"Thanks to GiveSmart, our virtual galas were successful financially (which was a big relief) and in quality (which was just as important to us). We experienced a higher net profit for both of our virtual galas compared to in-person galas of previous years."
Products
Key Features
Donations
25%
increase in net profit for DC Gala
40%
increase in net profit for NY Gala
Supporting Our Aging Religious (SOAR!) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising funds and grants to help Catholic congregations across the U.S. care for their elderly and infirm members. SOAR! holds two important fundraising galas each year, one in New York City and the other in Washington, D.C. Both galas have been a significant source of funding for SOAR! ‘s beneficiaries for the past 34 years. However, in 2020, SOAR! was forced to cancel both events due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. The SOAR! team decided to create virtual events in place of both galas and began searching for a virtual production partner.
Challenge & Solution
The SOAR! team vetted ten different online fundraising platforms before choosing GiveSmart. The platform stood out for its robust virtual fundraising capabilities and expert support. SOAR! broadcast the live events in Washington, D.C. and New York City on separate event pages with text-to-donate instructions and a donation progress circle. Attendees could see their donation amount and name displayed on the screen, creating a live-giving experience.
During the planning process, the SOAR! team decided it would be a mistake to try to imitate their usual in-person event and instead focused on creating a new program that highlights SOAR!’s mission while giving honorees an opportunity to accept their SOAR! awards in a stylish setting. Their primary focus was to present the religious communities of Sisters, Brothers, and Priests as the stars of the galas. SOAR! promoted both galas through social media, email marketing, and direct mail channels. SOAR! kept both programs to 40 minutes to keep attendees’ attention, while their president, Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, emceed both events.
Results
SOARS!’s New York City and Washington, D.C., galas were successful both financially and in quality. Their net profit (revenue minus expenses) for the 2020 SOAR! New York Awards Gala (a virtual gala) was approximately 40% higher than the 2019 New York Awards Gala (an in-person dinner). The 2020 D.C. Gala raised nearly the same amount of revenue as the 2019 DC Gala, with a 15% increase in net profit. The SOAR! team discovered they could create a compelling virtual event program that engaged supporters, honored beneficiaries, and still raised critical funds with lower overhead costs.