission and take advantage of technology to connect with donors. Tools like live-streaming and analytics make it easier to manage events, improve donor experiences, and gather insights for future campaigns.

"Virtual fundraising events have transformed how we connect with donors. The key is creating immersive and interactive experiences that make supporters feel genuinely connected to the cause, regardless of physical distance."

Here’s how different virtual event types can deliver results:

By focusing on strong engagement, impactful storytelling, and clearly communicating the cause’s importance, nonprofits can create effective virtual fundraising programs that generate consistent revenue. Digital tools have become a cornerstone of successful fundraising.

As technology evolves, virtual fundraising will continue to grow. While tools like VR and AI may bring new opportunities in the future, nonprofits can start by mastering existing technologies and scaling their efforts gradually. Organizations that combine powerful storytelling with smooth technical execution will keep achieving their goals in the digital space.

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