Digital is the “new normal” and nonprofits also need to adapt to digital means of operating. This means whether it is raising funds or hosting events, nonprofits will have to choose online methods. Fortunately, a plethora of online fundraising platforms is available to streamline the fundraising process for nonprofits!

The basic objective of all nonprofits is to raise funds through various events and campaigns. However, the difference lies in the specific methods each nonprofit uses to raise money online.

How nonprofits raise money online

Online Giving

This is a method of collecting donations directly through the nonprofit’s website. To facilitate online giving, the platform should be capable of creating branded donation pages for the nonprofit’s website. An online donation page makes it easy to donate gifts for specific campaigns. The donation page should also facilitate monthly or recurring donations.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is an online fundraising strategy wherein a nonprofit creates a campaign on a third-party platform. These campaigns help raise funds for an urgent need of the nonprofit. Crowdfunding usually has small and mid-sized donations from numerous donors. Nonprofits that use crowdfunding as a fundraising option need an online platform that has the features that support it. For instance, it should support secure and easy payment methods, it should facilitate tracking fund generation over a fixed period, etc.

Peer to Peer Fundraising

Online peer-to-peer fundraising warrants platforms that enable individual supporters to create donation pages on behalf of the nonprofit. The donations solicited by these supporters through their pages are transferred directly to the nonprofit.

Matching Gift

This is a corporate philanthropy program wherein the employers match the donation of their employees. The online platform that supports the matching gift program will promote a matching gift database on the donation page. So, when a donor lands on the donation page, he can use a search tool to find out the donation made by his employer and whether he can match it or not. If your budget is high, you can even think of an automated matching gift software. In an automated process, the donors get automatic reminders and are guided through the entire process.

Online Auction

If a nonprofit uses using auctions to raise funds online, then it will need a platform that engages the audience and streamlines the auction process. Online auctions do not require paper bids or a lengthy registration process. However, nonprofits that leverage online auction for fundraising need to ensure that they provide their users a mobile bidding app as well.

While these are some of the most popular online fundraising strategies used by nonprofits, your nonprofit may use some other methods. The most important factor for online fundraising is the choice of the fundraising platform. Hence, a nonprofit must ensure that it selects the right platform which serves its purpose.

But choosing the right one can be quite confusing!

Here’s a guide to selecting an online fundraising platform:

Step 1: Establish your Goals

The goal of any nonprofit is to raise funds using the fundraising platform it chooses. Online fundraising platforms offer umpteen features like collecting data about the donors, setting up recurring donations, help spread awareness about the nonprofit, and many more. However, each platform has a specific set of features. Hence, you need to choose one that is aligned with your goals.

Step 2: Ascertain if the Online Platform has the Essential Characteristics

Certain basic features are required in any online fundraising platform. So, when you are shortlisting platforms, ensure that they have those features.

Characteristics of fundraising platforms

Customizable

When you look at different fundraising platforms, you might find that they have several attractive features that may be useful for you. However, you must make sure that the platform can be customized for your usage. In other words, you should be able to use the features you require according to your needs.

Responsive on Mobiles and Tablets

Make sure that you choose platforms that can be used on all devices such as desktops, mobiles, tablets, etc. This helps you reach a wider audience.

The platform should load quickly on all devices and the data buttons should be prominent and easy to click across devices. The page should not suffer in terms of quality when loading on different devices.

Easy Set-up

Some online fundraising platforms require technical knowledge for setting up and managing them while some others are less complicated. Choose a platform that is easy to set up. You can also check with the service provider if they offer training, customer support, etc.

Integrations offered

Make sure that the online platform integrates seamlessly with your CRM. This will save your time and effort in transferring your existing data into the platform.

This will also simplify the process of running campaigns and planning fundraising strategies.

Ease of Payments

The purpose of any online fundraising platform is to facilitate donations. Hence, ensure that the platforms you shortlist have easy payment options. Check whether they allow credit card/debit card payments or not.

Also, make sure that the platform is a PCI complaint. PCI compliance is a must for any platform that accepts credit card payments. It helps keep secure the confidential data such as credit card details provided by the donors.

Event hosting

Virtual events are here to stay, at least in the near future. What this means is that you will need an online fundraising platform that offers comprehensive features for hosting virtual events to raise funds.

Flexibility

Select a platform that can cater to your future needs. In other words, don’t choose a platform that only satisfies your current requirements. For instance, if you want to add more types of fundraising options at a later date, your platform should be able to accommodate such changes. Flexibility and scalability are must-have features when selecting an online fundraising platform.

Step 3: Comparison

Once you have shortlisted some online fundraising platforms, you will need to compare them and decide on the one best suited to your needs.

You can compare different platforms based on the above characteristics. You can also check out if the platform offers any other features that you can customize according to your needs.

Step 4: Price Comparison

The last step to select an online platform is to compare their prices. It is recommended that you do a cost-benefit analysis before deciding on the online platform you will buy.

While comparing the prices of different online platforms, you must adhere to your nonprofit’s budgets. Keeping your budget in mind while choosing the platform will ensure that you do not spend more than the funds you raise!

The base price of a platform is usually quoted by the provider, you need to include any other additional costs for a realistic comparison.

Here’s a list of some costs you need to take into account:

• Base price
• Price of enhancements or additional features
• Expenses towards IT support
• Cost of training the in-house team for using the platform
• The number of users the platform can support.
• Processing fees of payment

There may be other expenses associated with the different online platforms you may have shortlisted. You must anticipate all such costs for each platform and then compare them.

Make sure that you ask the service provider for different options. This is because a software provider may provide options that include additional features.

If you are looking for a platform that offers all the features required for online fundraising, then make sure to connect with the experts at iConnectX! We have been in the field of philanthropy for several years and provide platforms that cater to all the needs of nonprofits for online fundraising!

The year 2020 was the year most of us would like to wipe out from our memories. With the vaccine coming into play, 2021 is expected to help us recover from the state the pandemic had brought the world to! Fundraising in the last year faced its own set of challenges forcing nonprofits to rethink their strategies that will influence donors.

The pandemic has greatly transformed the way businesses’ function. There is a huge thrust on digitalization. In fact, we can say that technology and digital presence are no longer an option but a compulsion for all businesses including nonprofits. Therefore, if you are looking to position your nonprofit for fundraising success, you will need to build better fundraising strategies.

How to Plan an Impactful Fundraising Strategy?

All nonprofits are racking their brains on what fundraising strategies will work in 2021?

While we hear of several technological innovations and marketing techniques, we should not be in a hurry to adopt them without analyzing whether they are aligned with the working of our business model.

It is best to adopt a simple basic approach to developing a fundraising strategy for your nonprofit.

Here are a few aspects that you need to consider before you plan your fundraising strategy for 2021:

1. Analyze Last Year’s Performance

Before you plan your strategy for 2021, you must check out your last year’s performance.

This could be aspects like:

• The funds generate
• Losses incurred
• Number of donors lost/gained
• Email subscribers
• Donation patterns, etc.

This will give you a fair idea about the areas of improvement. Also, you will know exactly how much funds you have on hand and can budget your marketing expenses accordingly.

2. Data

When you are planning your fundraising strategy for 2021, it is recommended that you make a data-based plan.

What this means is that you collect data to find out details like:

• Demographics of your donors
• Details of global fundraising in 2020
• Market trends
• The type of charities that people liked to engage with, etc.

3. Technology

Businesses across the globe are adapting to new technologies. We have seen during the past year how buyers have switched from brick-and-mortar stores to online stores or how virtual events have replaced physical events, etc.

However, not all technologies are relevant for all businesses. Nonprofits need to identify the technologies that will help them in their fundraising strategies and invest in them.

These principal components of fundraising can be considered as the foundation on which you can build your fundraising strategy for 2021!

Let us look at the Top Fundraising Strategy to Capitalize in 2021

1. Choice of Charities

You need to select the charities that your nonprofit associates with carefully. It is important to bear in mind that all those charities that you had been supporting before the pandemic may not be the ones that donors are interested in anymore.

This is where the research that you have done will come in handy. Data that you have collected will give you an idea of the charities that donors are inclined towards.

So, based on this you can choose the charities for your nonprofit. However, make sure that you select those charities that are aligned with the vision of your nonprofit.

2. Aligning Stakeholders

In 2021, nonprofit fundraising will need extensive marketing efforts. Technology will also have a vital role to play in nonprofit fundraising. Hence, before you plan, it is essential to identity the entities that will add value to your fundraising efforts.

It is also beneficial to consider using tools that facilitate collaboration through a single platform. This streamlines coordination and saves time in planning and strategizing.

3. Budget

2020 has taught us the importance of financial planning. During the last year, all those organizations that had saved sufficient funds were the ones that could cope with the economic downturn.

Therefore, any fundraising strategy should begin with a budget where specific sums are allocated for each activity associated with the fundraising strategy.

4. Make Online Donations Easy

With people turning online for all their needs, facilitating online donations is a Must for nonprofits. Also, bear in mind that many donors are still not very comfortable using technology, so make online donations easy for them. You can offer donation buttons on your website, social media, etc. Make sure that donations are possible with all devices like tablets, iPads, etc. especially mobiles.

5. Encourage Monthly Donations

The financial challenges might discourage many donors. Therefore, you can encourage your donors to donate small sums monthly. Some nonprofits are accepting donations of $10 also to motivate their donors.

If donors are encouraged to donate small amounts during their tough times and they know their funds are being used well, they will be more inclined to donate monthly.

6. Revamp your Email Marketing

Many of you must be having a subscribers list and you may be sending emails to your subscribers. However, it is time to check your existing email list.

You need to identify the inactive subscribers. Reach out to them and find out why they are not responding. Purging your email list is essential so that your efforts are not wasted on unresponsive subscribers.

Subscribers may not be active due to several reasons. Many people change their email addresses, or they may have moved to some other non-profit, etc. Therefore, you need to identify the ones who can come back to your nonprofit and think of ways of attracting them.

Also, when you critically assess your existing email list, you will get a clear idea of the number of existing email subscribers. This will help you set clear goals on the number of subscribers you intend to reach in a specific time frame. This will help you plan your email strategy.

7. Revamp your Website

In 2021 you might find that the features or services of your website before the pandemic may no longer be relevant under the current circumstances. Therefore, it is a good idea to critically evaluate your website and tweak it so that it meets the demands of your audience.

For instance, if you are choosing new charities, you can communicate this to your audience through your website. It is beneficial to introduce trending features on your website. For instance, video content, etc.

8. Social Media Marketing

The popularity of social media has gone up by leaps and bounds during the past year. Social media campaigns are necessary to spread awareness about your nonprofit. Social media channels are highly effective in building a rapport with your audience. Find out the social media channels your nonprofit audience uses and the timings they are active on and connect with them there.

9. Virtual Events

Events are important for fundraising by nonprofits. However, the pandemic has put a halt to all physical events. And, we have seen a rise in the number of virtual events being hosted during the past year.

However, if you want good participation with effective fundraising in your virtual events, you need some out-of-box thinking to engage your audience throughout the event. You can customize the event experience for your audience with the help of the data you have gathered.

10. Ramp up Technology

The year 2021 will be technology-driven! Several automation tools and innovative technologies are available for nonprofits to leverage.

Choose the best technologies and customize them according to your fundraising strategies. One of the most sought-after technologies by nonprofits is an event hosting platform.

With social distancing norms and lockdowns, events can only be hosted virtually. Event hosting platforms offer a myriad of features that make it easy to host virtual events.

iConnectX has some of the best features that are tailored to the needs of nonprofits. iConnectX has been in the field of philanthropy for several years and has all systems set up to meet the goals of nonprofits.

Every organization requires a marketing plan to increase its reach and attract potential buyers. Nonprofits also require marketing strategies that will help them reach more donors and attract volunteers and supporters.

Nonprofit marketing differs from marketing strategies adopted by other organizations that sell products or services. This is because nonprofit marketing focuses on selling a concept, in other words, the mission of the nonprofit. Nonprofit marketing strategies create awareness about the nonprofit and its purpose. These strategies are created for a niche audience that is looking for philanthropic opportunities.

Nonprofit marketing is more challenging than that for other types of businesses because the target audience widely varies in demographics, status in society, etc. Hence, marketing strategies need to cater to a diverse audience.

After the pandemic-ridden 2020, nonprofit marketing in 2021 needs some extra work to attract donors. Charity events such as auctions, runs, etc. are the mainstay for connecting with the audience. However, the pandemic has put a halt to any kind of physical event with the world going for virtual events.

Nonprofit marketing in 2021 will need to focus on digital marketing strategies to attract an audience. Digital marketing requires fund allocation. Hence, it is best that a nonprofit writes a marketing plan based on its goals and allocates specific funds based on different marketing strategies adopted.

Nonprofit Marketing Strategy for 2021:

Establish your Marketing Goals:

The first step for any planning is to establish your goals. This helps give a direction to all your marketing efforts. For instance, you could establish a goal of how many donations you expect from a specific marketing campaign. The current scenario has changed the concept of planning from “long-term planning to short-term.” You need to establish short-term goals for your non-profit because of the unpredictable future.

Determine Metrics

Once you have established your marketing goals, you need to determine metrics to assess whether you have reached your goals.

Budget

Budgeting your marketing expenses is very important while planning your strategy. A nonprofit has several other expenses to take care of besides the marketing expenses. Therefore, it is necessary for a nonprofit to prepare a budget allocating funds for all its expenses. Setting limits on expenses will ensure that the nonprofit organization does not go overboard with its expenses.

Managing income and expenses is vital for running a profitable nonprofit. Nonprofits should keep track of their expenditures to ensure that they do not exceed their income. It is a well-established fact that most profitable nonprofits keep track of their expenses by budgeting them.

Next arises the question, “How to prepare a non-profit budget?”

Nonprofits can think of following the 50 20 30 budget rule. 50 30 20 rule was popularized by Senator Elizabeth Warren in her book All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. This rule suggests how an individual/organization should split his after-tax income based on his needs/wants, etc. for better management of funds.According to this concept:

50% of the after-tax income should be allocated to the expenses associated with your needs.

30% of the rest should be used for wants.

And, the remaining 20% should be kept as savings.

This is a simple and easy to implement the rule that helps an organization reach its financial goals.

Let us now look at the basic expenses of a nonprofit:

Program Costs: These are expenses incurred in running the mission of the nonprofit. For instance, if the nonprofit is providing education to the poor, then its running costs would be the total expenses incurred in organizing classes, providing material such as books, stationery, etc.

Administrative Expenses: This is an umbrella term for all expenses incurred towards the operations and management of the nonprofit. These include costs towards office management, accounts, human resources, etc.

Fundraising Expenses: These include expenses incurred for conducting fundraising campaigns, managing donor lists, and all activities associated with soliciting donations.

These would constitute the need-based expenses. Going by the 50 30 20 budget rule, the nonprofit can allocate 50% of its expenses towards these expenses. Most of these expenses are fixed and a nonprofit can easily budget for them.

The next important expense is the marketing expense. Although one would be tempted to consider marketing expenses in the need category, it is better to put them in the “wants” category. This is because a nonprofit marketing budget is flexible. There are no fixed costs where marketing is concerned. Hence, the nonprofit can alter its marketing strategies based on the funds available. 30% of the total amount after the need-based expenses can be used for marketing campaigns. The nonprofit can choose the blend of different online marketing strategies that fit into the allocated amount.

Understanding your Audience

To ensure that your brand reaches your audience, you must understand your audience. This will help you create marketing strategies that are customized to the needs of your audience. You can enhance the experience of your audience by making data-based decisions. Data can be accessed through survey data, social listening, or even the form page responses, and many more. All these resources will provide you details like location, interests, preferred channels, etc. about your audience. This will help you tailor your marketing plans according to their needs.

Action Plan

Once the mix of digital marketing and offline marketing strategies are determined, you need to break down the goal into smaller bits. In other words, make an action plan of the sequence of activities to be performed to achieve the goal. You can make teams and assign specific goals to each team within a fixed budget.

Marketing Strategies

Let us take a look at the different inbound marketing strategies a nonprofit requires:

Email Marketing: Email marketing is one of the most effective marketing tools for nonprofits because it offers an opportunity to connect with the audience at a personal level. You can automate email marketing and manage a growing email list, donations, etc.

Social Media Marketing: Social media marketing is a proven technique for nonprofits to exhibit their brand personalities and easily engage with their followers and supporters.

Website: Your website is your “address” in the digital marketplace. This is where your visitors will gather all information about your nonprofit. What your organization stands for, how you function, etc. Ensure that you have a well-designed website in place that your audience can navigate easily. The website should be optimized for mobile. Besides, it should have clear CTAs. Make sure to update your website with fresh content so that your audience keeps coming back.

Video Marketing: Video content is the most in-demand content currently. Nonprofits can leverage the power of video marketing to garner the support of their audience.

Event Marketing: Event marketing is one of the most effective ways to engage a wide audience. With virtual events on the rise, nonprofits must look for software platforms like iConnectx.com to host events that delight their audience.

Any nonprofit requires a mix of these strategies to advertise its services. However, each of these strategies has a cost associated. Also, not all marketing strategies are required by each nonprofit for promotion. Therefore, nonprofits should choose the best strategies to promote their brands. It is important to choose the right mix so that you get a good ROI.

If you have allocated a fixed amount for marketing your nonprofit, you can allocate fixed amounts for each marketing strategy.

Verify Results

You can check if you have got the desired result by comparing your results against the metrics established. This will provide you a feedback regarding the areas of improvement in your effort.

This is a basic structure for developing a marketing plan for your nonprofit. Based on this you can prepare a customized marketing plan for your nonprofit by including or eliminating the elements you require.

iConnectX is an organization that offers support to all nonprofits to achieve their marketing goals!

We are living in a society that includes people who have everything and those who lack even the basic necessities in life. The State and Governments across the globe are trying their best to bridge this gap. However, as citizens, it is our responsibility also to help the needy to upgrade their quality of life. There are several ways of doing this. One of the best ways is a donation.

We can make monetary donations, food donations, clothes, or even donations of old items. While most charities have simplified the process of donating money, donation of food or articles becomes difficult for the donors.

Many of us who have old clothes, furniture, etc. that we want to donate are clueless about where to go and what to do? And, with the lockdowns and other restrictions, donating articles has become even more complicated.

Fortunately, several charities offer free donation pick-up. However, you need to ensure that your donation is being used for the right purposes. Therefore, it is important to find some details about the nonprofit organization before you schedule a donation pick-up.

Here are a few tips to streamline the process of donation pick up:

Step 1: Collect the Items for Donation

You need to identify the items at home that you would like to donate. Make sure that the articles are in usable condition. For instance, if you are donating clothes, ensure that that they are not torn or tattered. Or, if you are donating used toys for your kids, make sure that they are not broken and are functional. Once you have collected all the stuff you want to donate; clean and segregate them. Pack them in separate cartons or bags. You can make it a community effort by asking your neighbors etc. to also collect the items they want to donate so that you can collectively send them to nonprofits that pick-up donations.

Step 2: Finding the Right Nonprofit

You can search the website of the nonprofit to find out details such as what they do, how they work, etc. The simplest way to do this is to search for “donation centers near me” on Google. It is a good idea to even connect with the relevant personnel in the organization and find out more about them.

When you are looking for a nonprofit that will pick up donations from your home, check with them what kind of donations they accept. This is because not all charities accept every article you may want to donate. You can specifically ask the concerned person in the organization what you can/can’t donate. This will help you narrow down your choice of nonprofit for donation.

Based on this data you can decide on the donation center.

Step 3: Arrange for a Free Donation Pick-up

When you have decided on the non-profit organization you want to donate to, you can schedule a date and time for the pick-up. Make sure that your articles for donation are clean and neatly packed. The nonprofit that will pick up donations from your home will visit you according to the schedule. You can hand over your donation to the concerned person.

Donating old articles to charity is a fulfilling experience. People who have an excess of items can easily distribute them to the needy. This serves two purposes. The donor can share articles that may not be useful for him, but they can benefit someone else. We tend to buy anything new and beneficial in the market. When we buy such items, we stop using those that we had been using before the purchase. Most often these articles are in a good condition and we do not know what to do with them.

When we realize that many people want these items and can’t afford them, we can easily donate them to such people. This is the best use for the articles that are available in excess at our homes. For instance, parents find themselves stuck with good quality toys that their kids may have outgrown. Most often these toys are expensive and in a good condition so one does not feel like throwing them away. The donor feels good when he can donate such toys to poor kids who cannot afford them. This is one example. When you look around you will find many such things around you that can be replaced with updated versions. it could be your old smartphones, laptops, or shoes, etc. While these may not be of much use to you, they can transform the lives of many.

These are some of the reliable nonprofits that pick-up donations from your home for free:

1. The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a philanthropic organization that was formed in 1865. It offers charity services in over 100 countries across the globe.

They accept monetary donations, furniture, books, clothing, and several other items. They even accept cars as donations. These donations are sold at their network of stores.

To donate to Salvation Army, a donor needs to provide details such as their zip code and a list of articles they wish to donate in the online form. You can schedule a free pick-up according to your convenience by suggesting the date and time for the pick-up.

2. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)

It is an organization that helps military service veterans with support services like job placements, financial planning, etc.

VVA offers free donation pick-up services where donors can schedule pick-ups in less than 24 hours.

3. Habitat for Humanity

This is a nonprofit that has helped over 20 million people revitalize their housing. The main objective of this organization is to provide homes to the underprivileged.

Habitat for Humanity raises funds for its construction projects by selling donated goods through its network of Habitat Restores across the country. They take donations from the public for this. They also offer free pick-up for larger items.

You can connect with the charity through their website to schedule a free pickup.

4. human-I-T

This organization focuses on managing E-waste. They repair and repurpose donated electronic items for low-income groups.

The donations collected are used to provide internet access, online learning courses, etc. to the people who cannot afford them.

human-I-T helps solve the problem of e-waste disposal while helping the underprivileged acquire technical skills.

5. Green Drop

Green drop helps people clear their clutter. When there is a death in the family or if one is moving homes, there is a lot of stuff that people don’t know what to do with. Green Drop comes in to help clear the articles that can be donated. However, they do not pick up large items of furniture, or televisions, etc. They have a weight restriction of 50lbs for the articles collected.

They donate to charities like the National Federation of the Blind or American Red Cross, etc.

In addition to the above-mentioned names, several charities offer free donation pick-up services to simplify the process of donation.

iConnectX is a leading non-profit organization that can help you with a donation of articles for charity.

Connect with Us Now to get involved in various philanthropic activities!

The past year has changed literally everything! We are all adapting to new ways of living and cautiously creating a “new normal!” The new normal is going to have technology at the forefront. This is because only technology can help people across the globe collaborate and work towards common goals.

The global economy has suffered huge setbacks in the past year and is still taking time to recover. The nonprofit sector is also impacted. However, it is heartening to note that more people across the globe are motivated to their bit for the community amid the crisis. Therefore, the nonprofit sector is witnessing more interest and involvement.

It is now time for nonprofits to buckle-up and adapt to the “new normal!”

Events are the mainstay for nonprofits to engage their audience. However, social distancing has put a halt on physical events since 2020. And virtual events have become popular in 2020.

Virtual events are the way ahead for nonprofits in 2021!

When organizing an event virtually, you need to get creative and organize events that engage a larger audience. It is recommended that you study the demographics of the donors for your cause and customize your event according to their interests.

Here’s how nonprofits can strategize virtual events to reach a wide audience:

How to make Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Virtual?

Peer-to-peer fundraising help create a sense of community. Besides they have the potential to generate twice the amount of funds compared to most other digital fundraising initiatives.

One of the best ways to convert existing campaigns into peer-to-peer fundraisers is by asking your donors to set up their own online fundraising pages and linking them through software tools. You can urge your donors to reach out to their friends and social groups to build the community.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a traditional form of fundraising that has an integrated online component.

You can create a dedicated crowdfunding page to fund a specific fund with a target amount. This method offers complete transparency, and you can communicate the progress to your donors easily.

Live-Stream

During the pandemic era, online videos have experienced a surge in engagement. Nonprofits can create live events on Facebook Live, Instagram Live, or Zoom.

Live-streaming comes closest to a physical event because it offers an opportunity to question and engage with each other.

Webinars

Webinars help raise awareness and engage the audience digitally. You can organize a series of webinars with specific agendas.

You can start with educating your audience about how to interact and what they stand to gain. You can organize informative webinars with the CEO and interviews, etc. with your donors.

Webinars are quite effective in engaging a wide audience and sharing valuable information.

Virtual Gala

This is an interesting concept of a virtual event where you can organize a fundraiser with the top supporters of your nonprofit. You can invite a speaker to address the group.

You can make it a fun event by organizing a virtual dinner party or luncheon. Decide on a menu and ask the members to cook. The group members can dress up for the virtual dinner party to add a zing! Alternatively, you could organize a theme party.

Such creative ideas make the event engaging for all the members.

Virtual Marathons

Did you think that marathons are impossible in 2021? Think again! Use your creativity to organize virtual marathons!

You can ask the attendees to run outside their homes or on the treadmill on a specific date at a particular time. Make sure to set up an activity goal when all attendees run at the same time on their own. Of course, the attendees must be asked to sign-up for the event and pay a registration fee.

Make it a fundraiser through the race date while tracking their race times. Check out who are members who cross their fundraising and physical finish lines. This a very effective method to engage the participants.

Take it a step ahead by celebrating the members with a live-stream. You can also make the event interesting by inviting someone from your organization to address the group. Help the participants to connect. This will make your event popular because, during the time of self-isolation, people will be looking for an opportunity to connect with other like-minded people.

The same concept can be used to organize a bikeathon or a climbathon. All these activities offer great engagement and are highly effective fundraisers.

Online Charity Auctions

Charity auctions are very popular fundraising events. Fortunately, the concept of online auctions existed even before the pandemic. In 2021, online auctions might almost replace physical auctions until the pandemic comes in control.

An online auction is beneficial as it can engage a global audience. You can use online auction platforms like iConnectx.com for an online auction.

Make bidding easy for your audience by setting up a page specifically for listing the items available for bidding. You can compare the bids and organize a fancy event to declare the winners. Events such as webinars, live streams, or Virtual galas are great options for declaring the winners.

Although, the concept of an online auction is simple to implement and offers several benefits, finding quality products for auction might be a challenge this year. This is because of the way businesses are struggling to cope with the present economic situation.

Virtual Conference

Don’t let social distancing hamper your efforts to cultivate a community! You can explore the option of the virtual conference for your purpose.

You could organize a day-long conference with talks, workshops, etc. in which people can dial into events of their choice.

Some examples of the speakers at the conference are members of the Board who can explain about the charity. It is a good idea to ask people who have benefitted from your organization to share their experiences. Experts who are knowledgeable about your cause can be good speakers at a conference.

Conferences may be organized on Zoom. Make sure to make the conference interactive to retain the interest of your audience.

Virtual Bingo/Concerts/Happy Hours

If you are looking to engage a wide audience, it is recommended you try different types of virtual events. This is because the type of audience you attract depends on the type of event you organize. While events like conferences are a little serious in nature, they will attract a specific type of audience events like virtual bingo, virtual concerts, or virtual happy hours are fun events that attract a very different type of audience.

While such events are organized virtually through Zoom, etc. they give the audience a feeling that they are getting out of their homes and having a night of fun.

Gaming Fundraisers

Gaming has become an extremely popular form of entertainment during the pandemic.

Virtual gaming can be used effectively for fundraising in different ways. For instance, you can engage popular gamers and Livestream their game. They can point viewers towards your fundraising campaigns.

Gaming can also be used to cultivate community by organizing a competition between teams. organizing such tournaments helps in fundraising. You can have local businesses sponsor gifts for winners of such tournaments.

These are some ideas of the types of virtual events you can organize. However, technology has made it easy to innovate and create more variations in virtual events.

An event management platform simplifies the process of organizing events. It is recommended that you choose a platform that offers you several features to give you the flexibility to add variations in your virtual event.

iConnectX is just the perfect platform for organizing any virtual event. This platform has been used for organizing events for nonprofits for several years. Therefore, it already has some of the essential features required for such events. Besides, at iConnectX, we are persistently updating the platform with new features to enhance the user-experience through events.

Connect with iConnectX to create events that will delight your audience!

No matter what charity one chooses to donate to, it always ends up making one’s day. It is a part of giving back to the society that has given us all so much, already. Because we understand payback time can be difficult for some, we have listed some charities based on 2 criteria:

• Charities Based on Cause
• Charities Based on Cities

This will hand down help you make a better decision. So, let’s get started, shall we?

Charities Based on Cause

Animal Rights, Welfare, & Wildlife Conservation

If you wish to work towards rescuing animals from abuse and assisting shelters either locally or globally, then you must consider one of these charities. They prevent the cruelty of animals and nurture them with love once they are rescued.

1. 1. American Humane Association

Since 1877, this association has been at the forefront of protecting animals from abuse and neglect.

1. 1. Animals Asia Foundation

This charity works towards ending the farming of bears for bile in Chile and Vietnam, thereby providing a sanctuary for them. Apart from this, it also helps end the suffering of animals and ensures that they are given good treatment.

1. 1. ASPCA

The American SPCA offers programs in public awareness, advocacy in government, Shelter support, and medical support. It fights for animal rights and is against the cruelty of animals.

1. 1. Born Free USA (Animal Protection Institute)

This charity rescues animals in need work towards reducing animal suffering and protects wildlife in general but endangered species in particular. It encourages compassionate conservation globally.

1. 1. Humane Society of The United States

The Humane Society of The United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated most effective by our peers. For 60 years, we have celebrated the protection of all animals and confronted all forms of cruelty.

1. 1. Petfinder Foundation

Petfinder is an online, searchable database of animals that need homes. It is also a directory of more than 10,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the USA.

1. 1. Wildlife Conservation Society

The Wildlife Conservative Society, is a 501c nonprofit, protects wildlife and wildlands through, conservation, education, and the management of wildlife parks.

Children & Youth Nurturing

Some charities and organizations are focused on uplifting the future of the country – children, and youth. Some of these charities are:

1. 1. Adoption Exchange

This charity connects children waiting in foster care with adults who can take their responsibility and tend to their needs.

1. 1. Boys & Girls Club of America

This charity offers help to young boys and girls in helping them build their personalities, thereby enhancing their overall development.

1. 1. Camp Fire

Being an outcome-based charity, its work includes conducting programs on self-reliance, leadership, environmental (including camping) education, and more.

1. 1. Children’s Miracle Network

It is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals.

1. 1. First Book

First Book is an award-winning charity that aims to provide new books to children in need. Since access to books is the major reason behind the illiteracy of children and youth, it tries to nip the evil in the bud.

Elderly

To help the elderly is to help God. There are umpteen charities that you can find near you if you feel strongly towards this cause of offering your services to the elderly.

1. 1. AARP Foundation

It deals with issues that affect people who are above 50 and the issues that will possibly affect them in the future.

1. 1. Alzheimer’s Association

It helps people and their caregivers deal with the disease and its impact on their lives.

1. 1. American Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing

Currently serving two million people every day through mission-driven, this organization does not take a step back when it comes to helping the aged.

1. 1. The Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS)

It was founded in 1960, created to function as the central coordinator for homes and residential facilities for the Jewish elderly in North America.

Food Charities

Some charities and organizations run food banks to help people dealing with poverty. If you wish you join this cause, here are certain organizations you can consider.

1. 1. Akshaya Patra Foundation

It is the world’s largest NGO-run midday meal program, providing meals to 1.4 million children in government-run schools in India daily. It costs $15 to feed a child for a year.

1. 1. Child Fund International

With more than 65 years of experience in identifying and addressing the root causes of poverty, this charity understands the problem well. Because of this, the solutions it offers are full-proof.

1. 1. Feeding America/Americas Harvest

Feeding America is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization. The Feeding America network of food banks is leading the fight against hunger in communities across the country.

1. 1. Food for the Poor

International relief and development organization working in the Caribbean and Latin America providing food and shelter.

Charities Based on Cities

Now if you are eager enough to find charities and you have been frantically typing “charities near me”, we have listed some charities in the five most charitable cities of the USA.

• Pittsburgh

1. 1. Goodwill

Donations Center
396 Atlantic Avenue Atlantic Plaza Shopping Center · In Atlantic Plaza Shopping Center
(925) 432-4776

1. 1. St Vincent De Paul Society

Social services organization
2210 Gladstone Dr
(925) 439-5060

1. 1. Opportunity Junction

Non-profit organization
Antioch, CA
(925) 776-1133

1. 1. Love-A-Child Missions Homeless Recovery Shelter

Homeless shelter
Bay Point, CA
(925) 643-5170

1. 1. Heart of a Hero

Nonprofit organization

• Houston

1. 1. Houston Children’s Charity

Charity
1600 W Loop S #610
(713) 524-2878

1. 1. Catholic Charities

Social services organization
2615 Fannin St · In San Jose Clinic
(713) 526-4611

1. 1. Houston Local Charity

Charity
Pasadena, TX
(832) 818-1505

1. 1. Houston Local Charity

Charity
3733-1 Westheimer Rd
(832) 818-1505

1. 1. The House of Charity

Charity
10802 Sugar Hill Dr Suite A
(713) 266-8002

1. 1. Catholic Charities

Social services organization
326 S Jensen Dr
(713) 227-9981

• San Francisco

1. 1. San Francisco CASA

Social services organization
San Francisco, CA
(415) 398-8001

1. 1. Montessori Children

School
San Francisco, CA

1. 1. Catholic Charities

Charity
1555 39th Ave
(415) 972-1200

1. 1. San Francisco Family Foundation

Charity
2269 Chestnut St
(415) 922-4091

1. 1. Shanti Project

Social services organization
730 Polk St #3
(415) 674-4700

• Dallas

1. 1. Dallas For Children

Charity
12830 Hillcrest Rd · In Commerce Plaza Hillcrest

1. 1. Dallas Children’s Charities

Nonprofit organization
15707 C Coit Rd Suite 152 · In Walmart Supercenter

1. 1. Dallas Hope Charities

Nonprofit Organization
(214) 301-9407
WEBSITE

1. 1. Food Distribution Center – Catholic Charities Of Dallas

Food Bank
9461 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy. In North Creek Place
(214) 520-6590

1. 1. Dare to Dream Children’s Foundation Dallas Texas

Nonprofit Organization
6310 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy #111 · In Concourse Office Park
(972) 333-7607

• Atlanta

1. 1. Atlanta Children’s Shelter

Social services organization
607 Peachtree St NE
(404) 892-3713

1. 1. LivingTree Charities, Inc.

Charity
3340 Peachtree Rd NE #1800· In Tower Place 100
(404) 410-2929

1. 1. Artists for Charity | AFC Children’s Home | AIDS HIV | Atlanta | DC | Adis Abeba

Charity
925B Peachtree St NE
(404) 543-8627

1. 1. Catholic Charities Atlanta

Social services organization
Smyrna, GA
(404) 920-7725

1. 1. Missionaries of Charity Gift of Grace House

Charity
995 St Charles Ave NE
(404) 892-5111

That’s pretty much it!

We hope this proves to be of help to you and yours. If not, get in touch with us so we can make it easy for you to decide. We, at iConnectX, are the industry’s leading social platform providing the technology that nonprofits need to succeed in their fundraising. We are thus a reliable source to offer help.

Here’s hoping that you connect with the right charity – the one that aligns well with your cause.

Just like the other sectors, COVID-19 has turned the nonprofit sector on its head. With around 5-10% of the US economy and 10% of the US employment dependent on nonprofit services, the pandemic has only made the country realize the power of this sector. And for good!

However, the way it has evolved during these unprecedented times is commendable. The nonprofit sector has, thus, given a path to a few trends that have made their way into 2021 and will continue to hold a firm grasp.

In this guide, we will dive deeper to understand 4 ways the nonprofit sector will evolve stronger in 2021.

1. Nonprofit Sector Will Turn Digital & Virtual

Because COVID seemed to be in no mood to leave us alone, the nonprofits eventually shifted from in-person to virtual events. While this shift was expected to be short-lived, the news is that it will continue over 2021 and beyond.

That’s precisely because digital events succeeded in blurring the geographical barriers, letting people (who otherwise wouldn’t have) participate.

Further, the lack of in-person volunteering has and will continue to make the virtual aspect of nonprofit marketing outshine the previous methodologies. This means that nonprofits will (have to) incorporate live-streaming, curate content for live events, install chat apps and promote virtual volunteerism.

This move will eradicate the largest barrier to volunteering i.e. volunteers citing busy schedules as an excuse. Volunteering from the comfort of their homes, thus, gives people their own space to bring about a difference in their own way.

Not just this, the focus will also shift a little more on digital communication, be it for meet-and-greets, fundraising, or likewise.

We might also see an evolution of virtual events. Here’s why!

Post a recent study from the Goodman Center that pointed out how 65% of the respondents raised concerns regarding videoconferences adding up to their fatigue, fear of virtual fundraising events becoming difficult cropped up alongside.

For example – For nonprofits that offer educational services, videoconferencing is not the best source.

Thus, the virtual event market is likely to experience a seachange and new tools will be introduced to support the online programs. This will enhance the experience of the attendees and donors.

2. High-Tech Technology Will Help Nonprofits Find Their Donors

Nonprofits will delve into high-tech solutions like

• Artificial Intelligence
• Blockchain for Fundraising
• Outcome Management
• Enhanced Communication

This will be done to find the right donors.

For Example Direct mails or social media conversations are the primary mode of communication for nonprofits to target their potential audience.

However, these are still too basic to make an impact. AI is expected to wave its magic wand and introduce tools like automation which will personalize the messages along with reducing the effort while increasing the impact. Cool, right?

But how can these tools be managed?

Well, it’s simple! These tools can be added through managed cloud services, thereby letting the nonprofits boost their services whenever needed.

With tools like chatbots, AI can really turn the tables in terms of conducting better and brighter campaigns/events; be it serving the community in whatever way.

Long story short, nonprofits will enhance their communication using the latest technology.

Mobile, for one, will become a hotshot in 2021; thanks to the mobile marketing techniques that are impressively improving at an exponential rate.

According to research from the Blackbaud Institute, mobile donations represented 26% of all online donations in 2019, up from just 9% in 2014.

Giving Tuesday has seen $2.47 billion in donations in 2020 which is much higher than $1.97 billion in 2019. It is interesting to note that most of these donations have been through mobile.

3. Nonprofits Will See More Partnerships, Mergers, and Joint Ventures

As every business does, even nonprofit organizations tend to grow their branches into different areas where they can expand their programs. While they have the resources to carry out the expansion of operations, they don’t really have the right knowledge to do so. A human can only know so much, after all!

Because a single entity can’t have all the specializations, taking into consideration the technological and demographic shifts, 2021 will see nonprofits forming joint ventures, mergers, and partnerships.

In other words –

• Some nonprofits will enter into strategic partnerships with other nonprofit organizations.
• Some nonprofits will form joint partnerships with for-profit organizations.
• Some nonprofits will consider mergers, either with other nonprofit or for-profit entities.

In 2021, we’ll witness nonprofits having concrete conversations regarding this with one another and also with the corporations to make a better impact.

Not just this, but many nonprofits are attuned to both private and public organizational goals and needs. This will make them create more public-private partnerships in 2021.

4. Grantmaking Will Become More Collaborative

Even before COVID-19 gave us all a blow, nonprofits were witnessing a shift in the grants process. Everybody related to this industry knows how crucial grants as resources are for nonprofits to fund and boost services that are offered to the communities.

But nobody worked towards making the grant process easier even after knowing how cumbersome it is for both the grantor and the grantee.

However, last year, we all saw how traditional grantmaking succumbed to pressure. This was because the demand for funds exponentially increased and grantors hustled to get grants out faster.

It is indeed commendable that nonprofits and Grantmakers could collectively raise their concern regarding this issue after all these years, thus coming up with a solution.

For Example: Outbound Funds Module is an open-source product that was built to help organizations disburse funds quickly and easily.

To enhance the collaboration between grantors and grantees, salesforce.org has built Grants Management as a complement to Outbound Funds. This has improved the grants experience right from the step of applying for the application to its distribution to its reporting.

Another example is The Malala Foundation. It records donor interactions through Grant Management and takes supporters on a convenient ride – right from the first step of initial conversation to the last step of donating. This not only lets them have an insight into how the donor’s journey has been but also the zeal to improve since they have the loopholes.

Thus, the relationship between grantors and grantees is likely to turn less transactional and more collaborative in 2021.

Some key changes that will be introduced are –

• Better processes
• Higher transparency
• More feedbacks

Wrapping Up

With the world adapting to the new normal after the pandemic, it is only natural that people will adapt to the changes introduced in the nonprofit sector.

Because the world demanded it, even iConnectX as a brand revamped itself and now offers all nonprofits a digital platform and the right technology to hold virtual events, raise funds, carry out auctions, and more.

The thing is one can’t really lag when there’s a shift in the needs of the community.

Nevertheless, all the trends that are bound to evolve in the nonprofit sector will only give it a push to achieve newer and better heights. Even though it might seem difficult to replace the personal touch of a call, technology will soon take over, turning automation into the new “personal.”

It’s all subjective.

In case you are struggling or ever struggle dealing with the digitalization/virtualization of nonprofits or any of the points discussed above, remember iConnectX is just a live chat/call away.

Mentorship programs are an absolute win-win for everyone involved, be it the mentors, mentees, or the organization.

But, what exactly are mentoring programs?

How are they designed?

Why do they need a lot of work?

How do they function in nonprofits?

Let’s find out, one answer at a time:

What Is Mentoring?

Mentoring is an act wherein, usually, a senior employee takes a junior employee under his wing and trains him for organizational goals. Depending on the type of mentoring, these goals may/may not be measurable. But one thing that forever remains measurable in mentorship is the fact that everyone involved ends up upgrading their skills.

How Mentoring Helps The Mentee:

Be it a new joinee or an existing employee, a good mentoring relationship helps the volunteers/workers understand their role and goals better. It, thus, leads to effective learning, constructive guidance, and skill development of the mentee.

How Mentoring Helps the Mentor:

When you guide a person, it is only natural for you to pick up a new thing or two. Therefore, mentors get a chance to put their leadership and communication skills to use, all the while brushing up their own knowledge.

Also Read: How to Find a Good Mentor

How Mentoring Helps The Organization:

An organization that learns together, leads together! And why not? When there’s a culture that makes people feel valued and loved, productivity is bound to increase by leaps and bounds.

What Is Nonprofit Mentoring & Why Is It Important?

Nonprofit mentoring is the mentorship structure set up in a nonprofit. It is beneficial now more than ever as the volunteers at the nonprofits need to wear a lot of hats. With crunched up resources, each person needs to be quite literally a one-person army and that’s possible only when the guidance at the initial stages is spot-on.

For this to happen, it is important that a mentoring program is put into action so the newbies are quick in switching to a role that demands urgent attention.

It also increases the retention rate since this is one of the major challenges that nonprofits face.

To delve a little more into the importance of nonprofit mentoring, one absolutely stunning thing is that it’s self-promotion in itself. When the volunteers/workers are happy about the workings of an institution, the magic called ‘word-of-mouth’ unfurls. This kind of publicity is the best publicity and non-profit mentorship gives a massive boost to it.

What Are Mentorship Programs?

Now that we understand the importance of mentoring, how exactly does it work out? If you have had the same question, the answer to this is – through Mentorship Programs.

Mentorship programs are the programs that connect people with similar skills so they can learn from one another and grow together. This is majorly done for an organization or an institute.

Mentoring programs have a mentor and a mentee wherein the mentor possesses more knowledge and skills with which he helps his mentee. This leads to the intellectual growth of both parties. While the mentor gets to work on his inter and intra-personal skills, the mentee gets to understand work at an exponential speed, giving him a chance to take pride in his growth.

And where there is growth in individuals, the organization automatically grows. That’s perhaps why every institution is hard-pressed on creating mentorship programs that align well with their goals.

Tips To Create A Successful Mentoring Program

When it comes to mentorship programs, there is no “one-size fits all” philosophy that can be put to use. One constantly has to introduce changes and alterations in the program, depending on what the goals (individual and professional) are, to make it a success.

Also Read: What is Peer Mentoring

However, there are certain tips that one can keep in mind before working on a mentorship program, so it yields better results. Some of them are:

• Clarity in Expectations
• Making the Right Match
• Regular Meetings
• Setting a Timeline for Mentorship
• Genuine Feedback
• Creating Work Reports
• Reviewing Work Reports

While these tips are sure to help, it isn’t a guaranteed stepping stone of success. Mentoring programs are hit-and-trial efforts that can benefit immensely if timely changes are introduced and loopholes are sealed. Only when the efforts are clubbed and people are passionate does this work out.

How Are Mentorship Programs in Nonprofits Set Up?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a mentorship program in nonprofits:

Create a Goal

Creating a goal is of the utmost importance as it is the foundation and sets the pitch for people to understand why and how the program will prove to be helpful in their personal and professional growth.

Decide on a Mentorship Model

There are various mentorship models like:

• One-on-one Mentorship
• Team Mentorship
• Multiple Mentorship
• Peer Mentorship
• Distance Mentorship

While these are all self-explanatory terms, the best one, to begin with, is one-on-one mentorship if the program is in the initial phase.

Find the Right Match & Train Them

This is the most crucial step in setting up a mentorship program in a nonprofit. It is because the mentors and mentees vibing well is a pre-requisite of mentoring programs resulting in success. Once this step is executed well, consider more than half of the work done.

Now that you know how nonprofit mentorship programs are formed, let’s understand how you can find mentorship programs near you.

How do I Find Mentorship Programs Near Me?

While we understand that finding a mentorship program is easier said than done, the first step is to type in all forms of keywords like “mentorship programs near me”, “mentoring programs in nonprofits near me” and likewise.

Also Read: Why Corporate Mentoring Programs are Not Enough

You are likely to see organizations with detailed explanations regarding what model they work on and how they work. Since the benefits of a mentoring program unfurl only when it is effectively set up, make sure you observe how the organization works and carries out its day-to-day activities.

Mentorship Programs for Professionals

Data reveals that 70% of Fortune 500 companies in the US have mentoring programs. Apart from achieving the goals that were set for the programs, these are proving to be a source of inspiration for other corporate companies. This clearly shows how the success of the company is directly proportional to the success of the mentorship program which deals with the success of individuals at the base level.

With umpteen mentorship programs being put to use, the internet is quite literally flooded with professional mentorship programs that one can imitate. However, customized programs of mentoring are the best!

Benefits of Mentorship Programs for Professionals

• High turnover rates
• Increased productivity
• Skilled employee base
• Employee retention
• Positive work environment

Wrapping Up

So, the fact that mentorship programs are quintessential in helping an organization build itself from zero to hero is clear. But what might not be is where to connect with “like-minded” people or mentors!

If you are struggling in this area, iConnectX is a leading social platform for nonprofits that can help you out! Professional networking is one of our many assets, using which you can with the right people at the right time to do the right job.

All you need to do for this is to connect with us. You can do that either by giving us a call or by joining the live chat.

Our brains are wired in a way that the moment the word ‘volunteering’ pops, we imagine tending to the needs of the elderly, tutoring the underprivileged, and likewise. All in person!

However, it’s time we change this because Virtual Volunteering is now the talk of the town and this trend is here to stay for the good. But what is this new thing people call Virtual Volunteering? Let’s find out.

What is Virtual Volunteering?

Virtual volunteering or online volunteering is when someone donates their virtual time and skills to an organization or an institution without physically being present at the site. All you need is an internet connection to deliver your skills from the comfort of your home!

Virtual Volunteering proved to be a boon during the pandemic, and had it not been for the coronavirus, this trend would have still been at a nascent stage. But now, online volunteering has not just bloomed, it quite literally has a garden of its own.

Also Read: How to Create a Virtual Auction – The Ultimate Guide to Set Up

And why not? With the world adjusting to ‘working from home’ scenarios, volunteering virtually for a cause that is close to one’s heart makes perfect sense. Moreover, this shift was important to keep the economy of the country up and running, and for the nonprofits that mostly depend on volunteer work.

The Importance of Online Volunteering Opportunities

While the pandemic opened the Pandora Box of problems, the way online volunteering opportunities has put most of them back is commendable. The list of how it has benefited the e-volunteers (digital volunteers or virtual volunteers) is huge. Some of the noteworthy benefits are:

Flexibility

In online volunteer work, you are your own boss and can work at your own pace and time. There can nothing be better than this! This way, one not only ends up developing time-management skills but has something concrete to add to the resume. What more; the search engines designed to offer virtual service opportunities enable the volunteers to filter the opportunities as per the time they want to devote.

Skill-based

You only have to present your skills. You are not required to dress up and represent the firm. This means one can be a night owl or a morning person as per the mood. Not only this, between the two focus points i.e. a virtual volunteer and an online virtual opportunity, there are absolutely no restrictions that prevail like physical deformities, distance, dirty politics, etc. If you are skilled, you will lead no matter what!

Global

You can fully explore the sea of online virtual opportunities as you are no longer restricted either by distance, location, or area. Instead, taking up online volunteer work for a new, far-off location will only enhance your skills, better your sense of understanding, and teach you new things. Now, what can be better than this? You are enjoying and learning at the same time. A total win-win situation.

Also Read: Virtual Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits – Online Events

Online/Virtual Service Opportunities

Now that we know the importance of virtual volunteer opportunities, let’s delve a bit deeper into what sort of service opportunities can one find in the virtual world. Some of them are as follows:

• Translating/Transcription of documents
• Proofreading documents/translations/transcripts
• Researching on topics for content management
• Designing a website/inner pages/landing pages
• Writing press releases and proposals
• Designing SMO posts to keep people engaged
• Organizing events to create awareness
• Designing a newsletter or a publication
• Providing expertise – legal, financial, business
• Counselling people
• Mentoring the mentees
• Managing accounts
• Developing strategic plans for the firm’s growth
• Creating logo
• Raising funds for a cause
• Empowering the volunteers to make the most of fundraising
• Tutoring kids

Please note that these virtual service opportunities are just the tip of the iceberg. The online volunteer opportunities offered in the real world are much more diverse than this and the number is a lot higher too. You can type in keywords like “online volunteer opportunities” or “virtual online work for nonprofits” or anything that you deem fit to search online. If not, we have a ready reckoner of resources for you to refer to in case you are falling short of virtual volunteering ideas.

Some Volunteer Resources That Can Help You Out

• AARP’s Create the Good
• Idealist.org hub of Covid-19-related virtual volunteer opportunities
• All for Good, a service of the Points of Light Foundation
• The United Nations posts global volunteering opportunities
• Volunteer Match’s Covid-19 hub

Virtual Volunteer Events

Now, what if you choose to be a part of an organization that needs to raise funds for a cause? An event will have to be put into an order where people can bid (if it’s an auction) or donate (if it’s a donation), right?

And clearly, in-person donations and auctions are something nobody would prefer, especially now when the world is wreaking havoc, thanks to the pandemic. But just because in-person events are off the table doesn’t mean organizations can’t raise money!

It’s here that virtual volunteer events fill in the gap. However, how online volunteer events work is a thing to discuss.

How Do Virtual Volunteer Events Work?

The steps involved in making any virtual event work are as follows:

1. Choose the right platform for the online event to raise funds for nonprofit
2. Promote the virtual event as much as possible
3. Connect with the supporters
4. Follow-up with the supporters

Among all these points, nothing really works if the foundation is flawed. Choosing the right platform/ software for the virtual event is, thus, the base that can make or break the entire event.

The platform should be such that it is user-friendly, allows easy payments, provides notifications, and encourages participation.

How to Choose the Right Platform for Virtual Events?

• Choose an all-in-one platform that has everything in place.
• Go for the technology that offers virtual networking.
• Look if the platform offers additional insights and tools.
• Pay attention to the user-experience the platform offers.

One of the best platforms worth considering is iConnectX as it not only encourages online participation, it also fulfills the above criteria. And any platform that fulfills the same is bound to make any virtual online event a total success.

Wrapping Up

Virtual volunteering is, thus, a process that encompasses a volunteer helping an institute from the comfort of the home using skills that are delivered online.

While the benefits of online volunteering are umpteen and can easily be understood, finding online volunteer opportunities are a tad bit on the tougher end. And what is even tougher is its execution part. Because we understand the entire scenario, resources wherefrom opportunities can be found are shared along with the platform you can use to carry on with virtual events.

Long story short, going ahead with an online event can be tricky but not when you have the right software. iConnectX is one of the best solutions for the same. Being a leading event management platform, one can easily promote, tally registrations, sell tickets, and do a lot more to make the online event a success.

Get in Touch with Us

If you still have how(s), why(s), and what(s) making you feel dizzy, we are here to help you out. All you need to do is get in touch with one of our team members by either giving us a call or by joining the live chat.

The fundraising landscape has undergone a complete transformation during the last year. These changes were probably imminent, but the pandemic has speeded the process. A phenomenal rise in the number of donors worldwide coupled with online donations becoming the preferred mode of giving have given nonprofits food for thought on adapting to the changing scenario!

Although 2020 was not a year to write home about, it has been a year that has witnessed a boost of nearly 7.5% in year on year giving in the first six months. (Source: Report by Fundraising Effectiveness Project) It is also encouraging to observe that the first six months of 2020 also saw an increase 12.6% in new donors and the donor retention rate surged by 1.8%. (Source: Philanthropy News Digest )

It is heartening to observe the growth in the attitude among people across different demographics globally to donate in different ways to charities amid the pandemic. However, when an individual or an organization donates, they would like to make sure that they are connecting with genuine nonprofits. Hence, the onus is entirely on the nonprofit to use the right resources and establish its creditability. An online fundraising platform is the best way for a nonprofit to make itself visible in the digital world.

Also, the nonprofit should ensure that it offers and experience that meets the expectations of its users.

What do the donors want?

• Information about the nonprofit before they donate.
• They want simple and secure donation methods.
• They want to feel a part of a charity initiative.
• There are some who also want their act of philanthropy to be in the public eye.

Fundraising platforms are the best solution for nonprofits to cope with the ever-changing demands of the audience.

A fundraising platform offers a central source to manage different aspects of online fundraising. It helps manage multiple donors, organize campaigns, offer forms, facilitate credit card donations and many more.

When you search for best fundraising websites on Google, you will find a list of names such as Classy, Fundly, Donately, etc. And, when you look at the detailed information about each one, you will find that each one offers features that might be just right for your nonprofit! So, which one do you choose?

Selecting a fundraiser can be quite overwhelming!

Let me make it easy for you by breaking it into small bites:

Step 1: Establishing the Purpose of the Platform

First, you need to find out why you need a fundraising platform-what are you trying to achieve through the platform? For instance, is your platform for attracting new donors or is it to move your existing donors to an online space? Each of such objectives warrant different features of the fundraising platform. Therefore, if you are clear with the purpose, it will make it easier for you to shortlist relevant platforms.

Step 2: Determining Fundraising Strategies for your Nonprofit

Each charity adopts different fundraising strategies such as crowdfunding, charity auctions, peer-to-peer fundraising, etc. There is specific software that supports each of these strategies. Therefore, you can select the platforms that offer the relevant software for your purpose. It may also happen that you may require a combination of software. It is recommended that you choose a platform that supports most fundraising strategies. Also, it should have the flexibility to support additional needs at a later stage. Identifying the relevant software further narrows down your search for the best fundraising platform.

Step 3: Comparing Online Fundraising Platforms

You can compare the different platforms based on the following criteria:

1. Support Offered: Make sure to check the support and training offered for setting up and running the online fundraising platform.

2. Flexibility to Customize: It is also important to choose a platform that can be customized for your nonprofit. it should be easy to customize the forms, etc. with your logo and color scheme so that it is easy for your audience to identify your brand.

3. Ease of Use: Choose a platform that is easy for you to set up and run while offering an excellent experience to your users.

You need to make donating simple for your users. Therefore, choose a fundraising website that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Also, make sure that your online donation platform offers plenty of secure donation options to users.

Make sure that the fundraising platform is responsive and allows donations through mobile as well.

4. Budget: By now you would have shortlisted the best online fundraising platforms for your nonprofit. Most of these nonprofit fundraising websites will likely offer comparable features. You can filter out the online fundraising platforms based on your budget. The cost of the platform is a vital factor for selection. While you must not compromise on the features required, you need to ascertain that the cost of the online fundraising platform is within your budget. It is recommended to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before deciding on the best online fundraising platform. Also, bear in mind that you might have to bear additional expenses for add-ons for some fundraising platforms.

Step 4: Finalizing

Once you have narrowed down your options to 2-3 fundraising platforms for nonprofits, check the reliability and performance. The best way to verify these aspects is by looking at the reviews and testimonials posted on the site. You could even connect with users and ask them about their experience with the platform. This will help you finalize the best online fundraising platform for your nonprofit.

This is a brief overview of how you can choose the best online fundraising platform for your nonprofit.

One of the best fundraising platforms for a nonprofit is iConnectX. This platform has all the features to support end-to-end event management, secure donations, forms, etc. iConnectX is a platform that has a long history in the field of philanthropy. It has been a part of several nonprofit initiatives over the years supporting both offline and online nonprofit events. The proven track record of iConnectX makes it an ideal fundraising platform for nonprofits. This platform supports a myriad of online fundraising strategies such as online auctions, crowdfunding, and many more.

iConnectX is a platform that has evolved over the years adapting to changing circumstances adopting innovative technologies. It has kept pace with technology to ensure that it offers its users the best experience while participating in philanthropic activities. It is a technologically advanced platform with regular updates to offer users the best features.