Charities forced to come up with new ways to raise funds under coronavirus restrictions

As charities face increased demand under the coronavirus shutdown, the are coming up with innovative ways to stay relevant and connected.

TASMANIAN charities are diversifying in a bid to stay relevant during the COVID-19 era.

Online auctions, an online op shop and at-home fundraising campaigns are among the initiatives being embraced as charities work to remain financial and continue offering vital support to Tasmanians during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

The moves come as charities face increased demand as a result of widespread unemployment caused by the coronavirus shutdown.

The situation has also been compounded by the approaching winter, which is traditionally a busy time of year for charities as the state’s homeless and disadvantaged struggle most.

Hobart City Mission is among the local not-for-profit organisations embracing innovative communication and fundraising strategies as a way to stay relevant and connected.

Chief executive officer John Stubley said Hobart City Mission’s annual Winter Appeal was still running – and had been launched earlier than usual to help meet coronavirus demand – but other major fundraising events, including a gala dinner, have been scrapped due to future uncertainty.

To a degree we’ve all been confronted with our own mortality, and it’s made us look a bit differently at what’s important in life.

The charity, which has been providing food to needy Tasmanians for 170 years, has also been running an online fundraising auction and will launch an online op shop on Monday.

The organisation has also entered the world of Instagram and has been far more active on Facebook in a bid to capture the attention of a wider, and younger, market.

Hobart City Mission CEO John Stubley. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

And the shift seems to be working, with fundraising so far exceeding expectations.

“Two months ago we really expected people to clam up and be quite focused on themselves,” Mr Stubley said.

“But we’ve seen quite the opposite, we’ve had quite an outpouring of support.

“We put a call out for food donations and have been inundated with people continuing to drop in food.

“Our Winter Appeal has already hit its target and we’re not even halfway through.

“I think people can see the randomness of who has been impacted and who hasn’t and I think they’re grateful it hasn’t happened to them.

“To a degree we’ve all been confronted with our own mortality, and it’s made us look a bit differently at what’s important in life.

“People who have the capacity to help have realised now more than ever that they need to get out there and help, which is brilliant.”

Tasmanian charities are diversifying in a bid to stay relevant in the COVID-19 era. Ronald McDonald House manager Chelsea Emery with fundraising and events co-ordinator Jane Crosswell getting ready for a new fundraiser the charity has launched for May called Party in the House. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Stubley said the biggest challenge was maintaining the current level of support.

He said charities needed to stay in a good position now so they were well placed to help Tasmanians after the pandemic passes.

He said many low income Tasmanians were currently riding high on bolstered government support, but once this dried up emergency relief agencies were likely to be in even higher demand than before.

“We’re planning for what could be quite a challenging time in months ahead and need to make sure we’re resourced to meet that,” Mr Stubley said.

“Demand for our services is likely to continue to increase.”

Meanwhile a host of other Tasmanian charities have also turned to online fundraising including Cancer Council Tasmania, which is promoting a virtual version of Australian’s Biggest Morning Tea on May 28. The charity also had expeditioners at Antarctica’s Casey Station run a fundraising Relay for Life earlier this week after the popular community event was cancelled across Tasmania.