HOW TO USE EVENTS FOR BETTER FUNDRAISING

Daniel KimballProduct Specialist at Aplos Software

Daniel Kimball

Dan Kimball is a seasoned fundraiser with twenty years of experience in strategic fund development and nonprofit management.

He’s currently developing Aplos’ Donor Management Platform to help nonprofits connect with (and cultivate!) their donor base.

“Fundraising is a relationship business.”

Twitter: @fugativedmk @aplos_webinar

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IntroductionMost nonprofits/CBO’s have a signature event or host events throughout the year. They are an important part of your fundraising plan for both revenue and awareness.

This webinar will focus on how to leverage those events tobring new donors to the organization.

A fundraising event is not an end in and of itself;it holds the potential to significantly expand an organization’s traditional fundraising pipelines.

A strategic approach can convert event donors into annual fund, major and planned gift donors.

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Events and the Donor Cycle

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The Upside of Events

When successful, events can bring in much needed money and support to your nonprofit.

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Events are great for building awareness to your mission and organization.

Events are a great way to reach out and engage a new group of people or different demographic.

Events are a great way to gain corporate support and sponsorships.

Events can bring the community/people together to support a common cause and a positive feeling.

The Positive and Negative of Events

Special events tend to have higher cost, lower ROI- To raise one dollar in a fundraising event, it will cost you $.50 to raise it.

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Events can burnout your volunteers and staff.

Events can be risky, unpredictable and not always make money at first.

Staff time to plan can take away from other priorities.

Board expectations can be unrealistic and challenging for staff and leadership.

Event Donors & Event Participants

What is the difference; The motivation behind supporting a friend/colleague/loved one versus supporting a mission that one is personally passionate about.

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Transactional vs Transformational.

Event Donors & Organizational Donors- An event donor is more likely to stop supporting an organization if their link to the event participant is terminated, while an organizational donor is not dependent upon a third party.

There are more opportunities to incorporate the donor cycle with organizational donors.

Ways to leverage events into larger gifts:

Gathering information and data.

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Educating event participant about your mission and the work you do.

Choose the right fundraiser for more opportunities to engage potential donors.

Friendraising vs Fundraising.

Find ways to get your current donors/board members more involved.

Ways to leverage events into larger gifts-

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Following up after your event-Share the results. Don’t neglect it. https://vimeo.com/142429710

Say thank you- You can never thank too much. Attendees/volunteers/staff and vendors, it is time well spent.

Ask people to give. Find the right person for the event to make the ask.

Use events to recognize donors and other significant people of the organization.

Ways to leverage events into larger gifts-Ask people to get involved in other ways: Subscribe to your website/Share your event with their friends.*Follow you on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.*Sign a petition or pledge.*Watch a new video on YouTube or Vimeo.*Become a volunteer.

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Embrace and utilize technology.

Use the right event for the right ask. Know your audience.

Be thoughtful and strategic when planning your events with donor acquisition in mind.

Final Thoughts and Thank You

Your event should not be just an event. It’s an opportunity to move people along a relationship continuum and giving them an opportunity of “what’s next” when it comes to their involvement with your organization.

Remember:

AwarenessInterestInvolvementInvestment- The result of all the work

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Conclusion/ Q&A

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About AplosWe’re the #1 solution in online donor management software for nonprofits.

Fundraising is important, but you probably wish you didn't have to spend so much of your valuable time raising money. Aplos' all-in-one solution helps you raise money, track giving, and ensure your donors have a positive experience with your organization.

Visit aplos.com for more information.

"Nonprofits all across the country are praising the software's ease of use, reasonable price, and great customer service." - NPTechNews

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