Nonprofit events are hard to pull off. I know this because I have experienced the good and the ugly. I just witnessed a well-orchestrated nonprofit event: Birmingham’s Crisis Center annual Holiday Breakfast. Protective Life served as a fantastic sponsor with the president and a board member speaking with passion about the organization and offering the perfect space for the event. The Crisis Center executive director and other board members beautifully shared more about the mission and services of the organization. The Keynote speaker was outstanding parlaying his own crisis into the importance of the Crisis Center.

To nonprofits, here is the formula for event success:

·      Share the mission to provide with great clarity the reason the organization exists.

·      Tell stories to help current & potential donors understand first and second hand the impact of the organization.

·      Ensure the keynote speaker knows and ties his/her message to the mission.

·      Secure a zealous event sponsor. In the welcome, have the sponsor representatives share their passion for supporting the organization.

·      Ensure all podium speakers are prepared.  Each person has a prepared and unique message.

·      Have a call to action. Don’t forget to ask for support and have envelopes at the tables.

·      Remember it’s the small things – have board and staff make everyone feel welcome and special, recognize and thank supporters face-to-face and from the podium, follow the printed agenda, and start and end on time.

Nancy Rieves, Ed.D. is a fundraising guide. She provides overwhelmed nonprofit leaders with a roadmap to maximize and sustain major gift fundraising. She prepares leaders to be confident and successful in raising money. Reach her at nancy@nancyrieves.com.