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 0 Comments
From the First Giving webinar Layne Gray conducted October 20th, we have selected a handful of the best comments from the hundreds of attendees both from the standpoint of overcoming objections as well as some great suggestions. Thanks to all who contributed! OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS Lisa Ask who is the decision maker and would they make … Continue Reading
Corporate Sponsorship, Quick Tips 0 Comments
Jules Brown is a copywriter who specializes in writing highly persuasive, highly emotive, and very successful direct marketing campaigns for charities and non-profits. Here are twenty persuasive phrases he has come up with, and used, that will make your donor or sponsor feel like a hero: Have you ever felt… You helped us achieve this, Joan. … Continue Reading
Corporate Sponsorship, Quick Tips 0 Comments
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 0 Comments
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 0 Comments
The following terms are relevant to charitable fundraising so Vivanista took on the challenge of providing explanations for each applicable term. A Advocacy- The work of an attorney or legal advocate. Can be used casually, as well, to mean pleading or arguing a case. For instance, “The little girl’s advocacy for Christmas every day fell … Continue Reading
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What do you get when a bunch of seasoned fundraising pros sit down for an evening to have a little Twitter chat about WORST practices? Believe this: it was a steam valve that needed to release a little pressure! Vivanista founder Layne Gray got to tweet and eavesdrop on the best of the worst of … Continue Reading
Blog, Quick Tips 0 Comments
Find out why you need to brand your organization from this corporate panel, including Yelp co-founder Nish Nadaraja, who is well respected as a true branding guru. Find out what makes your nonprofit board successful from Kay Sprinkel Grace, author, well-respected consultant and international speaker on the topic of board development. Follow Darian Rodriguez Heyman, … Continue Reading
Charitable Events, Quick Tips 0 Comments
School is in session and it’s time to sharpen your pencils and take some notes. These five articles we like will take you back to class with thoughtful ideas and studies on using your best voices to tell your compelling stories, the state of board and executive relationships, and finding definitions inside and outside our philanthropic dictionaries.
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.
