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PHILANTHROPY: Growing a Consistent Donor Base Through Club Fundraisers and Events

2024 SIERRA NEVADA REGION DISTRICT MEETINGS

EMILY ZISER & ANN BRYANT

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Why is it important to enhance donor engagement through club fundraisers and events?

2024 SIA Region Meetings

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Enhance Donor Engagement Through Club Fundraisers and Events Allows You to:

Strengthen Donor Relationships
Increase Fundraising Success
Boost Club Visibility

2024 SIA Region Meetings

Enhancing donor engagement through club fundraisers and events is important for several reasons.

Firstly, strengthening donor relationships helps build personal connections with donors and our mission. This personal connection allows donors to feel that they’re making a real impact, fostering a deeper sense of commitment and connection to our mission.

Secondly, increased fundraising success. Engaged donors are more likely to contribute again and often in larger amounts. The likelihood of these donors participating in more events or campaigns also increases significantly, leading to a more sustainable and robust fundraising pipeline.

Finally, boosting club visibility. Enhancing donor engagement raises awareness about your local and global impact, which helps attract new donors and potential new members. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the impact of our work, further strengthening our community presence and reputation.

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Examples of Fundraising Events

Trivia Night
Give Back Night at a Local Restaurant
Host a Movie Screening in a Local Park or Community Center
Bake Sale
Host a Catered Dinner or Lunch with Silent Auction and Raffle
Partner with a Local Center or Business to Host a Fundraiser

2024 SIA Region Meetings

Now, let’s explore some examples of fundraising events that can help grow a consistent donor base for your club.

Trivia Night: Hosting a trivia night is a fun and interactive way to engage your community and raise funds.
Give Back Night at a Local Restaurant: Partner with a local restaurant for a give-back night where a portion of the proceeds from the evening’s sales is donated to your club. This not only raises funds but also strengthens community ties.
Host a Movie Screening in a Local Park or Community Center: Organizing a movie screening in a local park or community center can attract families and individuals looking for a fun night out while supporting a good cause.
Bake Sale: A classic bake sale is always a hit! Members of your club can contribute baked goods, and the community can enjoy delicious treats.
Host a Catered Dinner or Lunch with Silent Auction and Raffle: This type of event can attract higher donations and engage your donors with an enjoyable experience.
Partner with a Local Center or Business to Host a Fundraiser: Collaborate with local centers or businesses to host a fundraiser. This partnership can bring in a wider audience and leverage the business’s customer base to support your club!

These events not only help raise funds but also build a sense of community and engagement around your club.

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Silent Auctions and Raffles
Examples can include:

Local gift certificates
Trips
Jewelry
Purses

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Enhancing fundraising opportunities during events is essential for maximizing support and achieving fundraising goals. Some effective ways to do so are:

Auctions and Raffles: Holding auctions and raffles can create excitement and competition among attendees, driving up bids and increasing funds raised.

Examples of items that can be included in silent auctions and raffles:

Local Gift Certificates: Partner with local businesses to offer gift certificates. This not only supports local commerce but also provides attractive items for your auction.
Trips: Offer travel packages or weekend getaways. These high-value items can attract significant interest and high bids.
Jewelry: Jewelry pieces can be a big draw, appealing to attendees who are looking for unique or special items.
Purses: Designer or custom-made purses can also attract great bids!

By incorporating these strategies, you can increase engagement and participation during our events, leading to higher fundraising totals and greater support for our mission.

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Ways to implement corporate sponsorship and donor recognition during events:

Auction/ Area Sponsor
Logos on event program
Logo on-screen during event
Recognition in event script

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Recognizing corporate sponsors and donors is crucial for maintaining strong relationships and encouraging continued support. Here are some effective ways to implement corporate or donor recognition in your events:

Auction/Area Sponsor: Assign specific areas or auction items to sponsors, allowing them to have their names prominently displayed. This not only highlights their contribution but also ties their brand directly to the event's success.
Logos on Event Program: Including sponsor logos in your event program is a simple yet effective way to acknowledge their support. It gives them visibility throughout the event and ensures attendees are aware of their contributions.
Logo On-Screen During Event: Displaying sponsor logos on screens during the event, whether it’s between presentations or during breaks, provides continuous recognition and keeps their brand in front of attendees.
Recognition in Event Script: Incorporate mentions of your sponsors and donors into the event script. This verbal acknowledgment during key moments of the event can have a significant impact, making sponsors feel valued and appreciated.

By incorporating these recognition strategies, we not only show the appreciation of the generosity of our sponsors and donors but also encourage their ongoing support, ultimately enhancing the success of our events.

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Ways to Build Lasting Relationship with Donors After Events

Post Event Engagement:

Send personal thank you notes by email or mail
Social Media
Laurel Society Information
How to become a Stargazer
Inclusion in Mailing Lists and Appeals

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Engaging donors and attendees after an event is important for building lasting relationships and encouraging continued support. Some effective post-event engagement strategies include:

Send Personal Thank You Notes:

By Email or Mail: Send personalized thank you notes to express gratitude for their participation and support. Ensure these messages are heartfelt and specific to their contributions.
Share Photos: When sending thank you notes via email, include photos from the event to help them relive the experience and see the impact of their support.

Social Media Engagement:

Post Event Photos: Share event photos on your club’s social media platforms to highlight the success of the event.
Tag Corporate Sponsors: Acknowledge corporate sponsors by tagging them in your posts. This not only shows appreciation but also increases visibility for both your club and the sponsors.

Send a Survey:

Distribute a survey to attendees to gather feedback. This will help you understand what worked well and what could be improved for future events.

Laurel Society Information:

When Someone Wins a Laurel Board: Provide them with information about the Laurel Society, including how they can continue their contributions and the different levels they can achieve.
Becoming a Stargazer: Inform them about the opportunity to become a Stargazer, detailing the benefits and impact of their ongoing support.

Annual Appeal and Mailing Lists:

Add these donors and event attendees to your annual appeal letters or other relevant mailing lists. This ensures they stay informed about upcoming events, campaigns, and opportunities to support your club.

By implementing these post-event engagement strategies, you can strengthen your connections with supporters, encourage ongoing contributions, and enhance the overall effectiveness of your fundraising efforts.

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Ways to Build Lasting Relationship with Donors After Events

Cultivating Donors:

Provide updates on any ongoing projects
Share success stories
Invite donors to other events or opportunities

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Cultivating and nurturing relationships with your donors is essential to maintaining their engagement and support. Here are some ways you can cultivate donors effectively:

Provide Updates on Ongoing Projects: Keep donors informed about the progress of ongoing projects such as upcoming Dream It, Be It (DIBI) workshops or Live Your Dream Awards (LYDA) events. Regular updates demonstrate transparency and show donors the impact of their contributions.

Share Success Stories: Highlight success stories that showcase the positive outcomes of their support. Personal examples of LYDA winners or communities benefiting from our programs can be incredibly motivating and affirming for donors.

Invite Donors to Other Events or Opportunities: Extend invitations to donors for other events or engagement opportunities. This could include volunteer opportunities, special events, or DIBI workshops. Personal invitations make donors feel valued and connected to the cause.

By continuously cultivating relationships with your donors, you ensure they feel appreciated and involved in our mission.

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RESOURCES

The Art of Donor Stewardship: Strategies for Consistent Engagement

https://www.weareforgood.com/article/the-art-of-donor-stewardship

Special Event Follow-Up To Convert Guests to Loyal Donors

https://bloomerang.co/blog/special-event-follow-up-to-convert-guests-to-loyal-donors/

Club Fundraising Resources

https://www.soroptimist.org/for-clubs-and-members/federation-information/sias-big-goal/fundraising-resources.html

2024 SIA Region Meetings