Nonprofit Events Should Be About More Than Large Checks

Fundraising events, like galas and balls, can be classy, enjoyable affairs that raise big bucks for larger nonprofits. However, given that most nonprofits are facing a larger demand on their resources, they’re more than ever under pressure to stage events that keep donors engaged well after the champagne buzz wears off, experts say.

Take the Cleveland Clinic—one of the region’s most prominent fundraisers—as an example. Gathering hundreds of people for a black-tie party or fancy dinner is as much as an educational opportunity as a charitable appeal, according to Michelle Amato, vice chair of the clinic’s philanthropy institute.