The current situation has meant almost overnight many of Starlight's core fundraising programs were turned on their head.
Over the past months Starlight has been working in collaboration with our partners to ensure we navigate this new 'normal' and ensure we maximise every opportunity and mitigate the risks as best we can.
Re-imagined physical events
Starlight Day, our national day where we turn the streets purple and yellow with thousands of volunteers had to take a new look. This presented a unique challenge and meant we had to change plans at short notice and focus all activity around an Online Matched Giving Campaign - starlightday.org.au - supported with extensive media and PR. This campaign delivered significant uplift compared to last year and could not have been achieved without our matched giving supporters, Spotlight and NAPA, media partners Orion Worldwide and QMS, and major retail activations from Puma Energy, Repco and Star Pharmacy.
With the cancellation of our iconic Starlight Five Chefs Dinners and no fewer sick kids in need of happiness, we ran a standalone online Auction for the very first time. Thanks to the incredible support of so many people, the auction raised enough funds to support over 2,250 sick kids in hospital plus grant a number of life-changing Starlight Wishes.
New virtual campaigns
Fresh off the success of our big virtual peer-to-peer campaigns like Super Swim Challenge, Sugar Free Me, and Gamechangers, our teams swung into overdrive again to create a brand new 2020 fundraiser called Stream Raiser. We invited anyone who creates digital content, to live-stream it and fundraise for Starlight. The inaugural campaign raised an incredible $124,000 and culminated in another first for Starlight - creating our first ever 3-hour 'Live Stream Event' that included celebrities, influencers and Starlight Ambassadors. Broadcast to over 22,000 viewers across Youtube, Twitch, Facebook and Twitter you can still check it out here.
Keeping calm and carrying on
We've just launched our 2020 virtual Tour de Kids ride which we are aiming to be bigger than ever. How far could you ride in September? A great event for anyone who cycles to stay fit, active, and focussed during these times.
Starlight's Meeting for Good is another example of a unique new fundraiser that is helping deliver better business outcomes. With over 300 of Australia's business leaders pledging their time for Starlight, you can tune in to hear more about this in our Free Webinar on 6th August from our expert panel of business leaders on how to do better business right now, and see how your business and sick kids can benefit.
We are so grateful to our corporate partners who have been able to stay the course and for many others who've been able to move their activations to a more appropriate time.
Just like our Platinum Partners EB Games & Zing, who traditionally host their national activation for Starlight Week in May, will now be rolling out this August through all their national retail outlets much to the excitement of their staff.
As the current situation is impacting all businesses, leaders are looking for new ways to grow, innovate and reach new markets. In a recent McKinsey survey 70% of executives think COVID-19 will be a big opportunity for growth*.
At Starlight, we couldn't agree more and if we can help you on that journey our team would love to chat. Please contact us at corporatepartnerships@starlight.org.au to find out how.