Fundraising Events That Drive Engagement

Love this campaign by Stella. "Worth it" ✨ Playing off a familiar scene we all know. That claustrophobic bar. Enter "Claustrobar" You're crammed shoulder to shoulder... Getting bumped left and right. Then you get your first sip. Makes it all worth it. 👀 Or does it...? We're seeing the OPPOSITE trend for B2B events. Marketers want smaller more niche events. Think dinners with 15 to 25 people. ONLY the exact ICP they want. We just did our Q1 retro at The Alliance 🧵 NEW Q1 EVENT DATA FOR YOU: Dinners under 25 people drove 3.4 times higher average pipeline per attendee than 200+ person field events Sponsor satisfaction scores were 27 points higher for private dinners vs traditional happy hours Events with personalized pre invite cadences had a 35 percent average acceptance rate among ICP targets Renewal rates on sponsor programs anchored around curated dinners hit 82 percent, compared to 58 percent for "open bar" events Thats why we're doubling down on niche events. Dinners and intimate VIP exeperiences. Why they worked so well: Step 1: ICP first targeting Every attendee list starts with sponsor aligned ICP firmographic filters: Company size, role seniority, industry fit, existing buying intent. Step 2: Personalized outreach Dedicated in house teams send direct invites framed around relevance. We track weekly acceptance rates and optimize touchpoints if we fall below 30 percent. Step 3: Pre event intel Sponsors get attendee insights two weeks before the dinner. They know which companies and titles are coming so they can plan the content PRECISELY for that audience to make it hyper relevant. Step 4: Structured conversations No loud music. No random crowds. Strategic seating charts and guided conversation topics aligned to the topics attendees and sponsors care about. This makes the experiences great for BOTH the company sponsoring and the attendees. Ends in a win win for everyone. Example for you: At our Austin dinner for a sponsor in Jan - 17 handpicked senior leaders attended - 76 percent of attendees booked follow up demos within 21 days - The sponsor sourced $3.2 million in net new pipeline which was 3.1 times their original goal TLDR Invest in more dinners ✌️ 

For nonprofits, community fundraising challenges can help turn one-time supporters into champions. When someone fundraises on behalf of an organization, they bring their own story, network, credibility, and energy. They help people understand why the mission matters, turn passive support into active participation, and often reach people the organization could never reach on its own. When a supporter decides to run, walk, bike, swim, or climb for a cause, they’re also “brandraising”  by sharing what the nonprofit means to them, helping friends, family and neighbors build - through their advocacy -an emotional connection to the nonprofit they care about and bringing in new advocates for the organization. This is one of the things GoFundMe does best: providing a platform where supporters become advocates, organizers, storytellers, and fundraisers for the causes they care about most. A few powerful recent examples that inspired me: The #BurghProud Challenge brought together fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Pittsburgh Steelers to fight hunger, inviting people to walk or run 30 miles in 30 days while raising funds for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The campaign raised over 1 million for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. https://lnkd.in/gw_rFSpR Skate Across America rallies supporters around Chad Caruso's amazing journey to raise awareness, inspire action, and create impact. Together, they raise funds and awareness for Natural High, helping provide young people with the tools, inspiration, and support they need to prioritize mental health, avoid substance misuse, and thrive. This is the *second* time Chad has skated across America - he’s an incredible guy.  https://lnkd.in/gmaKdQgK Defenders of Wildlife is empowering supporters to turn their passion for nature into action through community fundraising. Advocates can rally friends, family, and their broader communities to help protect endangered species, defend critical habitats, and ensure future generations can enjoy our natural heritage. https://lnkd.in/gU_S6HTM The best community challenges do even more than raise funds. They spark connections, start conversations, and shine a light on important causes, giving everyone a way to help that feels personal, joyful, and communal. Every day on GoFundMe, we see communities come together through challenges like these to support organizations doing essential work and create meaningful impact.

The connection between donors and the mission is crucial for fundraising campaigns. Imagine your donor, with a morning coffee in hand, sitting at the kitchen table, not just reading about your cause but becoming an active part of it. Here's how to transform your donors from passive contributors to active participants: 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐬 & 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬: Include a survey in your mailings to gather their opinions and preferences. This simple step shows donors that their input is valuable, making them feel heard and respected. 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Encourage them to sign a petition related to your cause. It’s more than just adding their name; it’s taking a stand. This shared action binds them more closely to your mission. 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 & 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬: Give them the opportunity to send a personal message to someone benefiting from their support. This direct interaction creates meaningful connections, making the impact of their donation deeply personal. These strategies are more than just fundraising techniques; they are powerful engagement tools that transform the act of giving into a participatory experience. When donors are actively involved, they not only contribute more, but also become long-term advocates for your cause.

Recently, I was pitching to a prospective company for a sponsorship. While preparing the pitch deck, I kept asking myself one question - “What would make them say yes?”🤔 That process completely changed the way I look at pitch decks. Because a pitch deck is not just a presentation. It is a decision-making document.✅ While building it, I realised something important👇 - Sponsors are not interested in how big your event sounds… - They care about how relevant and valuable the opportunity is for them. Here are a few things that truly matter when creating a pitch deck: 🔹1. Audience > Everything else Clearly define who will attend. Are they relevant to the sponsor’s business? Are they decision-makers or serious participants? 📊2. Show real numbers, not assumptions Community size, engagement, past attendance, expected reach. Numbers build credibility! 🏟️3. Position the event correctly Don’t present it as just another event. Position it as a flagship platform with scale and continuity. 🎤4. Strong content builds credibility Quality of speakers, panels, and sessions directly impacts perception. ⏱️5. Think from a retention perspective Sponsors care about visibility throughout the day. Plan engagement (quizzes, interactions, etc.) to keep audiences hooked. 🤝6. Be extremely clear on deliverables Stage time, branding, stalls, promotions, data access - define everything clearly. 💰7. Simplify the commercial structure Keep pricing straightforward. Offer flexibility where needed, without diluting value. 📈8. Always answer the ROI question What does the sponsor gain? Leads, visibility, positioning, and access to a niche audience. Final takeaway: > Sponsors don’t fund events. > They invest in access to the right audience. If your pitch deck communicates that clearly, closing sponsorships becomes significantly easier. #Sponsorship #PitchDeck #EventStrategy #FinanceCommunity #BrandBuilding #Networking #CapitalMarkets #LinkedInIndia #ProfessionalGrow

81% of major gifts are a result of long-term donor relationships—not quick asks or cold calls. Building a reliable major gift pipeline starts years before the solicitation—it’s the cultivation and nuanced touchpoints that make the difference. It takes 18–24 months, on average, from a first gift to a major gift ask. Donors who receive personalized, impact-driven updates are 3x more likely to increase their gift over time. Flipping the script from “asking” to “advising” increases response rates by over 50%. A performing arts center launched “behind-the-scenes” donor events for anyone who gave over $500 in the past two years. In the following season, 35% of attendees increased their giving, with six new major donors emerging from the cohort. Major giving is rarely about the ask—it’s about the invitation to deeper partnership. What’s your most effective cultivation touchpoint before a major gift ask?

I'm probably going to get a lot of push back on this one but can we talk about fundraising events for a second? I feel like we're seeing two very polarized camps at the moment - all in on events v. burn them all down. But I think we need to be honest that there is a lot of grey in the middle here. Yes, I know the kind that take months to plan, burn out your team, and at the end… barely move the needle on long-term support. I’ve actually been there myself, pouring every ounce of energy into silent auctions and gala checklists, only to be left asking: Was this worth it? But here’s what I’ve realized (and what I hear over and over from the 60,000+ fundraisers I’ve coached): I was getting events wrong because I was focused on the wrong outcomes. 👉 Events aren’t inherently bad. But they often reinforce a transactional model of fundraising > chasing one-time donations, measuring success by attendance or dollars-in-the-door, and masking exhaustion as “commitment”. But what happens when events are about building alignment and connection with potential Power Partners—not just collecting checks? Here’s what that could look like: > Design for connection, not just content: Prioritize moments that allow authentic conversations and shared values to emerge. > Ditch the donor performance pressure: You don’t have to wear a mask of perfection to be worthy of investment. > Follow up with alignment, not asks: Use post-event outreach to invite potential partners into deeper relationship (if it’s the right fit). Events can build trust, clarity, and long-term sustainability when they are done right (and when the post event follow-up is really where the magic happens). It isn't all or nothing, it isn't inherently good or bad. It's all what you make it and where you intention lies. Have you ever hosted an event that felt misaligned? What would you change now? #FundraisingEvents #PowerPartners #WhatTheFundraising #NonprofitLeadership

Most charity events are designed to raise money on the night. But some of the best fundraising results come from events that don't ask for a penny. In this episode of the Fundraising Bright Spots podcast, Chris Salt from Candlelighters shares the stewardship events strategy that has helped his relatively small Yorkshire charity achieve its best ever year for corporate partnerships. The recipe is refreshingly simple. Three relaxed early-evening gatherings a year, hosted for free by a different partner each time. Stories from families the charity supports. Time for partners to connect with each other. And a healthy dose of fun (their last one involved building towers out of dry spaghetti and jelly babies!). The results speak for themselves. At the end of their very first event, one law firm upgraded from Charity of the Year to permanent Charity of Choice, worth £10,000 a year. Another partner extended for a further two years because they simply couldn't bear to leave. If you'd like to weigh up whether something similar could work for your charity, Chris generously shares how they do it and what they've learned. Listen to the episode via the link in the comments 👇 #CorporateFundraising #FundraisingPodcast #FundraisingEvents #CharityPartnerships

If your nonprofit isn’t doing THIS after each grant you win, you are missing out on a lot: One of my favorite client stories really drives home how a thoughtful approach to relationship building can make all the difference. After winning a grant proposal for a community garden project, my client didn’t just wait for the reporting period. Instead, they kept the funder engaged with personalized updates in the form of progress photos. No ask, no pressure, just a genuine, “Look what your support is making possible!” But they didn’t stop there. Once the project was underway, they invited the funder for a casual tour of the community kitchen that the garden now supplies. The visit was relaxed, informative, and built real rapport. Guess what? When the next funding cycle rolled around, that funder remembered them, not just as another applicant, but as a trusted, community-driven partner. And when it came time to award grants, my client’s organization was top of mind. Moral of the story: Stay connected, share your wins, and invite funders to see your impact firsthand. It’s not about asking for more, it’s about building relationships that last. #GrantWriting #NonprofitSuccess #CommunityImpact #FundraisingTips

OK, fundraisers. Tired of galas and golf outings? I have written extensively on how events can be a waste of time and talent just to raise a tiny amount once you count all of the staff time involved in planning/executing it - seriously, your ROI is probably not the number you've been calculating. BUT events are here to stay. So what's the next big event? 🎪 Have you been to one or have an idea for one? Some ideas for consideration: Instead of a golf outing... ⛳ Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball leagues are all the rage. 🥒 Everyone I know over 50 is getting into it - a great demographic to engage. This is a sport/game that can be both fun/low stakes as well as very competitive, so you'll have a mix of serious athletes and people goofing off with their friends. Like a golf outing...but cooler. Instead of a gala... 🎉 A Weekend of Luxury & Learning: Attendees gather at a resort destination or local high end hotel where they will stay overnight and have two days of experiences - putting with a top golf pro, a well known baker walking you through their favorite cookie 🍪 recipe, an art class with a trending painter, an expert on your cause reporting the latest data and news. Instead of a Charity Auction with Jewelry & Wine... 💍 Experiences Only Auction: Instead of auctioning off items, auction exclusive experiences like dinner with a celebrity, stargazing with an astronaut, 👩🚀 lunch with the mayor of your town, behind-the-scenes tours of interesting locations, or even a day of mentoring from industry leaders. Last experience of the night to build excitement? A "Leave Right Now" Getaway Raffle. 🏖 Instead of a 5K Race... 🏃♀️ Dancing With the (Your City) Stars: 💃 Pair participants (local celebrities & leaders) with professional dance partners in a DWS-esque competition. It can be a casual daytime event with a focus on hip hop and swing with a DJ or a higher end dinner event (ballroom & salsa dancing with a live band). Now, a few important reminders about events: We WILL count staff time toward the expenses of all events so we know the true ROI of our events and can really understand the value of them. ⏱ When considering a new type of event, we WILL consider what kind of event reflects our mission and what elements we can incorporate to highlight it. We will also avoid elements that could distract from it - think "serving foie gras at a Stop Animal Cruelty event." 😬 As we map out our event's run of show, special guests, speakers, programs, slide shows and all that is communicated during an event, we WILL remember to choose a few strategic key messaging points and ensure that these are shared and emphasized throughout the event. 💬 Planning takes time, so it's a great moment to begin thinking about your 2025 lineup, how you can swap out and replace a dated, stale event with something new, unexpected and intriguing, or enhance one that needs a refresh. 😎 #nonprofits #nonprofitevents #events #2025ideas #fundraising