Special Events: Proven Strategies for Nonprofit Fundraising
As the philosopher Martin Buber wrote: “All real living is meeting.” People like to get together. That’s why special events can often work so much better for nonprofit organisations than other, less social types of fundraising programmes.
From red-carpet galas to Saturday afternoon street fairs, special events offer nonprofits an unparalleled opportunity to both raise money and make friends.
Yet for all the benefits—and they are great—inexperience and bad planning can make these events more trouble—and a greater financial drain—than they are worth.
Special Events: Proven Strategies for Nonprofit Fundraising, Second Edition is the complete guide to making your next nonprofit event the rousing success it can be. Packed with author and development professional Alan Wendroff’s realistic insights and pointers, this text provides a logical and comprehensive outline of event planning, with a special emphasis on fitting these events into the larger framework of the nonprofit’s organisational goals.
Inside you’ll find such helpful tools as:
- Seven goals for a successful event
- The Master Event Timetable (METT), a proven organizational tool that provides step-by-step guidance through the entire event process
- A case study explaining in understandable detail how to implement the advice and methods outlined
- An accompanying CD that includes sample timelines, worksheets, checklists, budgets, writing examples, decision tables, and contracts
From choosing the right event to the best way of expressing thanks afterwards, Special Events covers all aspects of producing a winning fundraiser for your organization. In addition to the brass tacks of managing logistics, the coverage includes thoughtful discussions on how to take full advantage of the networking, volunteer recruitment, public relations, and motivational opportunities your special event can provide. This updated Second Edition features new information in these areas, plus an entirely new chapter on using the Internet for event planning.
With the needs of nonprofit organisations only growing as donations shrink, special events become more and more vital in sustaining the life of these organisations. Nonprofit lay leaders, professionals, and staff, as well as marketing professionals and event planners who work with nonprofits, will all find in Special Events, Second Edition a clearly drawn road map leading to fundraising success.
Reviews
“This comprehensive and detail rich book is a great addition to a fundraising library. Novices will find their anxiety banished and seasoned professionals will find they still can learn some things. If you want maximum mileage out of your events, use this book!”
Kim Klein, Publisher, Grassroots Fundraising Journal
“Applause for Alan Wendroff’s book, Special Events Proven Strategies for Nonprofit Fundraising, called for a Second Edition – an encore. Alan Wendroff uses his return to the stage as an opportunity to expand upon and enrich his previously presented special event strategies. In this updated edition, Wendroff guides the reader onto the Internet with its cost effective, timely, and considerable means for planning and conducting special events. The web-based strategies discussed in the Second Edition include volunteer enlistment, marketing to an expanded audience, and moment-by-moment stewardship. The newly presented strategies can further your event’s success and attract greater returns for addressing organizational mission objectives.”
Skip Henderson, MSW, Providing Fund Raising Counsel
“Alan Wendroff takes special events seriously. This updated edition of his work is essential for organisations seeking to involve today’s potential donors and volunteers.”
Eugene R. Tempel, Executive Director, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, headquartered at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
