Nonprofit Fundraising Events Are Misleading
I’ve been accused of beating up on events…
It’s not that I hate them. Really. It’s just that I see them get in the way SO OFTEN!
We simply think too highly of them.
Events are misleading. Here’s what I mean:
🟢 Events seem like a safe strategy.
“The event costs us nothing because we get so many corporate sponsorships.”
In reality, it costs HOURS of your staff’s time. That time can have a higher ROI elsewhere.
🟢 Events seem like an effective pipeline.
“Events are the place we have the most first-time donors.”
In reality, too many donors are giving at events because of who brought them…not because they were inspired by your mission. First time donors rarely give again in this scenario.
🟢 Events are fun for our donors.
“What do our donors get for giving at certain levels?”
In reality, mission-aligned donors don’t need to be entertained, get prizes, or get something as a result of giving. Your mission is worthy of donors giving to and not getting anything in return.
🟢 Events make it easy for Board Members to fundraiser.
“Our board members want an annual event so they can invite their network to come hear about our mission.”
In reality, filling a table at an event is the easiest thing for anyone to do for your organization. Board members should be making more strategic, one-on-one introductions to qualified donors all year long. Events are the easy way out for board members. Raise the bar.
How about you? What would you add to this list?
Whenever you’re ready, here are THREE things you can do next:
👣 Follow me on LinkedIn where I share insider info daily — the same lessons I teach my clients about attracting larger gen-ops dollars and diversifying revenue.
🍎 Grab FREE Guides + White Papers — download robust resources you can use to push against the sector’s misconceptions, equip your board, and shift your team into High-ROI fundraising.
📈 Work with me to diversify revenue & secure the gen-ops gifts you need to grow. If you’re a business-minded nonprofit CEO with big growth plans but need to make charitable revenue from investment-level donors a bigger part of your budget, you can apply to work with me here.
