Covid-Friendly Fundraising in Australia

Fundraising in a Pandemic: A Historic Pivot to Connection and Creativity

In a time that would be remembered as one of the most disruptive in recent history, the arrival of COVID-19 upended nearly every facet of daily life - grassroots fundraising across Australia’s schools and clubs was no exception.

Volunteer committees, who had been busy organising fetes, Mother’s Day stalls, and trivia nights, suddenly found themselves redirecting their focus to their own families. With schools shifting to remote learning and communities bracing for lockdowns, fundraising came to an abrupt halt. Events were cancelled, and uncertainty reigned.

However, as the dust began to settle, something remarkable happened. The same volunteers who had paused their fundraising efforts became early champions of broader community care. Across Australia, acts of kindness and connection replaced traditional fundraising. There were Zoom trivia nights, drive-by teacher appreciation parades, and thoughtful gestures to support the vulnerable. Volunteers delivered letters offering support to neighbours, joined Facebook groups to aid frontline workers, and organised food deliveries for stranded international students. It was the best of community spirit.

Covid and Fundraising 

Meanwhile, the small but passionate industry of Australian fundraising suppliers faced its own challenges. Businesses that had spent years delivering in-person fundraising solutions suddenly saw their operations stall. Yet, in a display of agility and heart, many of these suppliers pivoted quickly, reinventing their offerings for a physically distanced world.

Tried-and-true products were reimagined to suit remote engagement. Traditional fundraising models evolved into digital and contact-free formats. What emerged was a modernised, responsive industry - one that supported schools and clubs with safe and innovative ways to fundraise during uncertain times.

Committees who resumed their efforts did so with a renewed sense of empathy. The message from seasoned fundraisers was to tread gently: many in the community were struggling, and while some could contribute, others could not. Fundraising became less about pressure and more about providing opportunities to support when and where people could.

The effects of the pandemic lingered - stock for Mother’s Day stalls sat in cupboards, fetes were shelved, and beloved annual events were missed. But the resilience of Australia’s fundraising community shone through. Fundraising didn’t disappear; it simply adapted.

Some of the creative, COVID-friendly fundraising ideas that emerged during this period included:

• Online trivia and game nights

• Home-delivered cookie dough, meal kits, or seedlings

• Virtual fitness challenges and fun runs

• Digital raffles and silent auctions

• Drive-through stalls and contact-free product pick-ups

Fundraising after Covid

It was a time that challenged many - but also sparked innovation, community spirit, and a fresh perspective on what fundraising could look like in the future.

Importantly, many of the innovations born during this time have continued to thrive. Suppliers streamlined their offerings and embraced new technologies, making it easier than ever for schools and clubs to run flexible, low-touch fundraisers. Online ordering, home delivery, and hybrid events have become welcome additions to the fundraising toolkit - saving time, expanding reach, and offering convenience without compromising community connection. What started as a necessity has become an opportunity, and many communities are all the better for it.