What’s a Virtual Challenge?
A Virtual Challenge is a flexible, platform-driven fundraising event that meets supporters where they already spend their time online. Think of it as combining the community aspect of a charity walk with the convenience of social media engagement.
Here’s what a typical Virtual Challenge includes:
- A clear, simple concept like “100 Push-ups a Day in July”
- A defined timeframe (usually one month for optimal engagement)
- Community stewardship through Facebook Groups, email journeys, or SMS
- Easy registration via Meta Lead ads or platform-specific sign-ups
- Participation incentives such as branded t-shirts or recognition
Why Virtual Challenges Work So Well
They Reach Genuinely New Supporters
9 out of 10 Virtual Challenge participants are first-time supporters for the organizations they fundraise for. Your regular donation appeals reach the same committed supporters repeatedly. Virtual Challenges tap into entirely new networks through social sharing and targeted advertising.
They Build Real Community
Unlike one-off donation requests, Virtual Challenges create ongoing engagement. Participants share progress updates, encourage each other, and develop genuine connections to your cause over weeks or months.
This community building delivers three key benefits:
- Higher engagement rates throughout the campaign
- Increased likelihood of future participation
- Natural amplification as participants share their involvement
They Leverage Network Effects
Social platforms amplify your reach through participants’ personal networks. When someone posts about their daily run or workout progress, their friends see authentic advocacy for your cause, not just another fundraising ask.
The Platform Flexibility Advantage
Virtual Challenges have evolved beyond their Facebook origins. Today’s challenges can leverage:
- Instagram for visual progress sharing and younger demographics
- JustGiving for established peer-to-peer fundraising networks
- SMS for direct motivation and check-ins
- Email for detailed stewardship and resources
- Facebook Groups for community building and peer support
This flexibility means you can meet your supporters on their preferred platforms rather than forcing them to adapt to yours.
Virtual Challenges work particularly well if you:
- Want to expand beyond your current supporter base
- Have capacity for community stewardship during the challenge period
- Can create simple, appealing challenge concepts
- Are willing to experiment with social media advertising
The beauty is that Virtual Challenges can be scaled to match your team’s capacity. Start small with a simple concept and basic stewardship, then expand as you learn what works for your audience.
What Success Looks Like
Organizations using Virtual Challenges report:
- Significant growth in their supporter database
- Higher engagement rates compared to traditional campaigns
- Increased social media following and reach
- Participants who become advocates for future campaigns
The key is choosing the right challenge concept and providing enough stewardship to keep participants motivated and connected.
Ready to Explore Virtual Challenges?
Virtual Challenges offer a proven way to reach new supporters, build community, and raise funds through platforms your audience already uses. The tools and strategies exist to make them work for organizations of all sizes.
Want to dive deeper? Request a demo to see how GivePanel can help you design and manage your first Virtual Challenge, or download our complete Virtual Challenge Playbook for detailed implementation strategies.