Why you should love your fundraising event

Written By Monika Mraz

Through this journal, I aim to convince you why you should love your fundraising event.

I was recently talking with a development colleague who declared her dislike of galas and I know she isn’t alone, is she right?  As someone who has spent more than 20 years organizing fundraising events, my story of ‘why events are important’ kicked in which you can read here.  It also explains why I was inspired to open Tea Kettle Group and promote the importance of fundraising events.

Do you love’em or do you hate’em?  Let’s talk about it in the comments.  I hope I can convince you to join me in loving them!

Galas, or events, aren’t really about the décor and menu of a party or even the ticket sales.  A non-profit’s annual fundraising event should be about community - celebrating your community and building your community.

As a successful organization you have an amazing community of volunteers, donors, and advocates.  A fundraising event should be a celebration of, and for, those volunteers along with creating a friendly environment for new prospects to learn about your work and mission.  Prospects invited by, and hosted by, your leadership should become your pipeline of new donors.  Ideally hosted at the table of a board member or committee member to make them feel welcome – or maybe they are already friends – answer questions and connect a face to your organization.

Sure, we need to talk about tickets, tables, and sponsorships since raising money is a fundamental part of a fundraising event but if you are looking at an event as the transaction of selling tickets then you probably won’t raise the donations you hoped for, and that is when frustration ensues.  And in my opinion, you missed the point.

I started Tea Kettle Group focused specifically on fundraising event strategy.  How to make your event more efficient, more effective, more profitable, and more fun.  If you also want your events to be more, then give me a call and let’s talk.

What’s Next;

  • Is your event strategic?

  • The importance and role of a committee

  • Are you robbing Peter to pay Paul? event ticket vs. annual fund vs. restricted giving

Monika Mraz