Fundraising For Dummies, 4th Edition

Chapter 19

Planning a Successful Special Event

IN THIS CHAPTER

Determining which special event is right for your nonprofit organization

Planning all the details of your event, including the budget and timeline

Organizing an online special event

Knowing what to do after your event is over

When you say special event, people often think of black-tie, high-society events with fancy catered food and a fine orchestra. Although major nonprofit organizations hold these black-tie events regularly (and with finesse), there are many different types of special events with different costs and constituencies that you can plan to raise funds for your organization without overwhelming your budget.

When considering what type of special event you want to throw, one of the first questions you have to ask yourself in tough times is this: “Is this appropriate for the economy we’re operating in?” Maybe a lower-cost event would be more suitable, considering the economic climate in which you’re operating. Your donors are more likely to support a mission-focused event when times are tough. Or maybe you’ve ...