This week on the Nonprofit Jenni Show, hear from a fellow listener as she explains what she’s learned about how to host safe fundraising events in the midst of COVID-19. Also, Jenni shares a story about a client she’s helping to improve their individual donor database.
How Midwest Food Bank Made Their Fall Fundraising Events COVID-Safe
I love it when podcast listeners reach out to share stories about how my podcast has impacted their work! This week on the podcast, I interviewed listener Jada Hoerr from Midwest Food Bank about how the Nonprofit Jenni Show inspired her organization to modify three of her organization’s fall fundraising events to ensure safety for her staff, volunteers, and event attendees.
On the podcast, Jada described three types of events her food bank was able to host in a new, safer format:
1. An Online Auction — This event had originally been planned as an in-person dinner, but Jada’s team got creative and moved the event to an online auction format. In our interview, she explains how her team was able to expand their original audience for the event because virtual events can reach anyone with internet access!
2. A Drive-Thru Event — Midwest Food Bank couldn’t host their traditional banquet gathering, so they got creative and hosted a family friendly drive-thru event! Volunteer hosts were matched up with a car and guided families in a drive-thru tour of their food warehouse. Kids were given an activity booklet to complete during the tour, and parents were able to understand how the food bank supports local families in need. At the end of the tour, each car was given a picnic-style food box and designated, socially distanced space at a local park to enjoy food from the pantry.
3. A Virtual Musical Streaming Event — Another branch of Midwest Food Bank had planned a live musical event, sharing the story of Ruth from the Bible, where ticket prices would help raise funds for that location. As a safer alternative, the food bank hosted a virtual streaming version of the musical through YouTube. Families were able to stream the event over just one weekend, to add a sense of urgency to the event, and were asked for donations at the beginning, during intermission, and at the end of the performance.
Listen to all of Jada’s great tips for planning COVID-safe fundraising events in the latest podcast episode:
How to Build Better Connections with Individual Donors in 2021
In this podcast episode, I also shared a story of a client I’ve been working with who is hoping to strengthen their organization’s individual donor database next year. This client has steady revenue coming in from sources like earned revenue and corporate sponsorships, but has never really had a solid strategy in place to cultivate relationships with individual donors.
Do you feel like your nonprofit struggles to develop connections with individual donors, and then make a compelling fundraising appeal? Here are a few ways I’d love to help:
1. Download my Marketing and Communications Calendar for 2021
The calendar comes pre-loaded with color-coded tasks you can complete every week to keep in touch with every type of donor and stakeholder at your organization. It’s also editable (in Excel and Numbers) so you can tweak and add tasks based on your organization’s unique needs.
2. Schedule a call to “Pick My Brain”
Whether you’re struggling to engage individual donors, corporate partners, or other stakeholders through your nonprofit communications, I’d love to get to know your situation and offer feedback. You can schedule a half-hour or 50-minute call with me now!
3. Check out these historic podcast episodes about nonprofit storytelling
I have some great podcast episodes in the archives that may help! Below, you’ll find links to each episode on Apple Podcasts. However, they are available on every major podcast platform wherever you get your podcasts!