SHOW ME THE MONEY A Practical Approach to Planning A Fundraising - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SHOW ME THE MONEY A Practical Approach to Planning A Fundraising Event Scott Cheney, MA, MS

Objectives • Attendees will gain an understanding of current theories employed in fundraising • Explore the various methods of fundraising with a focus on fundraising event planning • Assess your community for a viable fundraising event • Develop a mock event through an immersive exercise

My Background • Non-profit professional experience • Developed and conducted numerous fundraising events: • Black-tie galas • Dinners • Auctions • Color runs • Brunches • WAA Drag Queen Bingo (5 years) • Nearly $500k raised from events

Theories & Methods Theories Fundraising Methods • Identifiable Victim Effect • Major Donor Asks • Goal Proximity Effect • Long-Term Campaigns • Goal Focused/Capital Campaign • Generations Theory • Expert Influence • Legacy Gifts • “Hopeful” Rebranding • Events

Fundraising Event • What events are already in the community? • Identify a gap • What population do you want to target? • How many people do we want to come? • Where is the venue? • What will we provide? • (food, alcohol, etc.) • What can be donated? • What will we charge? • How will this event make money? • What activities will the event have (auction, raffle, etc.) • How will we maintain momentum? • ROI • Ask critical questions • Donor appreciation

Wyoming AIDS Assistance  We provide financial assistance to men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in the state of Wyoming  For over 15 years, we have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in the state of Wyoming. To date we have raised over $250,000 to assist HIV/AIDS positive people with their medical, dental, vision, and mental health care costs. Your generosity has helped countless people avoid eviction, gain access to purified water, and pay for expenses that insurance or other assistance programs don’t cover.  Make tomorrow a little bit better than yesterday  Decreased stigma  Increased awareness  Increased access

Laramie Drag Queen Bingo 2019

Laramie Drag Queen Bingo 2019 • What events are already in the community? • Black- tie galas, dueling pianos, dinners; event’s geared towards older people • Gap: Events that are LGBTQIA+, younger, and affordable • What population do you want to target? • Millennials, college students, allies, young professionals • How many: 400 • Where is the venue? • U.W. Conference Center at the Hilton; only space in town big enough and affordable

Laramie Drag Queen Bingo 2019 • What will we provide? • Bars • Pizza (first come first serve) • Entertainment • Prizes - donations • VIP wine and table favors • What will we charge? • VIP table (10 seats) - $200 • DQB+ seats - $15 • General seats - $10 • How will this event make money? • Event tickets • Raffle tickets • Additional bingo supplies (cards, daubers) • Paddle raisers • WDH grant – covers some overhead

Laramie Drag Queen Bingo 2019 • How will we maintain momentum? • Critical questions • Social media throughout the year • Testing events • Presence at community events • Crowd-source the theme • Donor appreciation • Listen to the comments and make changes

Laramie Drag Queen Bingo 2019 • Identifiable Victim Effect • Single examples of a request that we receive that is relatable • Rent, transportation to physician, medications • Goal Proximity Effect • Not shy about how much we wanted to raise - $25,000 • Paddle raisers – “Who can give us $100 to help reach our goal”? • Generations Theory • Know the population present • Younger donors: Mission focused and driven • Expert Influence • Press and politicians present • Recognizable administrators from U.W. • “Hopeful” Rebranding • Make tomorrow better than yesterday

Laramie Drag Queen Bingo 2019 Expenses Income VIP Table Items $2,217.84 Ticket sales $4,480 Conference Space $1,500 Major checks $9,861 Sound and Lighting $898 Cash $7,909 Pizza for attendees $800 Card payments $5,121 Advertisement $300 WDH Grants $2,200 Bars $150 TOTAL $29,571 Printing $603.10 Performer expenses $925.26 Net Proceeds = $21,386.34 Miscellaneous $790.46 TOTAL $8,184.66

Laramie Drag Queen Bingo 2020 Expenses Income VIP Table Items $200 Ticket sales $4,480 Conference Space $1,500 Major checks $10,000 Sound and Lighting $900 Cash $7,909 Food for attendees $500 Card payments $5,121 Advertisement $300 WDH Grants $3,000 Bars $150 TOTAL $30,510 Printing $475 Performer expenses $900 Net Proceeds = $24,935 Miscellaneous $450 TOTAL $5,575

Return On Investment • What did it cost you to put this event on? • Regular expenses (expected and recurring) • Specialty expenses (gifts, swag, etc) • Spread it out over the years • Time • Staff vs. Volunteer vs. Board Members

Apply • What events are already in the community? • Identify a gap • What population do you want to target? • How many people do we want to come? • Where is the venue? • What will you provide? • (food, alcohol, etc.) • What will you charge? • How will this event make money? • What activities will the event have (auction, raffle, etc.) • How will you maintain momentum?

References • Genevsky, A., Vastfjall, D., Slovic, P. & Knutson, B. (2013). Neural Underpinnings of the Identifiable Victim Effect: Affects Shifts Preferences for Giving. The Journal of Neuroscience 33(43) , pp. 17188-17196. • Jensen, J., King, A. & Carcioppolo, N. (2013). Driving Toward A Goal and the Goal- Gradient Hypothesis: The Impact of Goal Proximity on Compliance Rate, Donation Size, and Fatigue. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 43(9) , pp. 1881-1895. • Waters, R. (2008). Applying Relationship Management Theory to the Fundraising Process for Individual Donors. Journal of Communication Management (12)1 , pp. 73- 87. • Hunt, G. & Lee, H. (1990). The Ten Principles for Successful Fundraising. The bottom Line, doi: 10.1108