Slide share 12 Step Cure for Nonprofit Event Addicition

The 12 Step Cure to Event Addiction

Linda Lysakowski, ACFREPresident, Linda Lysakowski, LLC

Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity

Special Event AssessmentAre your events raising funds, raising

friends, or raising your blood pressure?


Why Have a Special Event?• Raise Funds• Raise Friends• Build Relationships• Thank Volunteers• Recognize Donors• Advance Mission of Your Organization


Pitfalls of Special Events• Drain on staff and volunteers• Disrupt normal routine• Can lose money• Opportunity to “flop” publicly• Time consuming• Planning Time


So, why do we keep doing too many events?

• It’s comfortable• Our board’s love them! (or do they?)• Our donors love them! (or do they?)• Our volunteers love them (or do they?)• We’re addicted!


The 12 Step Cure1. Evaluate Events2. Evaluate Entire Program

3. Review Results

4. Choose One-two Events

5. Development Plan

6. Development Committee


The 12 Step Cure7. Board Development8. Develop Infrastructure

9. Develop Case for Support

10. Implement Annual Fund

11. Research and Cultivation

12. Major Gifts/Planned Giving


The 12 Step Cure1. Evaluate Events

• Use our special event assessment tool• Be honest about time spent• Assess NET income, not gross revenues


The 12 Step Cure2. Evaluate Entire Program:

• Development audit• Self-assessment tools


The 12 Step Cure3. Review Results:

• Board• Staff• Volunteers


The 12 Step Cure4. Choose One or Two Events to Keep:

• Mission-related• Most effective• What to do with the others?


The 12 Step Cure5. Development Plan:

• Diversify, diversify, diversify• Plan events to coordinate with the

rest of the plan


The 12 Step Cure6. Establish a Development Committee:

• Not just an event committee• Board and non-board members


The 12 Step Cure7. Board Development:

• Governance Committee• What should your board look

like?


The 12 Step Cure8. Develop Infrastructure:

• Donor tracking software• Policies• Procedures


The 12 Step Cure9. Develop Case for Support

• Your story• Make it compelling• It must be emotional and

rational


The 12 Step Cure10. Implement Annual Fund

• Mail• Phone• Website• Social Media


The 12 Step Cure11. Research and Cultivation:

• Identify donors• Research donors• Cultivate donors


The 12 Step Cure12. Major Gifts/Planned Giving

• Start with current donors• Involve board and volunteers• Moves management


Special Offer• 15% Discount on

Fundraising for the GENIUS: use discount code linda2014books at ForTheGENIUS.com or LindaLysakowski.com


Thank YouContact Linda at

[email protected]


Government & Nonprofit

Slide share 12 Step Cure for Nonprofit Event Addicition