10 Virtual Fundraisers That Make Raising Money Easier

Virtual fundraising is the name of the game in fundraising today. A virtual fundraiser is a fundraiser that is done exclusively in person, both without the need for the organization to get together, and without the need for donors to donate in person. It takes digital fundraising a step further because with most digital fundraisers, you at least are with your team, program, or organization at some point to discuss the fundraiser. In this case, a virtual fundraiser, you don’t even have to get your group together in person.

Virtual fundraisers have become one of the easiest ways for teams, schools, clubs, nonprofits, and community groups to raise money without organizing a major in-person event. Instead of relying on concerted in person efforts that take a lot of effort, virtual fundraising allows supporters to give from anywhere.

That matters because most organizations have supporters well beyond their local area. Alumni, grandparents, family friends, former players, church members, and community supporters may not be able to attend an event, but they can still make a donation online when the process is simple.

The best virtual fundraisers are easy to launch, easy to share, and easy for supporters to understand. Here are 10 virtual fundraising ideas that can help your group raise more money with less hassle.

1. Virtual Teamfi Crowdfunding Campaign

An online donation campaign, often known as “crowdfunding” is one of the most straightforward virtual fundraisers you can find. Your organization creates a custom fundraising page with a reputable online fundraising software like Teamfi, and then it’s four easy steps:

• Explain what the money is for.
• Set an achievable fundraising goal. 
• Plug in your fundraiser participants and have them add in contacts.
• Share the link with supporters.

Why are crowdfunding campaigns easy? All the work you have to do is listed above. That’s it. Additional work just includes making sure your fundraiser organizers have gotten their 20 contacts in, but that’s easy to do with your program’s custom dashboard.

Just sit back, relax, and let our automated messaging system work your fundraiser for you. It’s easy and one of the highest yielding fundraisers you can run, tradition or virtual.

2. Virtual Restaurant Night

A virtual restaurant night lets your organization raise money through online orders from a local restaurant. Instead of asking supporters to attend in person at the same time, the restaurant gives your group a percentage of sales from pickup, delivery, or mobile orders placed during the fundraiser window. Popular restaurant chains like Chipotle and Krispy Kreme offer this style of fundraising.

A virtual restaurant night is best when your group promotes it early and often. Send reminders by text, post on social media, and ask participants to personally invite family and friends to order.

3. Virtual Fill My Campaign

Fill My Fundraising has become a popular virtual fundraising trend, and it works a lot like a calendar fundraiser, which we’ll cover later.

The idea is simple. You take a familiar image, like a football, softball, singlet, or school logo, and divide it into sections. Each section has a donation amount attached to it. Supporters then “claim” a section by making a donation.

This fundraiser can be done with a basic pen-and-paper form, but the stronger version is a virtual Fill My campaign. Instead of passing around a sheet or collecting cash, participants can share the fundraiser online and let supporters donate from anywhere. That makes it easier to reach family, friends, alumni, and local supporters without needing everyone in the same place.

4. Virtual Custom A-thon

The A-thon fundraiser is famously known as the best event-online hybrid fundraiser you can run. Think a swim-a-thon, a lift-a-thon, all of these require an event in person to run with an online donation aspect prior to the event.

How do you do that virtually? It’s actually a lot easier than you might think. Let’s take for example, a virtual walk-a-thon.

A virtual walk-a-thon is similar to an in-person one, just there isn’t a singular event. Participants track miles on their own time and log it in.

This is great for programs that already operate virtually or maybe a school sports team during the summer months. 

Virtual walk-a-thons are especially useful for causes tied to health, athletics, memorial funds, school programs, and community awareness campaigns. They give supporters something active to do while not having to block off a date.

5. Social Media Challenge Fundraiser

When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, this style of fundraising really boomed. A social media challenge fundraiser uses platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X to create momentum. Participants complete a challenge, make a donation, and tag others to do the same.

The challenge should be simple and easy to record. Trick shots, push-ups, pull-ups, and other simple actions.

The more personal the challenge feels, the better it performs. A basketball team might run a free throw challenge. A baseball team might do a swing challenge. A school might do a spirit wear challenge. Matching the challenge to your group makes it feel more natural.

6. Virtual Raffle

A virtual raffle allows supporters to buy entries online for a chance to win a prize. The prize can be donated by a local business, provided by the organization, or built around a theme.

Popular raffle prizes include gift cards, sports tickets, local restaurant packages, school spirit baskets, team gear, electronics, vacation packages, and donated services. The better the prize, the easier it is to promote.

Before running a raffle, your organization should check local rules. Raffle regulations can vary depending on where you are located and what type of organization is hosting the fundraiser.

7. Online Auction

An online auction is helpful for organizations that can collect donated items, experiences, or services. So there is an in-person element to this at least at the organization stage.

Supporters browse the items online and place bids during a set time period. Signed memorabilia, reserved parking spots, gift baskets, lessons, local experiences, restaurant packages, vacation stays, and custom items can all perform well.

The benefit of an online auction is that people can participate from anywhere. You are not limited to who can attend a banquet, gala, or in-person event. Supporters can bid from home, share the auction with friends, and check back as the deadline gets closer.

As with any of these fundraisers, the key is pre-marketing your event. This is a key for success.

8. Virtual Trivia Night

A virtual trivia night gives supporters a fun reason to gather online while raising money for your organization. Teams can pay an entry fee, compete over video call, and answer questions across different categories.

Partner with a company that allows for online virtual trivia and they'll be able to help you facilitate the process. Virtual trivia is fun and a way to make money without having to put together an in-person trivia night.

9. Virtual Calendar Fundraiser

We’ve talked about virtual crowdfunding and virtual a-thons. The last major player in virtual fundraising, but the biggest trending one, are virtual calendar fundraisers. 

Calendar fundraisers takes the idea of crowdfunding and puts it into an easy to use digital calendar. Donors pick days on the calendar, each with a value, and donates that total amount.

Let’s say your uncle picks days 4, 5, and 10 for your band program's fundraiser. That’s $19 going to your fundraiser. Fill your calendar? That’s nearly $500 not just total for your program, but per fundraiser.

So if you’ve got 50 participants and they all fill their calendars, that’s nearly $25,000 going to your calendar, and if you use Teamfi, you’re taking home 96-97%.

10. Text-to-Donate Campaign

A text-to-donate campaign makes virtual fundraising even easier by allowing supporters to receive and open a donation link directly from their phone. Instead of hoping people see an email or social post, your organization can reach supporters through a channel they are more likely to notice. A short text message with a personal note and donation link can feel more direct than a generic fundraising post.

You can use virtual fundraising platforms to make things easier as with all of these types of campaigns.

Why Virtual Fundraisers Work

Virtual fundraisers work because they're quite simply easier than traditional fundraisers. No product delivery, no cash collection, no order forms, and no need for every supporter to be local.

They also make it easier to reach more people. A strong virtual campaign can be shared by every participant, promoted through text, posted on social media, emailed to alumni, and sent to supporters who live anywhere.

The most successful virtual fundraisers usually have three things in common: a clear purpose, an easy donation process, and consistent sharing. When supporters understand the need and can give quickly, your organization has a much better chance of reaching its goal.

No matter which idea you choose, simplicity matters. The easier your fundraiser is to understand, share, and support, the more likely people are to participate.

Virtual fundraising gives your organization the ability to raise money beyond one event, one location, or one night. With the right approach, it can help you reach more supporters, save time, and raise more money online.