Turning Event Goers into Year Round Donors
Presented by Cause Effective
November 18, 2014
Presented in collaboration with The Foundation Center New York
Cause Effective’s Turning Event Goers Into Year Round Donors workshop helped participants think about events from a different perspective. Special events are packed with potential to help nonprofit leaders win funds and friends. But producing a first-rate event requires a great deal of time, money, and “human capital.” This workshop helped participants think about how to leverage deeper relationships from a broader range of donors as a result of a special event, grow their number of long-term fundraising partners, and increase their board’s capacity to engage in fundraising throughout the year, not just when an event rolls around. We asked the question, what can you do before, during, and after a special event to encourage participants to become year-round supporters? This is relevant to the sector because non-profit leaders often waste time, energy, and yes, money, running events that don’t do enough to meet their long-term fundraising and organizational objectives.
Key Takeaways:
1. There are many things that special events can do to support fundraising – not just the night of but year-round. To run a successful event and create a deeper relationship with event attendees, build events that reach the right audience in the right way so they become connected to your organization’s mission – and not just to a night out.
2. It’s key to mobilize a range of partners who serve as askers and ambassadors and who are thinking—not just how can I sell a ticket—but “we” must fund “our” mission year-round.
3. Connect successful event fundraising to thoughtful relationship building before the event, an inspiring mission-based program while the event unfolds; and timely and targeted follow-up after. When it comes to year-round fundraising success, the most important day of a special event is often the day after!
