What is a virtual event, you ask? Well, we’ll tell you. A virtual event is one that doesn’t require its participants to be in the same place at the same time in order to participate. It can take place anywhere in the country (or the world), in any time zone. It could be a hike, bike, or run. It could be for a specified distance or not. Are you getting the picture? It’s flexible.

The beauty of running a virtual event, from a non-profit’s perspective, is that administrative costs are terrifically low. You don’t have to pay for a venue. You don’t have to spend time organizing volunteers or employees to be on site. You don’t have to pay for medical staff or law enforcement. All you have to do is spend some time getting the word out.

Our friends at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS have got the virtual event down pat. Their “Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up” event invites people to dedicate the third weekend in September to a hike, bike, or climb of any distance, wherever they are, to raise money for children living with AIDS in East Africa. Some of last year’s virtual participants put together events like a 114-mile bike ride through the Cascade Mountains, a church youth group hike, and a climbing day at a local gym. You can read more stories on their website.

This NPO has exhibited a lot of other fundraising best practices, too, so it’s no wonder that they are successful. For example, they have a whole page of great fundraising ideas on their website. And check out how they’ve connected donors to their work and thanked them with their excellent YouTube video: