Community fundraising, which means tapping into the pool of existing supporters and beneficiaries to raise more money for your charity or cause, is set to become even more crucial for charities, it has been claimed.

An article for Charity Digital noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the move towards a more community-based approach to fundraising, pointing out that this is one trend that is expected to stay in the long term, as well as being a short-term response to the challenges posed by the global pandemic.

The news provider noted that the move away from in-person activities towards an online fundraising environment could prove especially beneficial for the community fundraising model.

Online fundraising platforms and social media tools in particular have made it easier than ever before for people to engage with and donate to charities digitally.

A report produced recently by the New Local Government Network (NLGN) found that Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp were particularly useful tools to mobilise communities.

One example of how community fundraising was used successfully in the digital realm is the virtual London Marathon event that replaced the race this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many charities are looking at how they can adapt their fundraising activities to allow for social distancing. Wales Online recently highlighted Mind’s latest campaign, called Move for Mind, which encourages people to be active during September and share their activities online as well as asking for fundraising support for the charity.

Senior community fundraising officer at Mind Lucy Lloyd said that the charity had created this campaign to “remind people to look after their health and mental health”. She added: “People can raise money whilst also following the government guidelines and not putting themselves at risk.”

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