9 Fundraising Event Resources for the New Year [Plus a Bonus!]
Way back in early December of last year we published a post announcing our hosting of the Nonprofit Tech Carnival and asking for submissions.
In that call for submissions, we asked for you to send in your best articles, eBooks, guides, and other resources that answered one of the following questions:
- What’s the best fundraising advice you have?
- How do you plan out your fundraising events?
- How do events fit into your bigger fundraising plans?
- What would you tell someone to make their event stand out?
- How can you incorporate other engagement activities into events?
- How can you raise more money at your fundraising events?
Well folks, the time has come. All the submissions are in, and we’re ready to share the top 9 resources we’ve compiled for improving your fundraising event strategies in the new year. And we’re even throwing in an extra resource from the team here at Booster!
Each contribution carves out its own unique corner of the event fundraising world. Read on to discover 10 fundraising event resources written to help you reach new fundraising heights.
The Fundraising Event Strategies Carnival
1. Planning a Fundraising Event: A Complete How-to Guide
We’re starting off with the bonus, the resource from Booster. Since our goal is to answer the key questions we asked of our participants, it feels fitting to lead off with insights we can offer.
This how-to guide covers the full spectrum of fundraising events, from planning to marketing to execution to post-event stewardship.
by Claire Axelrad of Clairification
Fundraising events that really capture the moment and raise a lot of money are incredibly lucrative. What’s more lucrative? Taking your guest list and turning it into a long-standing donor list. If you can tap into the momentum of your fundraiser and use that momentum to build sustainable relationships, you’re on the right track.
This article walks you through how to do just that. In her writing, Claire homes in on exactly what you can do to inspire action and convert your attendees into donors.
3. How to Raise More Money at Your Fundraising Event
by Zach Hagopian of Accelevents
Event fundraising, like every other style of fundraising, is most successful when the organizers use best practices and refine them to create a customized plan. While customization is key, so too are strong fundamentals.
In this article, you’ll learn the ins and outs of 6 best practices, which span from early planning through the night of the event. Check this article out for a range of advice, including discussions that detail how to secure sponsorships and how to form the ultimate fundraising team.
4. Charity Auctions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximize Donations
via the @Pay blog
Few fundraising activities pair better with events than charity auctions. Whether you opt to host a live, silent, or even online auction, any of the three would be a great addition to your efforts.
This article provides step-by-step coverage of how you can maximize donations to your auction. Whether you need advice about securing items or directions for how to engage with your participants, this guide has you covered.
5. Live Auctions: How to Increase Bids and Plan a Showstopping Event
via the BidPal blog
Live auctions are the perfect complement to a major fundraiser, such as a gala. During live auctions, an auctioneer leads the bidding by speaking about each item and guiding the bids. They’re incentive-driven, fast-paced, and highly profitable.
This guide from BidPal includes both a breakdown of the basics of live auctions and a collection of advice to make your upcoming live auction your best one yet. There’s information for readers of all levels of expertise, so check it out!
6. 5 Creative Capital Campaign Fundraising Ideas for Schools
via the Aly Sterling Philanthropy blog
Capital campaigns are targeted fundraising efforts planned to accomplish a specific goal, such as securing the funding for a new building. They’re a fundraising staple, and they usually require a combination of fundraising tactics, including hosting events.
This article on the Aly Sterling Philanthropy blog focuses on what schools can do to maximize donations to their capital campaigns. And it makes sure to highlight “hosting an event” as one of the key tips.
7. 83 Amazing Fundraising Ideas
via the Double the Donation blog
One of the best things about event fundraising is how versatile it is. One nonprofit might host a gala as their annual fundraising event, whereas another might get everyone together for a walkathon. Chances are, if you’re looking to host an event, there’s one out there that’s the perfect fit for your team and your cause.
This resource from Double the Donation gives the reader over 80 options to choose from. Each event idea comes complete with an overview, a case for why it works, and advice for getting started. Plus, each event is rated on a scale for total cost, fundraising potential, and popularity.
8. Plan a Profitable Fundraising Event: The Step-by-Step Guide
via the NeonCRM blog
Hosting a fundraising event with a high ROI is no easy feat. Your team has to perform well at every stage, from planning all the way through to your thank you.
In this guide, you’ll find advice for each of those stages and then some. With 16 steps total, the guide starts back at selecting an event that’s right for your nonprofit and walks you all the way through to analyzing your event data.
9. How to Get Donations: 18 Ways the Pros Are Doing It
by Terry Ibele of Wild Apricot
Fundraising events are ultimately about getting supporters in one space so that nonprofits can ask for donations. And just like event fundraising, asking for donations is an art form unto itself.
In this collection on the Wild Apricot blog, you’ll learn all about best practices for asking for donations. Pay particular attention to the event section that offers some unique advice to maximize the number of donations you bring in.
10. The Ultimate Fundraising Event Checklist: 17 Actionable Steps
via the Fundly blog
As we’ve said a couple of times already in this carnival, event fundraising involves managing a lot of moving parts over multiple months. To help make things easier, most experts recommend using a checklist and holding your team to it.
This article includes a ready-made checklist for you and your team to use as needed. Not only does it include 17 main items, but it also has additional items you’ll need to complete in order to check off the main categories.
How to Share the Fundraising Event Resources Carnival and Get Involved
Done reading and ready to share? Great! Feel free to share on social media, and just make sure to use #nptechcarnival!
And if you’re interested in learning more about the carnival, there are other ways you can get involved:
Thanks for reading about all 10 fundraising event resources! We hope you’ve come away with some great advice as we head into 2017 and beyond.
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