How Camelot Open House Moved Virtual with Smashing Results

Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through horsemanship that develops self-worth and independence. To continue funding their life-changing programs, their annual spring fundraiser had to go virtual!

OneCause enabled our organization to move our event entirely online and showcase our why. We were able to bring the Camelot experience and keep the event’s special character. We reached even more people and surpassed last year’s fundraising success! Sasha Graham, Events & Publicity Director

Online Fundraising Activities

This mighty team of fundraisers and planning committee of 8, had six weeks to redo, reshape and reimagine one of their main fundraisers, including:

• Online Auction
• Online Appeal
• Chain of Hearts Campaign

What Made This Event Unique?

Click here to view their giving center

Under normal circumstances their Hooves & Heroes Open House at the ranch would feature student ride demonstrations, activities, and hands-on interaction with the mission.

Due to COVID-19, the team has to rethink how to connect supporters and inspire giving, in a virtual world.

They used a mix of personal outreach, innovative sponsor packages, videos and social media to drive reach and engagement in their virtual fundraiser.

Virtual Fundraising Strategies

With the right approach, Camelot was able to adjust their fundraising strategy to fit the virtual world, expand their reach, and highlight the importance of their mission. Their strategies included:

• Virtual sponsor packages (social media mentions, logos on emails, visibility on Giving Center)
• Communicated directly to supporters about virtual move
• Launched Chain of Hearts campaign early to ease supporters online
• Daily videos/interviews online to showcase mission & need
• Encouraged supporters to share link with networks
• Grand finale video on last day to drive giving
• Carefully coordinated email, social, online communications
• Mailed postcards to those without internet
• Virtual item pick up process

Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Download the Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship One Sheeter!

The Camelot team shared their takeaways for #FearlessFundraisers around the world who are going virtual, here’s what they suggest:

• Honest, direct communication on event move & why
• Don’t focus on “cancelled” – focus on celebration
• Utilize mission imagery (especially video, photos, people interviews)
• Clarity and simplicity of message.
• Repeated and sustained communications to all
• Streamline everything onto the OneCause platform — 1-stop Shop for Donors
• Showcase mission in virtual world. Camelot is a place of joy and triumph, this event was no exception.

Results

Congratulations to the entire Camelot team and event committee! Their first ever virtual event results were astounding:

• 184 supporters
• 427 bids
• 47 online donations
• $405 average donation
• 137% YOY proceeds growth

Connect with a Cause

You can learn more about Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship and support their mission by visiting their website.

Not Done? Keep Learning with OneCause!

• 5 Things to Keep in Mind When Launching Your Virtual Campaign
• “Flip” Your Event into Something Fun: Tips for Taking Heads or Tails Virtual
• Virtual Fundraising Success: Strategies & Lessons from Those That Pivoted
• 10 Fundraising FAQs Nonprofits Need to Know During COVID-19
• The Power of Video, Visual Storytelling, & Livestream
• Virtual Fundraising Non-Profit Examples