A virtual fundraiser is a fundraising event delivered online, where guests watch a live or produced broadcast and give it through a digital platform rather than from a room full of tables.
To level up a virtual fundraiser, automate the giving process, show donations on screen in real time, have an emcee or auctioneer narrate the ask, and market it hard enough to fill the seats. The 2026 M+R Benchmarks study found online revenue rose 15% in 2025, so the audience is there if your production earns their attention.
| Lever | What it changes | Backed by |
| Automated giving | Removes friction at the moment of decision | VEP process, step 1 |
| Real-time donation graphics | Social proof drives further gifts | VEP process, step 2 |
| Emcee or auctioneer | Explains what the money funds | VEP process, step 3 |
| Timing and promotion | December alone carries 37% of online revenue | M+R Benchmarks 2026 |
Virtual fundraising works! We know this firsthand- last week the Shuttlecork Virtual Gala raised over 1 MILLION DOLLARS! We are going to share our secret formula to having a successful virtual fundraiser but first it is important to understand the basics about virtual fundraisers.
An important difference between regular fundraising galas and virtual events is attendees can watch from virtually anywhere, like YouTube, Facebook, or Zoom, making it convenient for your guests to attend all from the comfort of their own space. With no limit on the number of seats per table, the event element options are endless. This also means ROI is higher because there is lower overhead. Eliminate the cost of paying for a hotel ballroom and catering services and focus on the message!
At Verducci Event Productions, we’re helping non-profits and cause-based organizations create virtual galas that share their mission, engage with their donors, and leverage virtual fundraising to achieve every goal and more. We love providing our clients effective ways to bring communities together in an engaging virtual environment.
Our process includes 4 steps:
- Grow proceeds by automating the giving process.
- Receive key data and reporting to track incoming funds to provide a clear picture of your efforts.
Two ways we recommend sharing data during a virtual fundraiser are by highlighting funds raised in real-time and sharing milestones and celebrating goals live. It is helpful to have a graphic on-screen showing the donations as they come in! It is encouraging to see others give and inspire the donations to keep rolling in!
- Improve donor relationships by creating a simple and straightforward giving opportunity.
The best way to do this is by having an auctioneer or emcee narrate the giving process and explain what donations will be funding. Additionally, it is important to recognize donors for their contributions.
- Expand your reach with anyone that has internet access, giving them ample opportunity to join your mission.
Marketing is key! Having “seats” filled is crucial to any fundraising event and a virtual event is no different. Make sure to send out email blasts, post to your social media and start a buzz about your event to ensure you will have attendees. At VEP, your success is our success- if requested we can share your event on our social media as well. Teamwork makes the dream work.
What the 2026 Benchmarks Say About Online Giving
The M+R Benchmarks 2026 study, drawn from 180 nonprofits, is the clearest picture of how online fundraising behaved through 2025.
| Metric | 2026 figure |
| Change in average online revenue | Up 15% |
| Revenue from one-time giving | Up 17% |
| Monthly giving as a share of online revenue | 27% |
| Revenue from donor-advised funds | Up 44% |
Growth reached every size band, with at least 14% for small through extra large nonprofits. That matters for a virtual gala: a soft result is a production or promotion problem, not a sector headwind.
Where the Money Actually Comes From
Not all gifts are equal, and the gap is wider than most event budgets assume.
| Gift source | Average gift | Note |
| Donor-advised fund | $1,430 | DAF gift volume also rose 23% |
| Direct mail | $120 | For comparison |
| One-time online donor | $183 per year | Across an average of 1.3 gifts |
If your donation page does not accept DAF gifts, you are closing the door on the largest average gift in online fundraising. Add the option and have your emcee mention it.
New donors brought in 31% of online revenue in 2025, so a virtual fundraiser that reaches beyond your existing list is doing real work.
That reach is the argument for producing it properly, which is what non-profit event production is built around.
Timing: December Is Not Optional
M+R found nonprofits received 37% of all 2025 online revenue in December alone.
| Period | Share of annual online revenue |
| December | 37% |
| Final week of the year | 10% |
| 31 December | 4% |
That concentration cuts both ways. A December virtual fundraiser lands when donors are already giving, but competes with every other appeal in the inbox.
Book early for that window, since virtual and online event crews fill December calendars first.
Turning One-Night Donors Into Sustainers
This is where most virtual fundraisers leave money behind. M+R’s retention figures show why.
- 24% of new donors gave again the following year
- 66% of prior donors returned, more than double the new-donor rate
- 71% of monthly donors are still giving after a full year
- 10% of sustainers lapse within two months of signing up
A monthly giving ask on the night converts a one-off gift into a relationship with far better donor retention. Make the monthly option visible on screen, not buried in the donation form.
Production Choices That Move the Number
Step 2 calls for showing donations as they arrive. That single graphic turns individual giving into visible momentum.
- Live donation thermometer on screen, updated in real time
- Named recognition for major gifts as they land
- Mission film rather than a slideshow, cut to two minutes
- Clean audio for the ask, which is spoken
- A tested backup stream, since a dropout during the ask is unrecoverable
Real-time graphics need building in advance, which is what event graphics cover on a fundraising brief.
A two-minute mission film will outperform a long speech, so budget video production into the event, not around it.
Sound carries the ask more than picture, so brief audio visual needs alongside the stream.
Virtual Fundraiser Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Fix |
| Donation page with no DAF option | Add it, given the $1,430 average gift |
| No monthly giving ask on the night | Put the recurring option on screen |
| Treating the stream as a recording | Produce it for the people watching at home |
| No plan for donor follow-up | New donor retention is 24% without one |
| Running long | Keep the programme tight and the ask clear |
If part of your audience is in a room and part at home, hold the standard for both, which is the premise of hybrid events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a virtual fundraiser?
A virtual fundraiser is a fundraising event held online, where supporters watch a live or produced broadcast and give through a digital platform. It replaces the ballroom with a stream, removing venue and catering costs and lifting the cap on attendance.
Do virtual fundraisers actually raise money?
Yes. The M+R Benchmarks 2026 study found average online revenue for nonprofits rose 15% in 2025, with growth of at least 14% across every size band. Donor-advised fund revenue rose 44%, and DAF gifts averaged $1,430.
When is the best time to hold a virtual fundraiser?
December carries 37% of all annual online revenue according to M+R, with 10% in the final week. That makes it the highest-intent window and the most crowded, so book production starts early and starts promotion sooner than feels necessary.
How do you keep virtual fundraiser donors giving again?
Ask for monthly gifts during the event. M+R found new donor retention was just 24%, while 71% of monthly donors were still giving a year later. Making the recurring option visible on screen is the highest-leverage change most organisations can make.
How much does a virtual gala cost to produce?
Costs vary by scope, so ask for a quote rather than a benchmark. What is consistent is that a virtual gala removes venue and catering entirely, which is why lower overhead can translate into stronger ROI even after production costs.
Key Takeaways
- Online giving grew 15% in 2025, so a weak virtual fundraiser result points at production or promotion.
- Add a donor-advised fund option to your donation page, since DAF gifts averaged $1,430 against $120 for direct mail.
- December carries 37% of annual online revenue, making timing one of your biggest levers.
- Ask for monthly gifts on the night, because 71% of sustainers are still giving a year later against 24% new donor retention.
- Show donations on screen in real time, since visible momentum encourages further giving.
Planning a Fundraiser?
“We definitely recommend Verducci Event Productions! We got a very good value for what we paid, and felt very comfortable that our event was in good hands. It was a relatively stress-free event, and we’ve been getting great feedback! I also appreciate that they mentioned our event on their own social media. That seemed like an extra touch that showed that they care. Thank you to the Verducci Event Productions team, and especially to Lawrence!” – Victoria, DCPLA
Planning a fundraiser? Get in touch to raise more.