Non-profit Fundraising - The Virtual Way

When COVID-19 first started, many businesses and non-profits had to rethink how they did business in order to comply with social distancing guidelines. Video-based solutions like Zoom and content creation became the only tool for people to stay in touch with their clients. Even though the pandemic has started winding down and mandates lifted, some organizations still carry these video tools with them into their post-COVID operations. One of these organizations is WeCAN.

WeCAN is a non-profit based out of Mound, Minnesota that serves local low-income families. Every year, as a fundraiser, they host a wine tasting featuring domestic breweries, wineries, and distilleries that donate their products for the fundraiser. Well of course, COVID cancelled their normal in-person fundraiser, but that didn’t stop WeCAN from trying a different approach for the fundraiser.

WeCAN decided to host their fundraiser virtually in 2020 and 2021. They had participants pick up their baskets of wine and other alcohol samples from their building then go home to watch a video presentation. Their video features a message from their Executive Director and then various videos from their wine vendors talking about their products. People watching from home can follow along with the video and taste the various wines, beers, and liquors as the creators of those products talk about them.

This year, Klein Media had the privilege to drive up to Mound, Minnesota to film the introduction of WeCAN’s introduction by their Executive Director, Christopher Anderson. It was fascinating to see all of the impactful work they do for their clients, as well as seeing their signature ‘birthday room’ where we filmed the video. We then put all the different video clips together from the other vendors and delivered the final video to WeCAN for their 2021 Winefest. 

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, but what happens when it no longer seems like a necessity, it becomes a powerful tool to stay engaged and connected to your audience. This is just one of the many ways that nonprofits share their message, through video. Video is not just a nice thing to have on your social media or website, but a way to stay afloat financially. Imagine if they decided to cancel the Winefest or did it in a way that there wasn't a video, do you think it would be just as successful? That is the ROI that video has for any business or nonprofit.

When it comes time to launch a new product or ask for more donations, video is the best way to clearly tell your story and define your brand. You don’t have to do everything by yourself, we’re here to help. Contact us today and meet with us for your next video project.

If you’re interested in learning about what WeCAN does for their community, you can visit them at https://www.wecanmn.org/