About this event
Topic: Trends in Event Fundraising
Speaker: Dwight Adkins, Director & Strategic Consultant, Samantha Swaim Fundraising LLC
Date: June 26, 2014
Details: Check-In: 3:00 pm
Program: 3:30-5:00 pm
Did you know that if you’re doing your fundraising event the same way you’ve done it for years, you’re actually doing it wrong? Events have a life cycle of about seven years. Sometimes technology and trends in events can actually make that life cycle even shorter BUT it also makes the work more exciting. Event-based fundraising is an ever-changing and improving landscape that continues to evolve as the organizations that use them find more effective tactics, and the donors who attend them change how they engage in philanthropy. Instead of looking at these changes as a wildcard in your development plan, organizations can stay on top of the trends and maximize the opportunity of their fundraising events to hit their goals out of the park.
We’ll take a look at:
• Trends in event formats and how organizations are changing up the standard gala to invigorate donors
• Use of peer-to-peer networking and social media to increase attendance and event buzz
• Use of different technology platforms (mobile bidding, mobile giving, video) at events to increase engagement and giving
• What’s selling in live & silent auctions and how
• Trends in effective donor/sponsor stewardship
Speaker Bio:
I have over 20 years experience with volunteering and civic engagement through the Hands On movement. Early in my career I volunteered with Hands On Nashville, and lead their annual day of caring and eventually served as a board member. Immediately after moving to Portland 14 years ago, I got involved with Hands On Greater Portland as a volunteer, volunteer leader and
board member. In 2007, I joined the staff of Hands On Greater Portland as the assistant director and oversaw the organization’s fundraising and marketing efforts.
My professional experience ranges from my role for seven years as the Corporate Relations Manager for Oregon Food Bank to membership director for the YMCA of Nashville. I have continued honing my community skills first as
an alumni of the Leadership Portland program and most recently the American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy Leadership program facilitated by the Center for Creative Leadership. With over 20 years of experience in development and event planning within the non-profit world, I possess a wide array of skills and knowledge, from facilitation to project management to a deep knowledge of fundraising. I now teach non-profits how to plan fundraising events that best serve their organization and fundraising. By focusing on every organization’s individual needs and vision, I’m able to supply each with the tools they need to increase fundraising and fulfill
their mission.