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THE GALA CAN STILL BE VIRTUAL
LET US HELP YOU BE SUCCESSFUL

TOP TIPS FOR YOUR VIRTUAL GALA

Nonprofits across the country quickly shifted in the spring of 2020 to hosting their in-person fundraisers on zoom, facebook live and other platforms. We now realize that virtual galas are a great way to build your audience, engage your community and, if planned in advance, you can raise even more money for your cause, mission and vision. 

Run of Show

If your organization has hosted the same gala or banquet for the last 15 or even 5 years, you know exactly what is supposed to happen 3 months prior, 1 week prior and the day of the event. Doing a new event in the virtual setting requires a new planning approach. Having a Run of Show that details what is happening minute to minute during your virtual gala makes for a more seamless event. 

What is the Best Platform for a Virtual Gala? 

There are many different event platforms and ways to streamline your event. You have to think about what experience you are trying to curate for your attendees and then think about the platform that aligns with the experience. Choosing an online platform is similar to choosing a physical venue for an event: It takes time, and the right choice must accommodate to your donors' and organizations needs. Some of our favorite platforms include: Zoom, HopIn, GotoTraining, Wonder, Gatherly, Lunhbox and more. It just depends on your goals!

It Takes Time to Plan

  • A virtual gala theme

  • VIP experience

  • Some audience engagement perhaps a breakout room, toast or trivia

  • A mix of pre-recorded and live speakers

  • Choosing a platform that is user friendly

  • Cultivating your donors and having a donor cultivating plan 

  • And more

The annual breakfast or evening gala that you hosted for the past 15 years required 100's of hours of planning. Just because an event is virtual doesn't mean you don't need to plan it. Elements that are great to incorporate into your virtual gala:

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Have a Call to Action 

Your call to action for your donors,  guests and attendees should be clear and at the forefront. If you are trying to raise $200,000 at your event, then providing opportunities to give and make donations at your event needs to be front and center and clear to your guests. 

NEED MORE ADVICE? CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES BELOW:
+ Adding music to your virtual event 
+ Breakout Rooms: Divide and Conquer
+ Bringing Your Silent Auction Online

Interested in our virtual event management, virtual event production
or tech support services for your online event?
Email us at info@nonprofitlearninglab.org for more details and pricing.

LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR VIRTUAL GALA

HOW WE CAN HELP

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We can offer 1:1 Coaching to learn about the goals of your meeting or online experience.

GALA PREP & COACHING

Offer 1:1 coaching to learn about the goals of your gala that you want to create and direct you to the best  platform for a great online fundraiser.

We can provide guidance, coaching and training to set you up for success.

GALA DESIGN & CURATION

We provide video editing, tech dress rehearsal, run of show template to get you organized and focus on best practices for engaging donors, guests, and attendees in the virtual space.  

We can manage all technology on the day of the event such as breakout rooms, chat, and more!

TECHNOLOGY

On the day of the gala we will manage breakout rooms, sharing videos, the chat box, polls and Q&A so that you can focus on engaging and connecting with your donors.

We can provide tech support on the day of your virtual event.

DAY OF TECH SUPPORT

Provide tech support on the day of your virtual fundraiser from helping donors login to assisting presenters with sharing their audio, video, and slideshow.

We can set up a preparation session in which we work with you 1:1 to help you learn the platform, set up your event registration, and do a technology check.

PREP SESSIONS WITH PRESENTERS

Set up a preparation session in which we work with you 1:1 to help you learn the platform, set up your event registration, and do a technology check.

ORGANIZATIONS WE HAVE SUPPORTED 
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Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE).pn
MAS Logo
JPNDC logo
Pivotal Logo Print Media Downloads-01.jp
LTV logo
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SEJ logo
icstars logo
Humane Society of Harrisburg Area logo
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Higher Achievement Logo
FCH logo
ULC Logo
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