Secrets to a Fabulous Fundraising Party!

By Gail Perry

Lots of fundraising is built around socializing, isn't it? Whether it's a formal fundraising event or not, we are often organizing large or small groups of people in social situations. So it's really important to know your social skills and be able to throw a fabulous party.

For years, I've entertained audiences with my secrets to a great party. Now, I'm sharing them with everybody!

But first: What's the difference between an "event" and a "party"? An event is when you throw a bunch of people in the room, give them something to eat or drink, and hope they survive. A party is when you actually care about the experience they are having.

Maybe we, as fundraisers, just might want to pay more attention to the quality of the party experience for our guests. Just like we'd do at home. To be a great fundraiser, you need to be really good at "small talk," listening, conversation and socializing. Right? You need to be able to interest and engage people. So here are my tips for a fabulous party:

STAGE ONE: BEFORE THE PARTY
Here is where your plan can make or break you. Be sure you follow these tips:

1. Put together a terrific committee. Your committee is your "social branding" for the party. People will attend because they are close to your organization or they know someone on the committee. Plaster your invitation with committee members' names.

Be sure you have committee members from a wide-ranging demographic. Get different professions and types on your committee: real estate folks, attorneys, bankers, corporate types, soccer moms, different communities around your town, different religions and social networks. Get different ages on your committee.

And be sure committee meetings are fun!

2. Get your sponsorships. Focus on identifying and soliciting sponsors. That's where the profit will be for your event. And it takes plenty of lead time to properly approach the right sponsors and close the deal.

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Gail Perry Author's page Gail believes in parties first, rabble-rousing second, and having fun while changing the world. Gail Perry CFRE is an international fundraising coach, speaker, trainer and thought-leader. She is a leader in a new breed of fundraisers who are on the cutting edge of fundraising today. Her Fired-Up Fundraising approach, developed over the past 25 years as a nonprofit philanthropy expert, has helped organizations raise hundreds of millions in gifts. Gail's practical and refreshing approach to raising money in today's world is based on the very latest innovative fundraising strategies. An inspirational and popular speaker, she leads energizing fundraising workshops and board retreats around the globe. She particularly enjoys working with nonprofit board members, introducing them to a new perspective on fundraising and ways they can be successful at it. Gail's book, Fired-Up Fundraising, has been called the "gold standard guide to building successful fundraising boards." Gail got her start in fundraising at Duke University, and then went on to lead fundraising at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can read Gail's weekly blogs at FiredUpFundraising.com, and also find her provocative articles at FundraisingSuccess, Guidestar, and Capital Campaign Magic.

My Secrets to a Fabulous Party!