The Foundations of an Effective Fundraising Event

About this event

November 18, 2015 | 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Networking & Continental Breakfast at 8:30, Presentation at 9:00

Partners In Care, Wyatt Room | 2075 NE Wyatt Court | Bend, Oregon 97701

Member Pass Eligible, $25 NAO Members, $50 Nonmembers

Presenter

Samantha Swaim, Owner, Swaim Strategies

The landscape of non-profit events is constantly advancing, and nowhere is this more evident than in the current state of the fundraising event. Gone are the days of auction catalogs of items being sold by commercial auctioneers, in are the days of smartly produced events that take your donors on a journey to understand the work and passion of your organization. Fundraising events can be an effective revenue stream when built from the ground up with your donor and your fundraising goal helping determine how you move forward.

In this session we’ll cover the ground that will gain you the most in your fundraising potential. How does an event fit in your fundraising plan? What type of event should you produce? And how will you get the biggest return on the time investment of planning an event. We’ll take a look at how to develop a program to fit your donor base and a budget to achieve those aims, good logistics that support fundraising, smooth systems, effective programs, and the creation of a strong, dynamic special appeal. We’ll also drill down on the smaller specific logistical elements that often hang up planning and can actually make or break an event’s budget and fundraising like: should we serve a buffet or plated dinner, how much wine do we need to procure, effective room layouts and more.

The aim of this session is get you to continue to think creatively with the pieces you’re already doing well and revamp the pieces that have been holding you back from achieving your fundraising potential.

About the Presenter

Samantha Swaim With more than 18 years of event planning and fundraising expertise, Samantha Swaim focuses on how to maximize the potential of any fundraising event. She is a passionate supporter of the nonprofit world and believes strongly that the volunteers and visionary leaders working in nonprofits are at the center of positive change that is making our communities stronger. It is with this passion that Samantha founded Swaim Strategies in 2004. Samantha is a strategist, a teacher, and a producer. Her professional career began in TV and theatre production. While working for the Grammy Awards, Samantha was introduced to event planning for charity and found her calling. She then began working in nonprofit development for various arts groups and health organizations. Samantha’s passion is implementing strategy and education to provide nonprofit leaders with the tools that they need to increase their fundraising and reduce their workload. By designing an event that uniquely engages an organization’s support base and is tied closely to the organization’s mission, Samantha brings a high level of production that captures both the fun and the funds. As a teacher her goal is to provide nonprofits the keys they need to turn a good event into a great fundraising event.

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We encourage participants to attend the entire Nonprofit Network of Central Oregon series by using a NAO Member Pass. You MUST log in to your NAO user account to purchase.

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