This document discusses common landmines to avoid when planning a nonprofit event and provides tips for successful event structure and planning. It identifies five potential problems: identity crisis, financial issues, lack of structure, failure to engage stakeholders, and not properly concluding the event. It provides advice on determining the event purpose, creating an organizational structure, developing a budget, documenting plans, and conducting a post-event review. The goal is to help nonprofits effectively plan and execute fundraising events.

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NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP SERIES
So …. You want to have an party!!

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•The Identity Crisis
•The Money Pit
•The 100/0 rule
•The Fumble
•Failure to Finish
FIVE LANDMINES TO AVOID

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REMEMBER –
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BOARD?

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Board of
Directors
Event Chair
Donations
(Sponsors,
auction)
Decorations
and
Entertainment
Event
Logistics
PR/Marketing
Staff
STRUCTURE IS KEY

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THE IDENTITY CRISIS
Some things just don’t go together

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• Fundraiser vs. Friendraiser
• Does event still fit your mission?
• Sacred Cow?
- Why continue?
• Return on investment of
- Staff time
- Volunteer effort
- Community resources
POINTS TO CONSIDER

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DETERMINE BRAND FOR THIS YEAR

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THE MONEY PIT
Income
Tables 10,000.00$
Sponsorships/Ads 14,000.00$
Donations 6,000.00$
Live Auction 10,000.00$
Silent Auction 10,000.00$
Ticket sales 12,000.00$
Total Income 62,000.00$
Expenses
Food 6,500.00$
beverages 1,750.00$
Misc 2,500.00$
Decoration 2,500.00$
Rentals 6,250.00$
Printing 2,500.00$
Entertainment 1,500.00$
Total Expenses 23,500.00$
Net Income 38,500.00$

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Board of
Directors
Event Chair
Donations
(Sponsors,
auction)
Decorations
and
Entertainment
Event
Logistics
PR/Marketing
Staff
THE DECISION TREE

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EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN…

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THE 100/0 RULE

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CELEBRATE!!!

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THE FUMBLE

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• Create a dated binder with sections for….
- Budget
• Quotes from all vendors
- Sponsors and key benefits
- List of auction items including purchase
price and donor information
- Major donors including table sponsors
• Attendee list
- Copies of all collaterals
YEAR OVER YEAR

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CASA DE AMPARO
CRYSTAL BALL

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FAILURE TO FINISH

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THE DEBRIEF
• What went well?
• What went wrong?
• Look at every detail of the budget
• Who is doing any “follow ups and throughs”?
- Potential board members
- Press outreach with final numbers
• What numbers to report?
• The “confidential” discussions
- How did the committee do?
- Are there changes that need to be made?

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ONE FINAL WARNING

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AN AUCTION PRIMER

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• Rule of thirds
- 150 guests = 50 items
- 1/3rd value = starting bid
• Rule of half
- 50% of your guests will actually bid
- Most items will go for 50% of their value
- No item should be less than 50% of ticket value
• Bundle, bundle, bundle
• No bundle – create an opportunity drawing for smaller
items
OBEY THE “RULES”