Crowdsourcing. Definition: on-line fundraising platform i.e. First Giving, Crowdrise, Network For Good and Givezooks, that lets a person or nonprofit organization cultivate donations from family and friends. Used in conjunction with social media. Synonyms include on-line fundraising and social fundraising. Vivanista Founder, Layne Gray, conducted a webinar in conjunction with First Giving for over 300 … Continue Reading
Event Planning, Fundraising
Getting Serious about Planning a Comedy Night Fundraiser… New Jersey funny gal Robin Fox, self-styled “Mother of all Comedians,” makes her living by making people laugh–a lot. This veteran of the comedy circuit has won multiple awards for her silliness, and if you’re anywhere in the northeast United States, she’ll be performing at a comedy … Continue Reading
Event Planning
There are many minor nuances that can leave fundraising event guests with a bad taste – both literally and figuratively, in their mouths. Here are seven items that you can address before they ever become an issue. 1. Bad wine. Okay, this is my biggest pet peeve. When donors spend hundreds of dollars for each … Continue Reading
Blog, Event Planning, Quick Tips
Darling, there are some on the cocktail circuit who think I’m an itsy bitsy bit obsessed with Thomas Friedman of the New York Times. Okay, maybe. But I could be enamored with worse cultural commentators; take Perez Hilton, for example. T to the F, as I fondly refer to Mr. Friedman, is so darn eloquent; in … Continue Reading
Event Planning, Marketing and Promotion
If you see that past supporters are not returning to attend your fundraising event you need to ask what reasons they may have so you can address them immediately. Here are some of the major reasons people do not attend fundraising events they’ve supported in the past: 1. Too expensive: With tough economic times, it’s … Continue Reading
Event Planning, Expert Advice, Quick Tips
Yikes, as Event Chair you’ve worked so hard to make your big Gala the best ever. You’re super excited and are working your butt off but ticket sales are not keeping pace with last year. What do you do? Here are 5 ways to draw new attendees: 1. Ticket alternatives: A. If you haven’t done so … Continue Reading
Event Planning, Marketing and Promotion
At the Vivanista Fundraising Summit we will have a fun session glibly termed ‘Auction Wars!’ I created the term based on my daughter’s obsession with the reality show, Cupcake Wars. Ironically, Sprinkles Cupcakes has joined as a Summit sponsor and will be providing cupcakes for the session; one of the ironies being that Sprinkles Founder, … Continue Reading
Auctions, Event Planning, Quick Tips
Thank you for sending in such thought-provoking, challenging questions during the last week of VivaQA. We’ve gone through your inquiries and chose the following question for our founder, Layne Gray, to answer.
Blog, Event Planning
If you’re a new event chair, or interested in putting together your first fundraiser, read on! Below are 10 key pointers to help you make your first event an extraordinary one.
Event Planning, Quick Tips
You may have the perfect venue and entertainment, but what can truly make or break an event in the audience’s eyes? The menu. Follow these easy tips and send guests home raving about the cause, the event, and of course, the food.
Event Planning, Quick Tips
