This post may contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase by clicking on my links.
Now, more than ever, we need to provide interesting and meaningful activities for our residents. And those activities cost money!
Many nursing homes are tightening their activity budgets as they face increased costs related to the pandemic. As a result, we may need to come up with our own money. Yet, hosting fundraisers is often difficult during this time of social distancing when opportunities for in-person events are rare.
But don’t despair! It’s easy to convert many of your traditional fundraisers into virtual events. (If you question whether it’s appropriate to hold a fundraiser during this uncertain economy, then you’ll want to read this article.)
Before we move on, let’s look at some basic principles for creating a successful fundraiser:
- Advertise your event! When nursing homes need to limit visitors, it’s even more important to spread the word through as many channels as you can find.
- Be sure to communicate the specific purpose of the fundraiser and how it will benefit the residents.
- Let everyone know the outcome of the fundraiser. You’ll help people see how their individual efforts made a sizeable difference for your residents.
- As soon as possible after the fundraiser, thank all participants. You’ll set the stage for people to feel positive about your future events.
These are several of my favorite online fundraisers. I hope you’ll share your suggestions in the comment section, too!
1. Virtual Gala
If you’re considering canceling your annual fundraising gala because of the pandemic, think again! You can hold most events just as successfully online. Plus, with lower overhead costs, more of the donations will go toward your project.
It’s still possible to include entertainment, guest speakers, and prize drawings in a virtual gala. You might even find that some people prefer to donate without the need to fit an in-person event into their busy schedules.
Make your virtual event even more fun by encouraging participants to dress up at home—perhaps in formal attire, a holiday theme, or their pajamas. Then invite them to submit photos to share. Attendees can also enjoy appetizers or a lovely dinner at home while watching the gala online.
2. Cooking Lessons
While social distancing, people look for entertaining ways to pass the time. As a result, cooking has become a favorite hobby for many folks. That’s why an online cooking class (or a series of classes) makes a terrific fundraiser.
Nowadays, many nursing homes employ incredibly talented chefs. If your chef has a great on-screen personality and an ability to teach, invite them to create a class. Or, you could ask a local celebrity chef to take part.
Charge a flat fee for access to your online class. You’ll also want to post of list of ingredients and supplies in advance. Then attendees can cook along with the chef from home if they wish.
3. Restaurant Fundraiser
Many of you have teamed up with a restaurant for fundraisers in the past. Now you can do this online by selling gift cards to a variety of local eating establishments. In return, they’ll offer your organization a percentage of the profits.
Since a lot of restaurants struggle because of the pandemic, they’ll welcome this opportunity for publicity and possibly new customers. While food establishments are most popular for this event, you might also find other local businesses eager to take part. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
4. Online Talent Show
If you check around, I know you’ll find lots of hidden talent among your staff, volunteers, and families. Whether they sing, dance, juggle, yodel, or do magic tricks, many people will share their skills for a good cause.
It’s easy to create an online talent show by putting together a video presentation with clips of each performer. You’ll also want an enthusiastic MC to introduce each participant and maybe tell a few cheesy jokes.
For this event, you can charge a set price for online access, or you can ask for free-will donations. Another option is to find sponsors, then create brief, funny commercials to display during the show.
You’ll also want to provide an opportunity for the audience to vote for their favorite acts. Then offer prizes donated by businesses.
5. Painting Class
Many of you have hosted on-site painting classes as a fundraiser. But there’s no reason you can’t host the class online with guests participating from their homes.
My daughter and I recently took part in an online painting class, and it was a blast! You can see the results of our efforts in the picture below. Ok, we may lack artistic talent, but we had so much fun creating our masterpieces.
Perhaps you can find a talented artist among your staff to teach the workshop. Another option is to check with art teachers at local schools.
I find it works best to charge guests a flat fee for access to the class. You’ll also want to provide a list of supplies to purchase in advance. Guests can get these supplies on their own, or you can team up with a craft store, allowing attendees to order a kit online for delivery to their home.
6. Virtual 5k
An advantage of a virtual 5k is that participants choose their own route to allow for social distancing while running or walking. This enables people from anywhere in the world to take part. So, be sure to advertise your event in as many places as possible.
Just like a traditional 5k, participants find sponsors for their walk or run. Other options for raising money include charging an entrance fee, selling T-shirts, or inviting businesses to sponsor your event.
Encourage runners to post photos or videos during the event so people can check in on their progress. You’ll also want to offer fun prizes—donated by businesses, of course. Besides prizes for the fastest runners, you can also include more unusual prizes such as best costume, funniest photos, youngest runner, or participant from the farthest distance.
7. Online Auction
You’ve probably held or attended an on-site silent auction to raise money for a charity. Fortunately, an online auction often works even better. That’s because you don’t have overhead costs such as room rental or food. Plus, a lot more people can take part—not just those who are available to attend your event in person.
One thing to keep in mind with an online auction is the delivery options. Determine whether the winning bidders need to pick up their items, or if you’ll ship them. Remember that shipping costs can reduce your overall income significantly.
8. “Instead of” Donations
Many of us have given up some of our usual activities because of the pandemic. Invite supporters to donate a percentage of the money they’ve saved by not doing these activities. Possibilities include the cost of gas, a service at the salon, eating out, or a movie.
(Note: Many businesses are struggling during the pandemic. Please continue to support them. Ask people to donate money only from activities they would have given up anyway.)
Provide an opportunity for participants to post what they’re giving up. This allows everyone to see that small donations from lots of people can add up to a significant amount of money.
9. Individual Challenges
Invite individuals to find sponsors to support them in a challenge. The possibilities here are endless.
For example, a member of the management team might shave their head or dye their hair a wild color after they raise a specified amount of money. Or someone from the rehab department could solicit donations for every mile they ride their bike. Perhaps caregivers will volunteer to take a pie in the face for a fee.
You’ll want to provide a site where donors can check the progress of each person’s fundraising efforts. Also, be sure to post fun pictures of the results!
10. Guest Speakers
Invite a dynamic expert to present an online class on a topic of interest to people involved in senior care communities. Possibilities include a financial planner, attorney, healthcare provider, or local historian.
You can either charge a flat fee for access to the class or request free-will donations. Be sure to allow time for questions and online discussion at the end of the presentation.
After you try one of these fundraisers, please come back and let us know how it turned out!
Leave a Reply