Planning and Promoting Special Events for Non-Profit Organizations
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Planning and Promoting Special Events for Non-Profit Organizations * Why do special events? * 60%-80% of smaller nonprofit organizations self report doing special events for fundraising purposes * If done properly, special events can help build your pipeline for major gifts, renewed & increased sponsors, future planned gifts and loyal volunteers * Fact: $ Amount of charitable donations are staying the same, but donors are being more thoughtful to where they are investing. * Establish event that accomplishes organization goals * Impact of your mission and vision * Share imagination * Foster creativity * Encourage ingenuity * Achieve frugality and provide resources * Establish and grow connections * Create mission moments * Make sure event is mission related (i.e. a historic committee is holding a silent auction. They should auction off historic pieces instead of just random items) * Have the event pull at people’s heart strings (i.e. girl scout fundraising breakfast where girl scouts came out to sing a song then went up to every table specifically asking for donations) * Fire up your board and volunteers about the cause! * Testimonials bring excitement and remind board, staff & volunteers “Why we are here” * Field trips & photos * 1 or 2 irregular board meetings (different locations, etc.) * Make it fun! * Board members are given many responsibilities: planning, ideas, volunteering, governance but the real reason they are on the board is for fundraising! They must be planting seeds all day long to get people to think about the cause. * Building a team or committee * This is very important to do ahead of time * Involve long standing contributors * Get past board members on board * Segment events to make volunteers feel important, empowered
Planning and Promoting Special Events for Non-Profit Organizations * Why do special events? * 60%-80% of smaller nonprofit organizations self report doing special events for fundraising purposes * If done properly, special events can help build your pipeline for major gifts, renewed & increased sponsors, future planned gifts and loyal volunteers * Fact: $ Amount of charitable donations are staying the same, but donors are being more thoughtful to where they are investing. * Establish event that accomplishes organization goals * Impact of your mission and vision * Share imagination * Foster creativity * Encourage ingenuity * Achieve frugality and provide resources * Establish and grow connections * Create mission moments * Make sure event is mission related (i.e. a historic committee is holding a silent auction. They should auction off historic pieces instead of just random items) * Have the event pull at people’s heart strings (i.e. girl scout fundraising breakfast where girl scouts came out to sing a song then went up to every table specifically asking for donations) * Fire up your board and volunteers about the cause! * Testimonials bring excitement and remind board, staff & volunteers “Why we are here” * Field trips & photos * 1 or 2 irregular board meetings (different locations, etc.) * Make it fun! * Board members are given many responsibilities: planning, ideas, volunteering, governance but the real reason they are on the board is for fundraising! They must be planting seeds all day long to get people to think about the cause. * Building a team or committee * This is very important to do ahead of time * Involve long standing contributors * Get past board members on board * Segment events to make volunteers feel important, empowered