Portland, OR. With stay-at-home orders in place in Oregon and Southwest Washington, and bans on large social gatherings due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many charitable organizations have had to move their spring benefits online.
Tucker Maxon School faced one such situation. With less than two weeks to make a pivot from a traditional live benefit auction, Tucker Maxon held a live virtual gala on April 3rd. The event (pictured above) raised $176,000.
OES’s state-of-the-art design center was the site of its 34th annual auction, the first virtual event in the school’s history.
Samantha Swaim from Swaim Strategies has helped many of her clients pivot. She explains, “If an organization has a dedicated donor base, online virtual engagement is absolutely a powerful way to keep donors invested. Originally when the restrictions on gatherings occurred, we were still able to gather in small groups, so we saw a lot of opportunities to really leverage table hosts to still host small gatherings and to conduct a studio-recorded version. Now that the stay at home orders are in place, we have seen organizations very effectively migrate to broadcast from home.
Swaim says virtual benefit like the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp online event raised $214,000, Community Action raised $205,000
Bridges Middle School raised approximately $120,000.
Below are some of Swain’s suggestions for going virtual:
When pivoting to a virtual event, you can utilize all of your in-person event elements (auction, videos, script) and arrange them into a much shorter event format and engage your key constituents in some immediate and valuable fundraising.
While you may not raise as much as with your in-person event, you will be able to capitalize on the moment and let donors continue to be heroes creating impact and funding your work. Canceling an event means no fundraising, but going virtual can help you continue to bring in funds.
Your event’s special appeal holds the largest fundraising potential at your event. So, without an event, consider ways to build an even-more imperative case for your work with an e-appeal to your donors.
Watch the video here and get point-by-point instruction with illustrative examples, and start to create your own impactful e-appeal communications now.
Relationship Cultivation + Management
On a larger level, the truth is that this may become a climate where it becomes harder to fundraise. But something that is always good for fundraisers to spend time doing is cultivate donors.
Run a GoFundMe Campaign
If you have a specific need you’re funding, especially if it is in response to the outbreak, put together a contained GoFundMeCampaign on a fixed timeline to gather your community around a cause they can immediately impact.
For nonprofit organizations, Facebook goes a step beyond simple social distancing and provides easy-to-use tools to help you fundraise online. Facebook’s Charitable Giving Toolsprovide a simple way for you to raise money through Facebook—and 100% of the donations go directly to your work.
Convert Your Live + Silent Auctions into an Online Auction
You’ve already done all the procurement for your event, so use those items to fundraise now by converting your auctions into an online auction. Communicate often with donors to let them know where to find the auction and to create buzz around some of the packages. But, most importantly, build the case that their purchase of auction items will fund your important work at this very crucial time. Use countdowns to the auction closure in your communications to prompt action on deadline.
Greater Giving occasionally offers discounts to activate the mobile bidding platform to facilitate online auctions.
Portland, OR. Have you been looking for a way to volunteer your time to help alleviate suffering during the COVID-19 crisis? Well, we’ve got some great ideas to share. You can learn about both remote and on-site volunteer options at the website: VolunteerMatch. Get involved in our community from the safety of your own home
The site offers thousands of volunteer options. There is both a local need and you can also help remotely across the country, in some of the hardest-hit areas by offering assistance with things like tutoring kids who are struggling to learn at home.
Independent Sector
Volunteerism is an essential part of our country’s social fabric and is perhaps most vital during times of crisis. And unlike familiar crises, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the very nature of how people can connect with and help each other.
Writing a quick card or letter with a positive message will brighten the day of clients who receive grocery deliveries! If you do not wish to write a message, that is okay! Artwork will also be accepted (photographs, drawings, paintings).
Feel free to be creative and have fun. Bonus points if you can incorporate food into your work!
This is also a great project for kids.
Please keep the cards secular and avoid mentioning any specific holidays.
For more details contact [email protected]
Please mail your finished cards to: Lift UP 2701 NW Vaughn Street Suite 102
Portland, OR 97210
Portland, OR. The Oregon Humane Society has launched a state-wide effort to distribute pet food to shelters, rescue organizations, and food pantries. On April 22nd, three OHS trucks were packed with dog food, cat food, and litter. They headed to Hood River, Pendleton, and Eugene. Deliveries will continue each Tuesday and Thursday for the next month with the goal of providing assistance to all 36 counties throughout Oregon. More than 50,000 pounds of pet food is expected to be distributed and GreaterGood.org donated about 27,000 pounds of pet food.
“The Oregon Humane Society is here to serve the entire state, especially during this difficult time,” says Sharon Harmon, OHS President and CEO. “We are very thankful to our partners who have supported OHS and made this donation possible,” added Harmon.
Recipients on April 22nd included Greenhill Humane Society in Eugene, FISH Food Bank in Hood River and PAWS in Pendleton. On April 24th, teams from OHS head to Humane Society of Central Oregon and Josephine County.
From the Oregon Humane Society:
The Oregon Humane Society is the Northwest’s oldest and largest humane society, with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. OHS receives no government funds for its adoption, education and animal cruelty investigation programs. Visit oregonhumane.org for more information.
Portland, OR. Every spring, DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency Hospital sees an increase in injured stray animal and wildlife cases. The nonprofit is encouraging good Samaritans who find healthy stray animals to keep them safe and contact their county’s animal services agency directly. DoveLewis President Ron Morgan explained, “Strays are more likely to be reunited with their families in their home shelter, and that helps us focus our team’s resources on the animals in need of medical care.”
Springtime is dubbed “Kitten Season” because of the boom of stray kittens inevitably born each spring, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. “Last year we treated nearly 1,200 stray or wild animals, and we’ve started seeing an influx of baby birds already. We’re ready, but we could use some extra help from the community,” said Morgan. DoveLewis can provide emergency stabilization and care for hundreds of strays and wildlife each year through its donor-funded Stray Animal & Wildlife Program, but with agencies and veterinary clinics adjusting their services and protocols to accommodate COVID-19 precautions, capacity is limited. “We’re here to help always, but everyone can do their part to make sure care is going to the animals who need it most.”
If you find an injured wild animal or bird during regular business hours, call Portland Audubon. If you come across an injured animal in the evening or on the weekends, use your best judgment on whether the animal can be rescued and delivered to DoveLewis safely. Here’s a link to the Portland Audubon Society: http://www.audubonportland.org
Here’s what you can do if you find an injured or stray animal:
Determine if the animal is actually injured. Often times, stray domestic animals appear injured but are actually just fearful. If you see no obvious injuries or unhealthy behavior, contact your county’s animal services agency.
Uninjured wildlife should never be touched. Baby animals, especially birds, may appear abandoned, but they are likely being cared for by their parents even if it’s not immediately obvious. Some bird species leave the nest and spend as many as two to five days on the ground before they can fly. During this time, the birds are learning vital life skills. Unless an injury is visible and obvious, leaving them alone will give them the best chance of survival.
Assess the safety of the situation. Make sure you are protected from the environment, like moving cars and running water, as well as the animal. If an animal is in pain and fearful, you never know how it will react. If you have any reservations about rescuing or handling a domestic stray animal, call your local county animal services.
Cover and contain. If the animal is obviously injured and can be transported safely, find a towel, blanket or thick gloves to use while handling the animal to put a barrier between you and the animal. Place the animal in any available safe container – a carrier or a box is ideal. Make sure the animal is as comfortable as possible and secure in the container. Many animals, especially small ones, are stunned when injured and will fly or scurry away when they are more alert. Please remember, it is illegal (and unsafe for you and the injured animal) to attempt to rehabilitate a wild animal on your own.
About DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital:
DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. With over 46 years of service to the community, DoveLewis has treated more than 500,000 animals. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal-loving community. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.
Portland, OR. Pittock Mansion’s current exhibit, Mount Hood Perspectives, is now available to view online. The exhibit is a juried community art show featuring the artistic interpretations of Portland’s most famous natural focal point by local photographers and artists. The gallery features photographs, like Joe Whittington‘s The Pearly Gates, which can be purchased through the site’s secure web store.
You can also take an interesting and educational virtual tour of the Pittock Mansion, which includes some “off-limit” staff areas. Check out this link: Pittock Mansion Virtual Tour.
Supporters hope the tour will whet your appetite for an in-person visit when the historic mansion reopens.
Pittock Mansion’s Mount Hood Perspectives was created by curators to draw visitors. Outreach for the exhibit includes this explanation: Mount Hood is a key part of Portland’s skyline, seated atop the Cascade Range to the east of the city. Residents and visitors alike look forward to when the clouds part and the mountain is visible, admiring how its snowy slopes vary from hour to hour, season to season. Discover artistic interpretations of this Portland icon by local artists. Click through the artists’ names below for more information and to view their online portfolios.
“It was particularly hard to close the Mansion during this exhibit because the art show features the work of local artists,” Curator Patti Larkin explains. “So we are excited that this exhibit is now available online for people to enjoy, while also providing an opportunity for individuals to support a section of our community that has been hit hard by the current situation.”
All the artwork is on display at the mansion, but the COVID19 closure has made viewing impossible right now.
Jarred Decker’s “St. Johns Fog” is an Aluminum chromaprint.
Harley Talkington’s “Bloom With A View” was created with Soft Pastels.
The exhibit is scheduled to be on view both online and when the Pittock Mansion reopens. Any artwork that is purchased will be available for pick-up after the exhibit closes. Shipping options are also available.
From Pittock Mansion:
With picture-perfect views of rivers, forests, bridges, and mountaintops – and 23 treasure-filled rooms – no other place in town offers a more breathtaking view and more revealing glimpse of Portland’s past. Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock built Pittock Mansion in 1914 and it now stands as a living memorial of the family’s contributions to the blossoming city of Portland and its people. Situated on 46 acres of land almost 1,000 feet atop downtown Portland, the Pittock celebrated its centennial year in 2014.
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