Increase the Impact of your Fundraising Event with these tips!

Social events are a great way to raise money for your cause and create awareness and engagement about what your organization does. They also help to straighten relationships with your supporters, as well as educate about the impact your organization has on the community. At an event, donors will be able to truly understand your nonprofit firsthand — so, don’t just view it as a way to make money, but also a way to build personal and long-lasting connections.
On these occasions, you should take advantage of the fact that there is a group of people gathered in one place, at the same time, willing to hear all about your organization’s story. With that in mind, Here are some ideas about how you can increase your fundraising event’s impact to instruct people about your mission.
 

Before the event

While promoting your event, take full advantage of all of the channels that you have to reach your donors. That includes e-mail invitations, social-media campaigns, “tell-a-friend” forms on your website, creation of specific pages for your event/campaign, and many others. Use these opportunities by clearly communicating your organization’s cause and making it easy for people to share and forward the information to their network.
Don’t forget that the invitation to your event is an advertising tool to promote not only the event but your organization as well. Every invite is a chance to inform potential donors about your organization, especially for the people who can't attend your event. It’s important to tell potential donors about your organization’s impact and provide a way for these recipients to donate without attending the event.
 

During the event

This is the time to engage and educate your supporters. Try different ways to interact with your attendees throughout the event. Here are some suggestions:
Make sure the message is delivered from the moment people walk in. Display large signs of the event at the entrance of the premise, as well as registration check-ins. This reinforces their attendance and your branding and messaging.
Invite speakers who have benefited from your mission. They can provide real and effective testimonials for your organization and your cause.
Technology is another tool you can incorporate at your events. There are many creative ways to use it to accept donations, promote your mission, and engage your donors. One example is to consider taking contributions before, during, and after an event by using an online platform.
 

After the event

After the event, you want to thank your donors. This is another opportunity for you to engage even further with them, tell your organization’s story and cherish the relationship.
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Proper planning will help your organization turn your event from the only time donors hear from you to the beginning of a beautiful and fruitful relationship that grows during the rest of the year.