Fundraising

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 [...]

For maximum impact at your next event, everyone on stage ought to play a distinct, specific role. This is your opportunity to share the vision of your work with your most ardent supporters and to [...]

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 [...]

Not all events require honorees. The point of your event is to tell your story, galvanize your supporters and raise support for your work. But if honoring longtime supporters and advocates helps [...]

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 [...]

This October was the 5th annual Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, and in our 5 years of attending and participating in this event, we always walk away with big ideas and best practices to pass [...]

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 [...]

You’re doing the work that keeps communities together and changes the world. We believe in you, and in the power of our partnership. In our 15 years of fundraising galas, lunches, auctions and [...]

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 [...]

Having a good partner is as subjective as it is intangible. It’s one of those things you know when you feel it. And yet considering, exploring and optimizing why and how you partner with many [...]

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 [...]