Over the past several years, the event landscape has shifted dramatically. While in-person events are back in action, you may also still consider a hybrid or virtual option for one of your organization’s upcoming events.  

Whatever you decide, special events can build excitement and community around your mission and motivate your supporters to give. But hosting a successful event is a huge undertaking.  

Luckily, you’ve got options when it comes to the type of event you host and the tools at your disposal to make it happen.  

Download A Guide to Diversifying Your Nonprofit Event Strategy: Create High-ROI In-Person, Hybrid, and Virtual Events, to learn how to fine-tune your events strategy. Let’s get started! 

Download the eGuide Here

The post Diversify Your Nonprofit Event Strategy and Create High-ROI In-Person, Hybrid, and Virtual Events appeared first on Network for Good.

Build strong relationships

One of the most important aspects of securing event sponsorships is building strong relationships with potential sponsors. Take the time to research and learn about their values and interests. Researching sponsors in advance shows you have done your due diligence. In addition, it allows you to save time by identifying the right partners to pursue, so that you can strategically position your organization to secure funding without feeling overwhelmed. 

When approaching potential sponsors, it is important to be authentic and personal. Share your passion and dedication to your purpose and explain why your event is important and valuable to both the community and for the sponsor. Do not be afraid to show your personality and sense of humor, but keep it professional. Remember, people support people, so make sure your communications and interactions reflect who you are as an organization and as individuals.

Create a solid proposal  

Crafting a well-developed sponsorship proposal is key to capturing the attention of potential sponsors and getting them excited about supporting your purpose.

To make your proposal stand out, it is important to personalize it for each potential sponsor. Take the time to research each sponsor and understand what they value and how your event can align with their interests. Highlight the specific brand benefits that your event can offer and how it can help them achieve their own goals. Brand benefits can include mentioning their support in social media posts, including their logo on event materials, or even inviting them to participate in your event through breakout sessions or panels. Check out my free downloadable, “What to Offer Sponsors,” and my presentation, “What Sponsors Want and Why They Need You,” to learn about more brand benefits you can offer a sponsor.

Use creative and inspiring language and visuals to make your proposal memorable and engaging. You can do this by inserting photos or video links of your organization in action. Remember, your proposal is not just a document–it is an opportunity to connect with potential sponsors and showcase your organization’s values, purpose, and impact. So, have fun with it, be authentic, and let your passion shine through!

Practice good stewardship 

At this point, you have secured the support of sponsors for your event–this is a huge accomplishment and a testament to your hard work and dedication to your cause! Practicing good stewardship to ensure that these partnerships continue to thrive beyond your event is vital to the longevity of the sponsoring relationship.

First and foremost, it is important to communicate regularly with your sponsors. Keep them in the loop on your progress, share updates on how their support is making a difference, and be responsive to any questions or concerns they may have. This will help build trust and strengthen your relationship with your sponsors.

Another way to practice good stewardship is to express your gratitude and appreciation for your sponsors. Take the time to thank them personally for their support, and recognize their contributions in any relevant materials or activities based on the sponsorship level they commit to. 

Lastly, it is important to follow through with what you agreed upon with each sponsor. Sponsors will likely return if you fulfill the agreement made between the two of you. 

By practicing good stewardship, you will create a community of supporters who are invested in your cause and committed to making a difference. So, as you move forward with your event planning, keep in mind the importance of practicing good stewardship with your sponsors. Together, you can make a real impact and create lasting change for your community. Learn more about practicing good stewardship in my presentation, Art of Sponsorships.

Celebrate your success

Finally, do not forget to celebrate your success! There are many moments that you can celebrate.

1. Pressing send on the emails you have prepared to approach your sponsors.
2. Securing a meeting and beginning a relationship with a potential sponsor.
3. Getting a sponsor’s buy-in or interest in a particular sponsorship level.
4. Receiving the notification that your sponsor said “Yes” to your request and receiving a check from them.
5. Hosting a successful event.

Don’t let these moments pass by. Acknowledge them with your team through celebration. You can even share your success on social media and in your communications with your email subscribers. Celebrating your success will boost your confidence along the journey of seeking sponsors and help build momentum and excitement for your next event.

We hope you’re able to utilize these tips and strategies as you prepare for your next nonprofit event. By focusing on securing strong event sponsorships, you will ultimately raise awareness for your nonprofit’s purpose within your community, and gain a larger, long-term support system for your organization. 

About the author:

Mariah Monique, MPH is the Founder and CEO of The Sponsorship Catalyst, where she and her team helps nonprofit organizations position themselves to secure event sponsors by packaging sellable event sponsorship opportunities. Mariah is a Sponsorship Strategy Educator and Consultant, sponsorship seeker, and a funder, so she has a tri-fold perspective to teaching nonprofit organizations how to secure sponsors. Additionally, she has reviewed and evaluated hundreds of sponsorship packages and pitches, made decisions for sponsorship fund allocation, and built brand activations. She knows what sponsors want.

Published: May 9, 2023

The post 4 Tips and Strategies for Spring Event Sponsorship Success appeared first on Network for Good.

In this webinar, we’ll explore the strategies and best practices for maximizing your event sponsorship potential. We’ll cover topics such as identifying the right sponsors, crafting compelling sponsorship packages, and creating a positive experience for your sponsors before, during, and after the event to ensure ongoing support.

We’ll also discuss the importance of measuring and evaluating the success of your sponsorship efforts, and how to use this information to improve your future events.

Whether you’re just starting out with event sponsorship or looking to take your efforts to the next level, this webinar will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed!

Speaker: Sabrina Walker Hernandez, Supporting World Hope

The post Maximizing Your Event Sponsorship Potential appeared first on Network for Good.

By designing for your purpose, you can create an event that increases engagement, educates donors and leaves them telling others about your mission and your work. All while increasing your fundraising.

The guest experience has never been more important and yet it’s so easy to lose that while being buried in the details and task lists.

Samantha Swaim will discuss how the busy fundraiser can focus their work for the biggest impact. She will share examples of events designed for purpose and will leave you with some easy steps to adopt for your next event.

Speaker: Samantha Swaim, Founder of Swaim Strategies

The post Events That Keep Your Donors Talking and Giving appeared first on Network for Good.

That is not reality; let’s rewind. What is a donor cultivation event? And how is it different than a regular fundraising event? A donor cultivation event, also known as a friendraising event, is a more intimate event tailored to cultivating new donors!

During this webinar you’ll learn:

• How donor cultivation events are the gateway to individual giving
• 7 tips on hosting a Friendraising event
• How to identify your next donors
• How to engage your board in Friendraising
• How to engage your top donors in Friendraising

Speaker: Sabrina Walker-Hernandez, President/CEO of Supporting World Hope

The post A Cultivation Tool to Find New Donors: Friendraising Events appeared first on Network for Good.

Well, this training is for you! We will be busting myths, sharing pitfalls, building belief, and discussing details about what to offer sponsors to secure them for events and more.

You will walk away feeling confident about the opportunities you’re developing for sponsors to partner with the work your organization is doing. In addition, you’ll have a greater understanding and sense of pride about how valuable you are to your potential sponsors.

Speaker: Mariah Monique, Founder of The Sponsorship Catalyst, LLC

The post What Sponsors Want and Why They Need You appeared first on Network for Good.

Not sure how to get started? We’ve got you covered. Here are five tips for hosting seamless events this spring: 

1. Survey Your Supporters, Board, and Staff. 

First and foremost, it’s important to gauge the interest of your key stakeholders when planning your event. Take the time to survey your supporters, board members, and staff to determine what type of event is the best course of action for your nonprofit. Should your event be fully virtual, or does an in-person component make sense? How many people are likely to attend the in-person event should you offer that option? It’s important to understand your guests’ perspectives before moving forward.  

2. Plan Your Event. 

Once you have determined what type of event you would like to host, start planning. Download our Events and Auctions Timeline to assist with your planning process and learn more about how to promote your event with 4 Tips for Your Nonprofit Event Promotion Strategy.  

3. Consider Implementing Virtual Event Elements. 

This is a great way to engage with a larger audience and reach more supporters. Consider capturing some pre-recorded content that can be shared both in-person and virtually. Prepare talking points for your speakers that include interactions with the virtual audience so that they feel more engaged with the event. Finally, utilize Network for Good’s events platform to bring your virtual event to life: 

• Host your event on a YouTube or Vimeo event page optimized for attendee engagement through chat and on-page donations.  
• Utilize a live donor scroll, text-to-give, and real-time giving thermometer to engage with donors no matter where they are.  
• Allow attendees to register quickly and easily with no usernames or passwords via our easy user interface. Plus, you can offer promo codes to increase attendance and ticket sales.  

Value Add: Check out two real-life hybrid event success stories from Network for Good customers.  

4. Host an Auction to Boost Donations. 

Auctions are a tried-and-true way to boost fundraising revenue during nonprofit events. In fact, our customers have seen a 13x return on investment with Network for Good Auctions! Our auctions platform allows you to seamlessly host auctions without using paper bid sheets, plus supporters can participate from anywhere, whether they are at the event or not. The platform allows for an intuitive bidding experience so bidders can: 

• Sign up quickly and easily—no username or password needed.  
• Participate from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. 
• Make a wish list. 
• Keep track of bids. 
• Receive outbid notifications on their phone. 
• Self-checkout and receive automated receipts at the end of the event. 

Hosting a virtual auction through Network for Good is an easy way to engage your supporters both in-person and virtually during your hybrid event.  

5. Follow-up with Both In-Person and Virtual Attendees. 

It’s important to follow up with your attendees after your event. Send them a thank you note and share the highlights and results of your event. How much did you raise and what impact will those dollars make? Network for Good’s Events and Auctions platform is integrated with the donor management system, allowing you to easily pull a list of event attendees and interact with them in a variety of ways.  

Interested in learning more about Network for Good’s Events and Auctions platform? Request a demo of this upgrade and learn more today!  

Published: January 24, 2023

The post Spring Into Event Season with These Five Tips appeared first on Network for Good.

Mariah Monique will be taking a deep dive into the importance of  knowing your audience, how to build sponsoring relationships, and how to present desirable sponsorship opportunities to your dream sponsors.

Speaker: Mariah Monique, The Sponsorship Catalyst

The post The Art of Securing Sponsorships appeared first on Network for Good.

Growing relationships with donors through monthly newsletters and personalized communications 

“Network for Good has definitely made our relationships with donors and volunteers better. Prior to Network for Good, we were having a hard time getting a newsletter out that people would read.”  

Now, their newsletter is reaching a little over 4,000 people.  

Designed with the goal of making donor communication effortless, Network for Good has everything you need to help you reach donors where they’re at. “[this platform] is giving donors the opportunity to really see what we are doing.” 

Creating a high-performing and professional giving experience 

“Prior to Network for Good, we didn’t experience donations where we should have. There were too many steps.” From peer-to-peer pages to capital campaigns, our customizable giving pages are quick and easy to set up and provide a seamless experience for donors. 

Integrated events and auctions built specifically for small nonprofits 

“Being able to set up a specific event and being able to account for people worked out really well for us these past few years,” added Brooke. Network for Good’s events and auctions products within Network for Good’s fundraising software allowed Mutts with a Mission to track RSVPs to their annual graduation ceremony and then follow up after, as well as organize sponsorships and run their auction. “It helps us bring everything into one place,” added grant writer Karen Goodwin-Barbour. 

Ready for better fundraising results? Contact us today! 

Published: May 13, 2022

The post Mutts with a Mission Engages Its Community to Grow Awareness & Fundraising appeared first on Network for Good.

Learning About Your Audience

First, WHO are you reaching out to? Have you divided your donors and prospects into cohorts? Can you easily separate your organization’s loyal friends from its baseline supporters or from those who have been added to your roster with no clear rationale (“I think Jane Smith would really like what you’re doing”)? What about your volunteers? How are they classified in your outreach strategies?

A good database – and someone who knows how to use it! – is an invaluable tool here. Think about creating different donor or prospect groups based on the results you want. For example, from a loyalty group list: do you want them to make an upgraded gift this spring? Or, from a new prospect: do you simply want them to engage with you (i.e., visit your organization, attend an event, respond to an invitation)? Think strategically about what kinds of groups can have the most meaningful impact.

Understanding Donor Behavior

Next, you can’t think about who your donors are and how to categorize them without considering how exactly you will reach out to them. Consider all the outreach strategies at your fingertips: social media, direct mail, emails, phone calls, in-person visits, etc. Do you utilize the resources at hand?  It’s highly unlikely that a one-size-fits-all method is equally effective across every kind of donor or prospect you have in your database.

Don’t be afraid to reach out personally to a volunteer, a board member, or a long-time donor and ask them their thoughts. Does that volunteer have access to other, different community groups or have a large social media following? Work with that person to craft a strategy that is compelling to them, such as an Instagram reel highlighting your work. Is your board member willing to help you reach new, high-level prospects? Perhaps that fundraising appeal or outreach strategy involves a personal letter or email. Do you have a solid mailing (or emailing) list from a recent community event? Maybe direct mail would be effective for those folks.

Utilizing Donor Data & Trends

Hand in hand with these considerations, however, is the necessary analysis to determine what kind of outreach draws the most response from what groups. Again, data is your friend here – have you captured this information somewhere? Do you already know that direct mail doesn’t work as well as you’d like, but your social media posts are on fire? What strategies are most effective? What has let you down? It’s essential to take a moment and review the results you’ve been getting from your fundraising appeals and outreach strategies. Relying on a fallback outreach strategy of “we’ve always done it this way” isn’t often the best course of action.

Take advantage of a “spring cleaning” mindset to review who you are reaching out to, how you appeal to them, and what’s most effective. You may find that letting a little fresh air into your outreach strategies helps improve your fundraising appeals throughout the year.

Looking for affordable software to help your nonprofit better understand donors and prospects? Let Network for Good help! 

Published: April 19, 2022

The post Different Approaches to Strong Spring Fundraising Appeals appeared first on Network for Good.