Big Question:
How do we organize, motivate, and mobilize a group of professionals to make an impact despite most of our go-to strategies being cancelled due to a global pandemic?
In Summary:
By focusing on empowering individuals and small groups, we not only maintained a significant portion of our fundraising, but we were even more succesfull than pre-pandemic at engaging board members and creating opportunities for leadership development.
Background:
For more than 20 years, Good Sports has driven equitable access in youth sports and physical activity, by supporting children in high-need communities to achieve their greatest potential, on the field and in life.
I joined the Young Professionals Board as a member in 2018, and became co-chair in 2022, eventually stepping down from the board during international travel through 2023 and part of 2024.
Problem:
Previous to the pandemic, a majority of our board's contribution to fundraising was through one main event each spring.
Additionally, connecting with like-minded people and opportunities for professional growth were main motivators for people joining the board, and with in-person gathering off the table, this became more difficult as well.
Alternative Solutions:
Pursue one major event but in a virtual environment.
Lower expectations until more normal times resume.
Prioritize individual giving and appeals for funds.
Implementation:
Across 2020 and 2021, we spread out more small and medium-sized events, creating more opportunities for board engagement.
Results:
In 2019, we raised over $21,000 from our main fundraising event, $16,000 from all other sources. In 2020, we still raised over $15,000, and 2021, despite still being unable to host our main event, we raised over $21,000 across the year, far exceeding our reduced target of $14,000.
We also created more opportunities for growth throughout the year, instead of being as focused on one big push for a major event.