Tips for Successful Virtual Food Drive Fundraising

You are our Hunger Hero! Hosting a Virtual Food Drive is one of the best ways for you to make an impact and help Food Bank of the Rockies feed more people.

Every dollar helps to provide enough food for 4 meals or 5 pounds of food for people struggling to put food on the table.

Hosting your drive can be as simple as sending out email requests asking family and friends to help online. Or you can get creative. Have a yard sale. Host a concert, golf tournament or other fun event. The options are endless. The key is to find a way to express your passion for helping people facing hunger in a way your friends, family and colleagues will support.

What type of Virtual Food Drive fundraiser can I create?

Have fun, get creative and don't be afraid to be unique!  Try to find a fundraising event type that fits best with something you love, enjoy and believe in. Here’s some suggestions to get started:

  • Sports - Participate in a Cycle, Triathlon or 5K, host a tournament or a ___-a-thon (dance, jump rope, hula hoop, walk...)
  • Birthdays - Commemorate your birthday with a cause and ask for donations in lieu of gifts
  • Special Occasions - Celebrate with a request for contributions to a wedding, anniversary party, memorial, graduation, baby shower, etc.
  • Holidays - Ask for donations in lieu of gifts
  • Parties - Bring your friends and family together for the cause. You can host a casino night, happy hour, pancake breakfast, potluck dinner or any type of party
  • Or host a non-event.  Ask people to sleep in, stay home, share on social media and simply support the nonevent by giving to your drive

Tips! Use your local community contacts to kick start your Virtual Food Drive, such as your office, church, gym, club or school. Engage those that already share a common interest with you.

How do I get started?

  • Click the register link to start your virtual food drive.  You’ll receive your own personal page and tools to help you maximize your success.

What steps should I take to maximize donations?

  • Give first: Make a donation to your page. Others are more inclined to give when they see you're dedicated to the cause.
  • Get personal: Add a photo and share your story on why you are raising funds for our organization.  By telling your story, your friends and family will feel more connected to the cause.
  • Send emails: Use the tools to send emails to your network of contacts, telling them why you are hosting a Virtual Food Drive for Food Bank of the Rockies and make “the ask” for donations.
  • Get social: Did you know fundraisers raise 40% more by using social media? Let your friends and followers know you're raising money and share why feeding hungry people is important to you.
  • Follow up: Did you know it takes on average three asks to result in one gift? 
  • Say Thank You: Once you’ve received a donation, don’t forget to thank your donor.

How do I spread the word about my virtual food drive?

  • There are tools within the participant center to assist you with emails to your contacts announcing your drive and asking for contributions.
  • Consider sending a “Save the Date“ for physical events.
  • Use your social media networks to drive people to your Virtual Food Drive page.  Create an event on Facebook and invite all of your friends. Tweet about your campaign.

How do I send in money collected offline at my event?

  • Mail your donations within 30 days of your event to 10700 E. 45th AVE, Denver, CO 80239 and be sure to note your name and your Virtual Food Drive event with the funds so we can credit them to your drive.

Are donations tax-deductible?

  • Any contribution to Food Bank of the Rockies qualifies as a deduction under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Payments made to the third-party fundraiser to cover expenses are not tax-deductible. Difficulty could arise when an independent, outside organization wishes to raise money for our organization. If the payments are made to this independent organization, and it is not a qualified organization, the payments will not be deductible for income tax purposes. If the payments are made directly to Food Bank of the Rockies, they qualify to the extent by law. Check with your tax advisor if you have any questions about tax deductions. If you have specific questions, please email donatenow@foodbankrockies.org. 

Do you impose any guidelines for the Virtual Food Drive?

  • We reserve the right to decline association with any activities or third-party fundraisers if we believe the activity may have a negative effect on our reputation.
  • All events must comply with federal, state and local laws, including fundraising rules and regulations.
  • The activity will be promoted and conducted in a manner to avoid the appearance of our organization endorsing any product, firm, organization

Can I Use Your Logo to Advertise my Virtual Food Drive?

  • If you are sending the drive information to family, friends, your office, church, your social media accounts, etc. and not advertising to the public at large, you may use our logo without permission.
  • If you are hosting a public event and plan to advertise to the general public to raise funds, please contact us for our events and promotions guidelines, donatenow@foodbankrockies.org.  We are happy to work with you to help you create a successful public event that falls within our guidelines.

Who should I contact if I need more information?

  • If you need assistance with setting up your virtual food drive, please email us, donatenow@foodbankrockies.org or call our development team, 303.371.9250.

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