Physical events are making a comeback
Feels good to get out and about in the real world after two years of restrictions, doesn’t it?
And it's not just the general public that’s glad to see the back of COVID.
The combination of lockdowns, social distancing, and reduced income due to furlough and redundancies has impacted 90% of charities.
Fundraising events stalled; volunteer numbers dwindled, and donations took a big hit,
However, things are looking up. Physical events are making a comeback. Research shows that more than 50% of the public are now happy to get out and mingle again.
In this post, we’re going to take a moment to understand how the pandemic impacted charities, and how the return of physical events will benefit charities.
Fundraising hit hard
The charity sector was one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus. Donations dropped
Surveys show 1% of charities shut down permanently, and another 1% merged with other organisations in a last-ditch effort to stay afloat.
How did charities cope?
Those that survived were forced to innovate by finding a way to deliver their services online and run their events digitally.
This wasn’t possible for every charity, so many were forced to find alternative funding sources.
Time to get back out there
Let’s face it. Nothing beats the camaraderie of in-person events. And the value of f2f can’t be ignored. Research by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) shows that for every £1 spent on face-to-face fundraising, £4.20 is returned. That’s a whopping 320% ROI.
However, virtual events are not going to be relegated to the history books any time soon.
Trends suggest that hybrid events are set to become the new normal.
A prime example is the London Marathon, which, this year, will take place virtually, alongside the traditional inner-city run.
But this is good news. Hybrid events provide charities with an opportunity to raise funds through multiple funnels as they look to rebuild after a couple of very difficult years.
Getting event-ready
Looking to recruit an events fundraiser? We can help. Contact us on 0203 750 3111 to talk tactics.