I mostly dislike fundraising events. I used to say I hate them. And I still kinda sorta mostly do hate them. I don’t much like going and I sure don’t like planning them and I really hate the opportunity cost. (Like doing face-to-face solicitation instead!)
When I say fundraising events, I mean events that produce net profit. That’s their primary purpose. And then relationship building is a secondary purpose. (Don’t use visibility and relationship building as an excuse for not generating meaningful net profit!)
Because honestly, how much relationship building (for your cause) is actually happening at that golf event for your homeless shelter? People are talking about golf. Sometimes attendees don’t even remember why they were playing golf or for which cause – other than they’re golfers.
BUT… I do recognize their value when properly done, with good ROI, etc. etc. blah blah blah…
So AFP’s Summer 2014 issue of Advancing Philanthropy is a very good resource. All about events… “superlative not superfluous” events.
