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1. Introduction
- Texas A&M University Press
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1 Introduction Standing near the former president of the United States was a tall, handsome African dressed in a blaze of traditional Maasai red. Barely 20 years old, the young man was the son of a chief and in time would become a chief in his African homeland. But he was not with the former president because of politics or tribal status. He was a student whose education was being funded at a leading university in South Africa by members of the audience. He was among the “motivational elements” assembled at this international nonprofit organization’s premier fundraising event where more than 15,000 members had assembled for four days of fun and fundraising . At one of the event’s several formal dinners, to be followed by a major auction, members heard the young African speak of his dedication to the cause of wildlife conservation. They listened intently as he told of his commitment to take what he had learned from members of the organization during his visit and go back to his country to use his new knowledge as a leader. The members were enthusiastic and renewed their commitment to fund education of young Africans at African universities . Later the former president spoke, introduced by a celebrated former general of the US Army. This was yet another of many attractions driving $8 million in revenue orchestrated by the host organization over the four-day event. The people who came gave. Many received something of value in return by bidding at the auction and playing raffles, while others simply gave to the cause. When they returned home, many members worked to hold their own local fundraisers. They duplicated the banquet/auction/show format at events in their own communities. They raised money and funded favorite causes locally, as well as helped fund the inter- 2 inTrodUCTion an organization need not hold an event to successfully raise money, but this book will explain how to use an event as the centerpiece of an annual repertoire of fundraising that will produce high net revenue. volunteers and staff of nonprofit organizations can deliver spectacular results for a worthy cause in good economic times, and generous results in times of economic downturn, by hosting a wellorganized , well-run event. does $8.3 million raised at one event sound possible ? this is the amount raised during an annual four-day event for which i was responsible as executive director of a nonprofit organization. But this event was much more than just an auction or a grand banquet. it was a series of auctions, raffles, exhibitions , educational seminars, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner extravaganzas followed by even more spectacular auctions. another organization i helped manage held nearly 5,000 auction-raffle events each year. the events were successful because they followed a tested formula that involved making fundraising and event management decisions based on objective criteria, business planning, close attention to expenses, and teamwork. Many readers may find greatest value in this book’s description of actual fundraising techniques, but the fundraising event is an elaborate affair where everything attendees see, hear, smell, and do once they enter the event site affects the outcome of giving, and thus net revenue, to the host organization . therefore, this book covers all aspects of the fundraising event, along with several advanced techniques to further enhance fundraising. What i see most often at fundraisers are highly competent staff and volunteers incompetently running fundraising events. anyone can act incompetently if he or she doesn’t have the knowledge, experience , or training to act otherwise. this book provides a comprehensive base of knowledge to those very competent, dedicated people who are passionate about a cause and willing to spend their time and energy raising money to achieve a goal that will benefit society. Given all the time, talent, and energy that go into event fundraising each year, isn’t it about time to channel this time, talent, and energy most effectively and efficiently? national organization’s conservation, humanitarian, and education work in the United States and throughout the world. TiMe and again, a simple fundraising formula is duplicated. each time it will be a success when done right. it will work in good financial times and bad. Money for a cause will be raised. Fundraising events range from elite affairs in large cities, where black tie and gown definitely are not optional, to the “meat and potatoes” banquet auctions and backyard barbecue fundraising events held in thousands of small towns in rural...