Special events have long been synonymous with fundraising and as a result, every fundraiser has a story of cold food, missing golf balls, no-show volunteers, and the $200 pot of hotel coffee. We also know that fundraising events, on average, have one of the lower net profit factors and yet, they are often the go-to solution in a financial pinch. It is essential that every fundraiser understand the value special events can play within their organization, as well as the importance of setting appropriate financial, time management and resource expectations. In this session we will discuss this love-hate relationship, as well as review the cornerstone elements of successful events, including how to define success, knowing when to move on and setting pragmatic boundaries for the future.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the core elements of successful non-profit special events:
a.Why are we here?
i.Event purpose – friendraising, fundraising, donor recognition, community awareness
ii.Financial dependence – impact on the overall bottom line and role in the fund development plan
iii.Definition of success grounded in realistic expectations and connection to purpose
b.Resource allocation
i.Time
ii.Money
iii.People
c.Commitment to Excellence, Not Perfection
i.The details that matter and the ones that don’t
ii.Connection back to purpose
iii.Leverage people resources to create authenticity
d.Does It Stay or Does It Go?
i.Creating clear expectations around an event’s longevity
ii.Creating a healthy special events culture
iii.Understanding purpose and financial dependence