You’re organizing a nonprofit event. What are the best leadership tools to make it a success?

Set clear goals that drive your overall fundraising strategy (donor acquisition, moving mid-level donors up, corporate partners) and be disciplined about the process to the goal. Events are a healthy part of a development strategy when it's clear how they drive future giving and relationships. Too many events are simply measured by revenue and the underlying process is not a good use of time.

Recognize that events may raise money but they don’t build financial sustainability. Donors who buy a ticket to a gala or a golf foursome won’t give again unless another—more elaborate—event is put on the following year. Instead of planning an event, consider using the same amount of staff and volunteer time to get to know donors. Invite them for a tour of the facility or to speak with a program officer. Connecting them to the mission will raise a lot more money than getting them to buy something from the silent auction.

Adding to Givebutter and Classy… auction frogs for event management is top tier for the price, that is why I came on board to work with their clients. Fundly or Givelively for peer platforms are both good and have great resources on their site. I prefer Fundly because I think it’s a little easier for schools and clubs to setup!

I have found the best tool at my disposal is community feedback. By taking the things that my current community enjoys about what we do and how we convey it, I am able to strengthen the first impact we have on potential community members. It also allows for my current community to take pride in knowing that they have had a hand in the new event’s success.

While aligning events with my organizational goals is crucial for me as a non-profit. Focusing on promoting sustainable development goals, as I did in the Millennium Campus Fellowship, demonstrates my commitment to social impact and helps create a cohesive narrative for my mission. It's a strategic approach to ensure my efforts contribute meaningfully to my broader objectives.

Make sure you have an A-team that is taking care of everything backstage so that you can focus on playing host. As a leader and main host of the event, you need to be there well before anyone shows up. Your energy will set the pace of the event. Keep reminding yourself to create a really memorable experience for your guests - its not about you or your org - its about creating a memorable experience so that they come back to you and engage with you long after the event.

The greater the reach the greater the potential to secure investment. Look at the organising group and identify which elements of the community your team represents. Then reach out to others to join the organizing team - so they bring new perspectives, approaches and audiences.

Embrace diversity across panels, teams, performances, guests, influencers, and every aspect of your event. Even when featuring well-known figures, ensure the inclusion of voices less heard. The broader the representation, the more diverse your audience and overall experience will become.

A successful nonprofit event aspires to be memorable, meaning an emotional connection to the organization’s mission was achieved in significant scale. Non profit work is public service work. A cooperative structure of a team leads to a collaborative workspace that reflects the synergy of the group. As simple as that .

To ensure the success of an event, it's crucial to align all team members with the shared vision and values. Engaging in focused training and communication, such as conducting case scenario sessions, fosters awareness and development in pursuit of the goals. Identifying the team's skills and knowledge gaps will help determine the necessary investment and resource allocation for strategic delivery plans. Constantly reinforcing each event values can also minimizes the potential for failure and enhances the ability to deliver impactful outcomes. Getting all team members onboard with the specific outcomes and expectations of each event is essential for efficient planning and execution.

Your event must reflect the population that you serve. Keep that in mind when choosing a keynote speaker, emcee, and anyone else who takes the stage during the event. It is also crucial that if you are hiring an auctioneer, for example, they know your mission, message, and audience. Even if you outsource certain aspects of your fundraiser, they still represent your organization, so they must know how to tell your story in your organization's voice.

Coordinating an event, especially a fundraiser when costs are top of mind, requires organized, clear communication consistently from all players. Teamwork without communication is impossible and once the event day comes, everyone should be able to work in synchronicity because goals, scheduling, and tasks have been made clear - allowing for collaboration in a high stress environment.

The 1st thing is to understand the community and target population. This will guide you on how to set attainable goals and best strategy. This will also inform you about the type of personal you want in your team e.g. an expert in non-profit management in the UK might not be ideal for same work in rural Nigeria. How you would strategise in one community may differ from another. We need to understand the community, its social norms etc before we can think of designing a project that serves them.

Knowing your audience is 100% necessary when it comes to running a successful event. What is the goal of the event? What is the budget? How can sponsorship help you reduce your event costs to help you focus on the end result of the event.

Events serve as chances to acquaint your organization with a wider community. Individuals who might not typically contribute may attend your event due to a compelling keynote speaker or an appealing entertainment element. It is crucial to recognize that the post-event activities often yield greater benefits than the event itself. Effectively following up with attendees and their connections is essential for donor retention and expanding your guest list for upcoming events. There is much fatigue around galas, golf tournaments, etc. So bring something different to the event that distinguishes your event from others. example - Our luncheon called "Empty Bowl" to end Hunger. Guests received a handmade bowl, donated by local artists.

In today's world, when we plan events, it's a good idea to consider making them "hybrid." That means offering both in-person and online options. This way, we can include people who might not be able to come in person, for various reasons. Hybrid events use technology to connect with a wider audience, no matter where they are or what their situation is. This makes events more inclusive, engaging, and accessible to everyone, regardless of where they are or what they can do. It's a smart and modern approach to event planning that takes into account our interconnected world.

What makes an event stand out from the rest? * Foster the unique strengths & skills from your planning team; let them shine! (ideas and input from people who show aptitude translate to deeper investment and excellence in execution) * Lean on the arts, creativity reaches the heart... (nonprofit work is heart work. When we lean on the skills of creative artists, designers, performers, a run of the mill event turns into an immersive & captivating experience) * Leave a personal touch (every attendee is an important stakeholder, and can hold great promise for future collaboration, donations, and support, having a team member personally connect with attendees, follow-up with a personal note, goes far beyond a generic post-event survey