With summer vacation coming to an end across the country many kids are starting to return to school. For some, this meant going back to college. For others, this meant going back to secondary school. Regardless, in the era we live in, we do not get to make the rules. Already, many colleges and universities have been forced to switch to online mode. This includes UNC-Chapel Hill, which didn't even make it a week before they had to send their students home, along with a few local GA school districts, where photos of kids not wearing masks went viral before hundreds of students tested positive, forcing them to close as well.
Because so many kids have been forced to shift back to online school, many are wondering what this means for their clubs. After all, clubs are a great way for students to explore their interests and narrow their focus as they seek to broaden their horizons outside of what is merely taught in textbooks. While they might not be able to go to school physically, numerous businesses still remain open, which means that there are still opportunities for club activities. Regardless, these activities take money. That means that club fundraisers still play an important role. While students cannot perform traditional bake sales, there are still ways to raise money virtually. What does this look like?
First, virtual fundraisers for school need to leverage the power of social media. This is the quickest way for a virtual fundraiser to reach a large number of people in a short amount of time. Try to set up a fundraiser page and have it shared across all social media platforms. The more people see the fundraiser, the more likely the fundraiser will collect a large number of donations. Some of the most popular platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Next, make sure the fundraising page is easy to use. Remember that some of the people who will be donating to the fundraiser might not be tech-savvy. It can be harder to donate to a fundraiser online when compared to other fundraisers that take place in person. Therefore, make sure there are large donate buttons on the donation page. Then, make sure the donation system can accept multiple forms of payment. This includes credit cards, debit cards, Paypal, and even Apple Pay. Don't lose a donation purely because the page doesn't know how to process that payment method.
Finally, post updates about the fundraiser regularly. Running a virtual fundraiser doesn't mean setting it up and forgetting about it. It means working hard to collect as many donations as possible. Post updates regularly. See if there are any creative videos that are tailored to the purpose of the club. The funnier they are, the more views they are going to get. Then, share these updates on social media to make sure the fundraiser stays at the top of people's newsfeeds. This is how a virtual fundraiser can reach as many people as possible.
These are just a few of the ways that students can raise money for their school clubs in a virtual setting. As many kids go back to school, some will be going back to school virtually. This means that they are going to have to rethink how they can raise money for their school clubs. Following these tips can help students have a well-rounded and fulfilling educational experience even in this unique era.
