It’s not always easy to fix or stick to a social plan right now. Here’s where the idea of hybrid fundraising comes in.

Imagine a typical physical fundraising event, a campaign launch: a fundraising or networking seminar – where supporters attend in-person, as well as virtually, through a live-stream or a multi-channel interactive experience

It’s an approach that’s been established for a while, but its benefits are clearer than ever.

A hybrid event is more inclusive and widens your participant pool: it takes significant effort to block time out and attend an event in-person, whereas online, it’s much easier for interested donors to participate.

Also, it gives you the chance to design your events more sustainably and holistically.

Transferring a portion of the audience to online saves on physical event-hire costs, but also the chance to connect emotionally with your supporters, aligning your fundraising closely with your cause and services.

Hybrid fundraising suits all sizes of organisations, which is why we think it’s such a good trend to observe.

It can take the form of a large-scale event – an annual auction or regular sponsored community fair for instance. An interactive approach will reach more people and allow for last-minute changes of plan. The weather can always scupper a well-planned event with a moment’s notice!

Or, on an individual smaller level supporters will use online fundraising to gather donations, however integrating this with video messaging from charity service recipients, or your CEO, can make a better connection, and encourage support. And, when participants turn up to an organised event, the connection is already established.

When you know you want to talk to people face-to-face, contactless payment device technology will engage and collect donations, while your charity team works hard to create an engaging experience to tell its story.