Dollars for Scholars Volunteers Share Fundraising Ideas During COVID
In late September and early October, three virtual Hear from Your Peers Sharing Sessions were offered across the Western, Central and Northeastern regions. More than 75 volunteers attended one of the three daytime sessions, where they had an opportunity to hear from one another about concerns and new ideas for fundraising in a continued socially distant environment. You can listen to one of the sharing sessions in Affiliate Resources.
Several volunteers mentioned having to put aside 4-6 in-person events due to COVID public health concerns. Since many Dollars for Scholars fundraise a year in advance of what is needed for their current class of graduating high school seniors, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted fundraising for the class of 2021, and possibly the class of 2022. However, that didn’t stop many volunteers from sharing their plans to meet this moment.
One Board Member from Fairport-Perinton Dollars for Scholars said she is very interested to use this time as an opportunity to reimagine their current approach to fundraising, “to be adaptable enough to seize the day.” Other volunteers said they attended the session for ideas that didn’t take a lot of time to implement.
Many described activities they would be using for the near future: targeted appeals (online or by mail), Facebook birthday fundraisers, employee payroll deduction campaigns, becoming designated on the local United Way donate-to-list, installing a large, visible fundraising thermometer in a central town space, virtual city tours and sporting event virtual “watch” parties. We encourage you to view Affiliate Resources for an updated appeal letter template, discussing current student needs and new options.
Keeping Your Mission in Front of The Community
Here’s a roundup of ideas that a number of Dollars for Scholars have implemented on behalf of students.
In-person events to “non-event events” or no-contact fundraisers
Tustin Dollars for Scholars hosted a Kentucky Derby “non-event” in early September. They transitioned what is normally an in-person event to focusing their messaging through their Facebook page and website.
ALHS Alumni Foundation Dollars for Scholars created made-to-order garden flags and face masks, and painted their high school logo on driveways. They communicated through email to more than 4,000 community members, which included an order form.
New Salem-Almont Dollars for Scholars made things a little interesting by creating a fundraiser called “The Cows Are Out.” Donors paid to host the Dollars for Scholars Holstein prop in their front yard for a specified amount of time.
In-person outdoor events to no-contact outdoor events
A few Dollars for Scholars took it to the streets with socially distanced run/walk events. Stamford Dollars for Scholars held their 5k run/walk October 2-4. They found that while a little harder to attract participation virtually, the low costs associated with the virtual event created higher fundraising returns. Canton Dollars for Scholars’ Trick or Trot 5k run was recently held on Saturday, October 24. Here’s a write-up from Collinsville Press with more details and photos from the event. Marblehead Dollars for Scholars held a virtual walk October 18-25 to honor Judy Jacobi, a longtime volunteer of the organization. You can read more about the virtual walk here.
The Villages Dollars for Scholars held driveway and parking lot socially distant concerts. They used word of mouth that helped expand a concert from one driveway to several driveway events. Here is one write-up from The Villages Daily Sun on their recent Octoberfest event.
In-person to virtual events
Gettysburg Area Dollars for Scholars is in the planning stages to host a virtual event where current donors invite potential donors to the event, with former scholarship recipients and guest speakers.
South Colonie Dollars for Scholars plans to host a virtual Paint and Sip event with art teachers. They too are in the planning stages and working to get supplies to event participants.
We’ve all had to make some major changes in the past year, and we salute all of our Dollars for Scholars volunteers who are thinking outside the box to ensure our continued ability to support students.