Connecting Our Circles Fundraiser in Star Tribune

For the first time in 24 years, the YWCA Minneapolis replaced its main fundraiser, a luncheon attended by some 1,000 people, with a virtual one last week. The online event included trivia games and fitness classes, and drew $300,000, down 40% from the typical event.

However, new donors accounted for 70% of people who gave to a YWCA emergency fund. The crisis will prompt the nonprofit to use social media and online tools more to tell its story, Chief Development Officer Kari Clark said. Nevertheless, she expects in-person events to resume.