Since the Covid pandemic began creating challenges with in-person events back in 2020, Hope Builders has gained surprisingly tremendous success with its innovative virtual fundraising efforts. This year's success will rely heavily on user-generated content (UCG) and storytelling for its success.
SANTA ANA, Calif., August 17, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In the summer of 2020, Hope Builders made the decision to cancel its annual in-person Fall gala. For years it had brought hundreds of supporters together for one big night of food, fun, and fundraising. But, like most other significant gathering events at the time, it was the appropriate choice.
In its place, Hope Builders launched an online fundraiser that ultimately produced more support for the organization than any prior in-person event. The following year, 2021, continued with a virtual event that delivered equally impressive results. The Orange County Business Journal included both of these Hope Builders fundraisers as one of the Top Five Unique Virtual Fundraisers.
But these weren't typical online fundraisers. Each included unique experiences that align with the innovative non-profit business model that Hope Builders is known for. No philanthropic organization has anything like Hope Builders process. Nor have they tried to succeed with online fundraisers as unique as these. And this year's event will be no different.
2022 Event Theme: 10 Days for Launching Careers
Hope Builders' 2022 virtual fundraising event theme is "10 Days for Launching Careers" and will run from August 27th to Labor Day, September 5th.
As a non-profit that is laser-focused on putting young adults into careers they might not gain access to otherwise, Hope Builders hears many stories from their graduates about their "first day of work." Some are scary, some are funny, and some are downright crazy. But each is inspiring in its own way and offers encouragement to other Hope Builders students as they prepare to launch their careers. Because of these many stories, Hope Builders decided to build this year's event around sharing "first day of work" moments. Not just from the program graduates but also their mentors, donors, and community supporters. Learn more at tsjhopebuilders.org/fundraiser.
These User Generated Content (UGC) videos will be shared via Social Media and email. Each one to two-minute story is self-recorded via the user's smartphone and then shared with Hope Builders via text, who uploads it to their Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages. The personal recording ends with an invitation to a colleague, friend, or family member to share their "first day of work" story. Hope Builders will ensure the invitation is shared and seen.
The purpose of these videos is three-fold:
- Generate brand and campaign awareness
- Offer stories of hope from all walks of life
- Encourage financial support for Hope Builders trainees
Aside from this being a fundraising event, Hope Builders wants to build a library of hopeful, fun, supportive messages that brings everyone together on a level playing field. Hope Builders' goal is to post a wide variety of "first day of work" stories shared by students, graduates, mentors, sponsors, and community supporters. From CEOs of large corporations to night shift workers at McDonald's, everyone's "First day of work" is a story worth sharing. You can see a few here.
Shawna Smith, CEO of Hope Builders, says, "Our annual fundraiser has always focused on celebrating our students and the community who serves them, using innovative ideas. The financial support is secondary but continues to surprise us with incredible results."
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About Hope Builders
Hope Builders exists to move Orange County's young adults from poverty to prosperity. Since 1995, Hope Builders has empowered more than 6,000 youth with the mentorship, life skills, and job skills training needed to meet the needs of local employers.
Hope Builders benefits the young trainees and local employers by focusing on opportunities in the labor market where there is high demand for skilled workers, and by equipping young people with the skills and behaviors they need to succeed in those careers. All of this only serves to strengthen the community at large. Hope Builders recently pushed its model even further and launched a social enterprise. Using a staffing agency approach, Hope Builders sources talent for local employers and reinvests revenue generated from this enterprise in growing the number of people it up-skills each year. Over 6,000 young adults have found their path and begun their careers.
Media Contact
Christa Sheehan, Hope Builders, 1 949-439-2092, [email protected]
SOURCE Hope Builders
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