The 12 Step Cure to Event Addiction Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE President, Linda Lysakowski, LLC Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
May 07, 2015
The 12 Step Cure to Event Addiction
Linda Lysakowski, ACFREPresident, Linda Lysakowski, LLC
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
Special Event AssessmentAre your events raising funds, raising
friends, or raising your blood pressure?
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
Why Have a Special Event?• Raise Funds• Raise Friends• Build Relationships• Thank Volunteers• Recognize Donors• Advance Mission of Your Organization
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
Pitfalls of Special Events• Drain on staff and volunteers• Disrupt normal routine• Can lose money• Opportunity to “flop” publicly• Time consuming• Planning Time
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
So, why do we keep doing too many events?
• It’s comfortable• Our board’s love them! (or do they?)• Our donors love them! (or do they?)• Our volunteers love them (or do they?)• We’re addicted!
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure1. Evaluate Events2. Evaluate Entire Program
3. Review Results
4. Choose One-two Events
5. Development Plan
6. Development Committee
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure7. Board Development8. Develop Infrastructure
9. Develop Case for Support
10. Implement Annual Fund
11. Research and Cultivation
12. Major Gifts/Planned Giving
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure1. Evaluate Events
• Use our special event assessment tool• Be honest about time spent• Assess NET income, not gross revenues
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure2. Evaluate Entire Program:
• Development audit• Self-assessment tools
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure3. Review Results:
• Board• Staff• Volunteers
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure4. Choose One or Two Events to Keep:
• Mission-related• Most effective• What to do with the others?
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure5. Development Plan:
• Diversify, diversify, diversify• Plan events to coordinate with the
rest of the plan
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure6. Establish a Development Committee:
• Not just an event committee• Board and non-board members
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure7. Board Development:
• Governance Committee• What should your board look
like?
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure8. Develop Infrastructure:
• Donor tracking software• Policies• Procedures
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure9. Develop Case for Support
• Your story• Make it compelling• It must be emotional and
rational
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure10. Implement Annual Fund
• Mail• Phone• Website• Social Media
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure11. Research and Cultivation:
• Identify donors• Research donors• Cultivate donors
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
The 12 Step Cure12. Major Gifts/Planned Giving
• Start with current donors• Involve board and volunteers• Moves management
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
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Fundraising for the GENIUS: use discount code linda2014books at ForTheGENIUS.com or LindaLysakowski.com
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity
Thank YouContact Linda at
Linda Lysakowski.com: Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy and creativity