1. Getting the Most Out of Your Fundraising Events
Shepherd’s Centers of America
Karin L. Cox, MFA
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer
September 9, 2013

2. Objectives for Fundraising Events
Understand:
Purpose of your event
Pre-event preparation
Volunteer and staff training
Post-event follow-up
Incorporate into overall strategy

3. Special Events
How many?
What type?
How much?

4. Fundraising Environment
There is no shortage of ‘good causes’:
More than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in USA
*According to The National Center for Charitable Statistics

5. 2012 Contributions: $ billion by source of contributions (in billions of dollars – all figures are rounded)
Giving by individuals includes estimated amounts for charitable deductions claimed on tax returns filed for 2012 and contributions from individuals who did not itemize deductions. These contributions comprised 72 percent of all giving by source in 2012—the same percentage as in 2011, according to Giving USA’s revised estimates for giving by individuals.1
Foundation grantmaking by independent, community, and operating foundations amounted to 15 percent of all gifts made in This is the same percentage as in 2011, according to the Foundation Center’s revised estimates for giving by foundations.
Analyzing previous data released annually by the Foundation Center, Giving USA estimates that family foundation grantmaking comprised 46 percent of total giving by all foundations in
Giving by individuals, bequest, and family foundations amounted to 86 percent of total giving in 2012.
Giving by charitable bequest—which includes an estimate for charitable bequests claimed on estate taxes and an estimate for those estates that do not file with the IRS—accounted for 7 percent of all gifts given in This is one percentage point lower than in 2011, according to Giving USA’s revised estimates for giving by bequest.
Giving by corporations comprised 6 percent of total giving in This is one percentage point higher than in 2011, according to Giving USA’s revised estimates for giving by corporations.

6. Why Should You Conduct a Fundraising Event?

7. Broad Fundraising Strategy
Special Event
Impact Gift
Regular Donor
Meaningful Gift
Volunteer

8. Successful Events When well-planned and executed:
Create a sense of community and belonging
Ensure responsible stewardship when goals are set and events evaluation occurs
Create relationships that can be highly rewarding
Engage volunteers and board members

9. Identify Event Purpose
Identification/Qualification
Education/Cultivation
Fundraising/Solicitation
Recognition/Appreciation

10. Fundraising Events Grid
Goal
Revenue
Expenses
Net $ Raised
Goal Outcome Evaluation
Identification
None or Minimal
Moderate
-$ Raised
Organization identifies prospective donors
Education
Minimal or no $ Raised
Donor increases understanding of the organization; qualifies as a prospect
Fundraising
High
+ $ Raised
Organization generates substantial funds to support the mission. Costs should not exceed 40% of projected/actual revenues
Recognition
Moderate to high
- $ Raised
Donor and others have already made gift; renewal cycle continues.

11. It’s Not Your Party Everyone has a job: Assign hosts
Engage photographer
Make guests feel welcome
Listen more than you talk
Find opportunities
Download information
Follow up

12. After the Party… Don’t Rest (yet)! Debrief Thank and follow up
Draw in and engage
Ask for support
Use the opportunity … Make new friends

13. Evaluating Your Fundraising Events
Don’t post-rationalize failure.
Review the success of the event against the original objectives.
Celebrate your success!

14. Post-Event Checklist Debrief immediately Thank volunteers Write notes
Use Pictures
Review attendance list
Follow up with sponsors
Vendors/in-kind

15. Questions? Comments? Discussion?
Successes and Ideas
Not-So-Perfect Events:
What Went Wrong?
“This May Be True, But . . .”

16. Questions? Comments? Discussion?
Karin L. Cox, MFA
Senior Executive Vice President
and Chief Creative Officer
ext. 8630