Donations are the lifeblood of your nonprofit organization. Without the generous financial gifts from the general public and supporting members, you would not be able to perform all the excellent work that improves our communities and brightens people’s lives.
Like most nonprofit leaders, you likely host a fundraising event about once a year. Are you getting the best results from these events?
As one of the leading event catering companies in San Francisco, we have seen many fundraising events soar far beyond their financial goals.
We have also seen a few fall flat. Usually, the ones that struggle don’t fully deliver the message, while the ones that succeed make it abundantly clear what the group does, why, and how donors can help.
With these simple tips, you can maximize engagement, deliver the message, and increase donations at your next fundraiser!
Delivering the Message and other Ways to Increase Donations at Your Fundraiser
In our experience, this is the single most important aspect for increasing donations. There are plenty of fundraising events that, while elegant, social, and engaging, neglect the overall message, the reason why people are there in the first place!
By “results,” we mean emphasizing both the work you have done; the results you have already achieved, as well as the work that will be done; the results that will come from all the generous donations.
Numbers are useful when delivering the message. If at all possible, share data with potential donors. For example, you can inform people that you have “provided school books for 3,500 children,” or medical treatment for “1,000 stray dogs and cats.” You can also provide numbers on the problem: “this year, 25,000 school children in the Bay Area went without adequate school books” or “there are currently 7,500 stray dogs in San Francisco that need medical treatment.”
Start the event by emphasizing the results of your group’s work, and continue this theme throughout the evening.
According to Donorbox, a fundraising software company, there are nine words that increase donations to nonprofits. These simple, common words, including “you,” “small,” and “today,” help increase the personal connection between you and your donors while emphasizing the urgency of the problem. Take a look at these words and make sure they are peppered throughout your communications.
Everyone loves games. Even black-tie events can include a few fun and engaging games, such as darts or card games where you pay a small entry fee (which goes to the organization). The winner gets a small prize, but it’s not so much the prize that brings in participants, but the chance to enjoy a fun game while contributing to your cause.
Everyone loves to be a part of a group. It’s in our nature. Use this very human trait to your advantage by allowing people to join your cause, either as active members and volunteers, or as sustaining donors.
Create a station where people can sign up to become a part of your group, and provide detailed information on what they can do, as well as the process for becoming involved.
Remember earlier we mentioned emphasizing the results? It’s so important we want to remind you again! The success of your event could hinge on how well you communicate the problem and your efforts to solve the problem.
Throughout the evening, some moments will be better for gaining donations than others. From what we have seen, the most effective moment to request donations is right after a highly emotional speech or presentation. When people’s emotions are running high, they are more likely to open their wallets and checkbooks. Catch people when they are most inspired and you’ll increase donations throughout the evening.
When the time does come to request donations, give this moment plenty of time. A large portion of donations will come right after the first request, so give people plenty of time to think about their donation, fill out information, and finalize the gift. Quickly springing to the next part, such as the meal, will cut your donations short. Allow for at least 20 minutes of giving time after the first request.
There is a reason why commercials for nonprofit organizations use touching images that pull at your heart. They are effective. Images of sick children, starving animals, or people sleeping on the street are far more powerful than written or spoken words. Use images that apply to your organization to maximize the emotional connection between your group, your donors, and your cause.
Your attendees will be feeling extremely positive about your organization and your efforts. Utilize these feelings by encouraging them to join your group and rally support from their circles. Challenge people to take the cause to work, family, and friends, and show them how they can enhance your efforts by becoming a fundraiser in their own right.
Turn your event into a sustaining movement that not only generates a pile of income during the party, but also brings a trickle of donations long after the evening. By creating a mobile-donation system, you are allowing people to routinely give to your organization in a way that conveniently fits their needs.
Remind people that they can give wherever they are through their mobile devices, and walk attendees through the entire process. A detailed, step-by-step description of how to access and use the donation app will enhance your chances of seeing outstanding online results.
Have we mentioned this yet? Before your attendees leave, take the time to remind them one last time about all the great work your organization has done, and how their generous donations make your efforts a reality. Deliver the message a final time to ensure people stay committed to your cause and continue to donate long after the evening of fundraising!
If you want to have a fundraising event highlighted by some of the best catering in the Bay Area, contact Left Coast Catering today! We can help you create the right menu for your event, and we can even handle the planning and coordination!
