Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Time is moving quickly, and we’re already in the second week of February! At this pace, spring will be here before we know it.
Recently, a member of a community-based organization asked me whether it’s possible to plan a successful fundraising event for May—just three months away. This will be their first major event, and understandably, they’re feeling a bit anxious. The good news is that the date and venue will be finalized this week, which is an important first step.
Answering their question isn’t as simple as a yes or no. As a professional, my role is to outline the necessary steps, develop a strategic approach to ensure a successful outcome, and help set the foundation for future fundraising efforts.
Last week, I met with the organization’s leadership team to better understand their needs. I prepared an agenda and asked targeted questions to guide the discussion, creating a framework for internal conversations and decisions moving forward.
Today, I’m sharing some key takeaways from our meeting. If you find these insights helpful, I encourage you to add them to your toolkit as you plan your next fundraiser.
- What is your budget for this event? How much money would you like to raise? How much do you need to raise to break even? This will help decide how much to charge for underwriters and lead sponsors, tables and individual tickets.
- Do you have a list of donors and prospects? If so, what shape is the list in? Is it current? When was the last time it was updated?
- How engaged are your Board members and stakeholders? Can you count on them to find additional prospects, make appropriate asks and provide their personal financial support? Do you envision a special time before the event so that Board members and organization leaders can personally thank underwriters and lead sponsors?
- What is your vision for this event? Would you like to host a luncheon or dinner? If you plan to host a dinner, is this a formal or semi-formal occasion?
- Have you thought about your support team? How will the event be managed and executed? Moreover, to partnering with a fundraising and event management professional, who will help with public relations and communications?
- What is the call to action? How will you engage supporters in your work after the event? Who will create the follow-up plan?
I will provide the answers to these questions, along with tips on how to plan and executive successful events, in future blog posts. Until then, if you have questions or if I can be of assistance, please contact me at Monique@Eventstrategies4success.com.
With kind regards,
Monique
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