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Issue 2
February 2007 |
In This Issue
When the Party’s Over!
Once your event is over, convene a meeting of the leaders of the event to conduct a critique of what happened. This is critically important in planning for your next event and should happen as soon as possible. Delay, and people will begin to forget important details.
A review of the event starts simply with the questions: What went right? What went wrong? The replies to those questions will contain the answer to the next question. Will we do it again next year? There are other questions you need to answer, such as:
• Did the event make a significant enough amount of money?
• Were the tickets priced just right?
• Will the event help promote community involvement and continuing support?
• Did the event help make new friends?
• Did it divert attention or interfere with other fund-raising?
• Did we secure enough underwriting to significantly reduce expenses?
• Did we have an active, dedicated, supportive board? |
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Provided by MatchMaker FundRaising Software |
Welcome to MatchTips!
MatchTips, a quarterly newsletter from MatchMaker FundRaising Software, will provide fundraising tips and technology information to nonprofit organizations. Volume 2 dives into the world of special events. Below are helpful tips that will help you navigate through your first special event or enhance your long-running events.
Special Events: Blessings or Learned Experiences?
By Pam Betz, President, Betz & Company, Inc.
 Special event fundraisers are a necessary component of doing business for nonprofit organizations. They consistently heighten awareness about your organization’s mission and provide a unique opportunity to introduce new friends to your programs.
Often considered labor intensive and major learning experiences, your fundraisers, if planned and implemented well, can become the key element in your annual giving program. As your organization becomes known for its signature event, the resource of prospective donors and volunteers becomes priceless.
The following tips might just help you make your event a blessing.
Tips On Soliciting, Acquiring and Retaining Corporate Sponsors
By Rebeca Mojica
 Corporate sponsors seem to be everywhere in today's world. Take the Olympics, for example. Hard to imagine what the skating rink would look like without those ubiquitous banners touting fast-food restaurants and telephone companies. It's not just the big events that draw sponsors, either. Small, local events-10K runs, award dinners, neighborhood festivals-usually have a slew of corporate logos in the accompanying literature.
Why is corporate sponsorship so prevalent? Quite simply, it makes money. Done correctly, it can make a lot of money and build important relationships. Done poorly, it can cost money and waste many people's time.
I've put together a 9-step guide that offers tips on soliciting, acquiring and retaining corporate sponsors. It is by no means a "definitive" guide, but it is a good starting point. The guide was written with small- to mid-size events in mind, however most of the suggestions offered apply to larger groups as well.
Tracking Your Special Events
As you begin preparations for your next special event fundraiser, one of the first steps is to decide how to track the progress of your event. The right choice will save you valuable time and make planning for future events even easier.
MatchMaker FundRaising Software’s event management program is designed to help your nonprofit manage all aspects of an event. From mailing invitations to overseeing auction items, MatchMaker’s features will help track and report on your event to ensure the whole process is easy and effective, providing a great return for your nonprofit.
• Your guests are important and you need to take care of their needs. Specify guest preferences such as menu choice, food allergies, handicapped access or non-smoking.
• It’s about making money and maximizing the return on your investment. Monitor event budgets before, during and after an event; record income and expenses; track sponsorship income and benefits per sponsor; and manage silent auction donations and purchases.
• Simplify the process for your staff and volunteers. Track multiple fundraising activities at a single event (i.e. a golf tournament that includes a silent auction and raffle). Set up seating charts, table hosts, golf foursomes, bowling teams and more. And, generate name badges and place cards to ensure accuracy.
• The fortune is in the follow-up. Send event specific mailings, such as invitations, acknowledgements and thank you letters to show your guests you care. Even track the tax-deductible portion of ticket prices for your tax statements.
Having the right tools for the job will help you manage any special event and guarantee a smooth planning process. For more information about MatchMaker FundRaising Software visit http://www.matchmakerfrs.com/ or call us at 800-752-3100. |
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