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Remember the days when “event planning” meant booking a venue, ordering trays of catered food, and hoping the weather didn’t pull a fast one? Well, virtual events have completely rewritten that playbook. And for part-time fundraisers juggling a million things, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Virtual fundraising events are more than just a pandemic-era workaround. Done right, they can be flexible, affordable, and surprisingly personal. The key is to rethink what “connection” and “engagement” look like in a digital space.

So let’s talk about how to host a virtual event that actually raises money and leaves donors feeling good about hitting that “donate now” button—from the comfort of their couch.

Start with a Clear Purpose (Not Just “We Need Money”)

Yes, fundraising is the goal. But your event needs a deeper purpose to draw people in. Maybe it’s celebrating a milestone, highlighting a success story, or rallying your community around a new initiative. People want to feel like they’re part of something meaningful, not just tuning into a glorified telethon.

Think of your virtual event as a storytelling platform. What do you want attendees to remember, feel, and do after it ends? This guiding question will shape everything from your event name to your run-of-show.

Choose the Right Format for Your Audience

Not every virtual event needs to be a full-blown production. In fact, simplicity often works better, especially for small teams with limited time. Consider your audience’s attention span and comfort level with technology.

A quick 30-minute impact update on Zoom with a few heartfelt testimonials can be just as effective as a polished livestream with multiple speakers. Virtual trivia nights, cooking demos, coffee chats with your founder, and behind-the-scenes tours have all proven to work when they feel authentic.

Above all, keep it real. People will forgive a glitch or two if your message is strong and your mission is clear.

Tech Doesn’t Have to Be Terrifying

We get it. Tech can be intimidating, especially when your to-do list is already taller than your coffee mug. But you don’t need to be a live-streaming wizard to pull this off.

Stick with platforms you’re already familiar with, or that your audience likely knows how to use. Zoom, YouTube Live, Instagram Live, and even Facebook Events are great for keeping things simple.

Test everything in advance—especially audio and lighting. And have a plan for what happens if something goes wrong (because, let’s be honest, it might). A quick “Plan B” could be as simple as having your speaker join by phone or sharing a pre-recorded video.

Engagement Is Everything

One of the biggest challenges with virtual events is keeping people’s attention when there are so many distractions (hello, email tabs and barking dogs). So plan moments of interaction—ask questions in the chat, run quick polls, shout out donors in real time, or offer fun giveaways.

Your event should feel like a conversation, not a presentation. If you can make someone smile, feel seen, or inspired to share your mission with a friend, you’ve already won.

Follow-Up Like a Pro

The event isn’t over when you click “end meeting.” This is where many fundraisers drop the ball. Your post-event follow-up is where the real magic happens.

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours (bonus points for including a behind-the-scenes photo or video clip). Share a short recap on social media. And—most importantly—give attendees an easy next step. Whether it’s donating, joining your newsletter, or signing up to volunteer, don’t leave them wondering, “Now what?”

Also, don’t forget to gather feedback. A quick survey asking what they loved (or what they zoned out during) will help you level up next time.

Final Thoughts

Virtual events might not have the clink of champagne glasses or the buzz of a full room, but they offer something just as valuable: accessibility, authenticity, and connection across distance.

With a little planning, the right tools, and a clear message, you can create an experience that builds community and raises real support for your mission.

So go ahead—launch that invite, fire up the webcam, and remind your donors why they care.

You’ve got this.

And if you’re looking for software that makes tracking donors and follow-ups from your event super simple, check out Karani. It’s made for fundraisers who don’t have time to mess with clunky spreadsheets or complicated CRMs.