Eventbrite has seen an increase in the use of events as a means for fundraising for not-for-profits. In the past 12 months, Eventbrite has seen more than 100,000 charity-related events in Australia in all shapes and forms as Aussies are using the site to promote and ticket their fundraising efforts.
Organisers are increasingly turning to events for fundraising efforts as more Aussies choose to attend ‘good cause’ events and drive demand. Since July 2015, not-for-profit organisers have increased the number of events they have each hosted on the Eventbrite platform by over 10 per cent year-on-year.
Eventbrite has also found that almost a third (28 per cent) of Australians would much rather spend money on experiences and 31 per cent find attending live experiences helps them feel more connected to other people, their community and the world.
Recognising the need for Aussies to get involved with good cause events, Eventbrite has partnered with Oxfam to bring OXJAM to Australian shores for its second year. OXJAM is an unforgettable month of music taking place in August for a good cause all in aid of Oxfam’s vision of a just world without poverty.
Last year’s OXJAM saw 12,000 music fans attend more than 180 gigs, raising tens of thousands of dollars for OXJAM Australia. For its second year, Oxfam and Eventbrite have teamed up to build on the success of last year and kicking off the 2016 season with three headline events in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Phil Silverstone, GM Australia at Eventbrite, said: “Aussies are seeking new ways to donate which is reflected by an increase in the number of charitable events on our site year on year. Australians want to actively get involved and contribute to good causes through social initiatives that make a difference, rather than clicking a button to make a one-off donation.”
“We’re excited to partner with Oxfam to build on the success of the 2015 OXJAM. Using the Eventbrite platform, music lovers, performers and gig makers can host their own events in their local community and raise funds and awareness to help fight poverty around the globe,” Silverstone added.
Official ambassadors for 2016 Oxjam include Sydney trio Art Vs Science, and singer-songwriter Megan Washington.
Speaking about the festival, Megan Washington said, “I’m proud to be an ambassador for OXJAM in 2016 alongside the guys from Art Vs Science. OXJAM is a fantastic initiative, aimed at enticing music fans all over Australia to host gigs in the name of fighting poverty. I can’t wait to see what the country comes up with in August.”
Nadia Watson, event fundraising co-ordinator at Oxfam, said: “We’re incredibly excited to have Eventbrite on board as our official ticketing partner for our second year of OXJAM in Australia. Last year saw thousands of dollars raised to help with Oxfam’s efforts in fighting global poverty, and we’re expecting even bigger things this year.”
OXJAM has been running for almost a decade in the United Kingdom, and has seen support from the likes of Coldplay, Fatboy Slim and Hot Chip in the past. The inaugural Australian OXJAM in 2015 saw performances from acts like Bag Raiders, Cosmo’s Midnight, World’s End Press and Set Mo.
