Careful fundraiser event planning can help you grow your nonprofit and raise awareness of your cause. Before the big day, you’ll want to determine your organization’s primary goals, secure sponsors, sell tickets, and set up your venue for success. Here’s how to host a fundraiser, including steps for securing sponsorships and using digital fundraiser tools to your advantage. Determine fundraising goals The first step in fundraiser event planning is determining your goals. Most nonprofit organizations organize fundraisers to: Raise funds: The main goal of fundraising events is to fund your ..read more

Achieving financial sustainability as a nonprofit is no easy task. With financial obstacles like high interest rates, inflation, and unpredictable donors, finding sustainability can feel like an uphill battle. That’s why it’s imperative that nonprofits diversify their income sources. Find out how your nonprofit can work toward strategic sustainability. Why Should Your Nonprofit Embrace Strategic Sustainability? The Need for Sustainability  According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) Q3 2023 report, market trends in 2023 pointed to a decrease in donor participation and mone ..read more

Students are the bedrock of any college or university, and once they complete their studies, they continue to lead the way in uplifting their alma mater and cultivating a better future for new students.  Let’s explore the importance of tapping into your school’s legacy and seven helpful strategies to boost alumni engagement at your higher education institution.  Why Should You Engage Your Alumni? Here are some reasons why fostering alumni relationships is essential for any college or university.  Creating a lasting sense of community Students will maximize the benefits of attend ..read more

Whether it’s the allure of a sizable grant that comes with too many strings attached or a volunteer management tool that promises the world but delivers very little, nonprofits are no strangers to deals that seem too good to be true. The same can be said about so-called free fundraising platforms for nonprofits. Though the initial thought of a free fundraising platform is quite appealing, it’s important to understand just what you’re getting (and not getting) after you sign up. Read on to discover the hidden costs of free fundraising platforms and how you can avoid falling victim to them. &nbs ..read more

Who doesn’t want an excuse to get away from it all? If you’re looking for a way to catch someone’s attention at your next fundraiser, try luxury travel packages. In an age where many people value experience over possessions, travel has become one of the most enticing awards you can offer at a charity event. These big-ticket packages can effectively draw in a crowd and ignite some fierce bidding wars — perfect for any in-person, virtual, or hybrid fundraiser. The Benefits of Offering Luxury Travel Luxury travel is a wide-reaching perk that appeals to many attendees while attracting gu ..read more

In tough economic times, fundraising rejections can be more common and might get your team down. Overcoming negative feelings is essential for maintaining momentum and making your fundraiser more enjoyable and effective for everyone. Learn more about how fundraisers can stay positive with these eight strategies. 1. Don’t Internalize Failures While personal accountability is important, taking rejection personally is a sure way to build negative energy. Internalized thinking occurs when you diminish the effects of things outside your control. For example, if someone rejects your donation request ..read more

Looking for better ways to recruit volunteers and cultivate those relationships? With the value of a volunteer rising 6.2% in 2022, the last year that data is available, to $31.80, these are impactful people your team should spend time stewarding.    We’ve brought together a panel of partners, bursting with ideas to help you both navigate these relationships and get more volunteers invested in your mission.   We asked our panel, “What tip(s) do you want to share for volunteer recruitment and training?” Experts from our on-site event management and donor engagement part ..read more

The executive director is the most important role in the management of an organization, so it’s critical that they be involved in every decision the board makes. Sound advice and guidance from the staff leader help the board stay focused and move in the correct direction, so they are a vital member of that team, but the executive director is different. They handle different problems than the board members and have different responsibilities. Leading a nonprofit team to success requires an executive director who can wear many hats and effectively guide the organization toward its goal. Challeng ..read more

Last year was an important one for GiveSmart customers, and we want to share the data, insights, and – most importantly – the success the thousands of nonprofits, associations, and schools we partner with had in their communities.   This report isn’t just about numbers; it’s a celebration of their dedication and the difference nonprofits have made in their communities. We’re highlighting a year of growth, peer-to-peer wins, fundraising event success, industry trends, Community Award winners, top resources, and more.   Why an Impact Report?  Measuring impact is cruc ..read more

Feeling the pressure of the upcoming fundraising event season? You’re not alone!   Two out of three nonprofits feel increased pressure to stand up more revenue streams. We’ve brought together a panel of partners, bursting with ideas to help you freshen up your events this year to overcome event planning fatigue.  We asked our panel of partners, “What unique fundraising ideas have you seen recently that helped that organization have fundraising success?” Experts from our on-site event management and donor engagement partners shared responses to elevate your sponsorship opportunit ..read more