Donor Cultivation

If you find an event model that works for you, it’s important to build on your successes to see increased giving year to year. You’ve done the hard work of finding your sweet spot—the size and [...]

We believe in the power of people coming together. There is something profound about people connecting in person, under one roof and celebrating a mission that changes lives. This year, we’ve [...]

If you make one change to your event, let it be the structure of your program. With every event, there is a natural arc of energy and engagement, and if your program works with the arc, you’ll [...]

Donor data drives fundraising. It lets you know who your supporters are and how they’re engaging with your work, which helps you retain donors and grow your relationships. Data is also the [...]

Designing an event for your audience is the key strategy to taking your fundraising event to a new level. Major donor events and engagement events are often your best chance to do this because [...]

Every event should be designed for your most-engaged supporters. They’re the people showing up to give, cheering you on and championing your cause. If your donors like a party, give them a theme [...]

Donors are crucial to your success as an organization. Financial support gives you security and stability, which means you can maybe take off one or two hats and do more to further your mission. [...]

Musician and entrepreneur Derek Sivers gave a TED talk that illustrates a great principal of human dynamics you can use to inspire giving at events: people follow the leader. Here’s how you [...]

How much should you use your executive director’s speech to provide a powerful, focused, current vision of your organization’s work in relation to the politics of today? Turns out, a [...]

On the rare occasion that you happen to have a superstar keynote speaker and a large donor base that can’t all make it to your big event—you may consider a livestream online. At this year’s [...]

If you want to use your event to shower your supporters in gratitude, you can do so in a way that also demonstrates the impact of your organization. Donors, corporate partners and supporters lend [...]

When donors are able to connect with your program first-hand, giving increases. At your event, you have a room full of people who are showing support for your mission and the people you serve. [...]

Many organizations host events tied to programming. If you’re looking to broaden your base and acquire new supporters, there is an opportunity to redesign one of these events for larger [...]