Events

Two weeks ago, Matt Jenkins began running barefoot up the coast of North Carolina to raise awareness about nonprofit organizations hit hard by state budget cuts. He plans to run a total of 760 miles by the end of his journey.

Jenkins works for the Western Youth Network, which has lost $200,000 worth of funding from the state government this year. His goal is to raise $20,000.

So with all these great, new outreach and engagement tools at its disposal, how can your organization harness this still-new medium to empower constituents on your behalf? There are many strategies and 
initiatives already playing out all over the fundraising sector — with plenty more new and unforeseen ideas still to come. Here, FundRaising Success highlights some creative and successful ways organizations are using social media to raise awareness and funds.

The Robin Hood Foundation annual gala in May showed that aggressive fundraising could trump the recession, as the poverty-fighting nonprofit raised more than $88 million at a dinner attended by 3,400 people at the Javits Center. This year’s galas have seen the return of filet of beef and lobster on menus after those pricey items were virtually banned by many nonprofits in 2009. Deep-pocket bidders also are returning to silent and live auctions after a dearth of bids of over $50,000 for celebrity experiences and luxury items.

Fundraising events can be extremely valuable sources of revenue and awareness for any nonprofit organization. However, there is a lot more to successfully pulling one off than mobilizing a few volunteers and getting participants to encourage pledge donations to walk (or run or swim or bike, etc.). In a webinar presented by nonprofit technology solutions provider Convio, 5 Best Practices for Event Fundraising: Proven Success Strategies of the Top Run-Walk-Ride Events, James Young, senior open strategy manager of Convio, and Jeff Shuck, president and CEO of event fundraising consultants Event 360, discussed the important aspects of executing successful fundraising events.

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2010—Hundreds of children's literacy supporters attended Reading Is Fundamental's Gift of Reading Gala on May 26th at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington. For more than 43 years, RIF has helped children discover the joy of reading by bringing books to life. This year's event raised more than $410,000 to benefit children's literacy programs nationwide.

The gala brought together distinguished policymakers, as well as corporate and community leaders who share RIF's vision of a literate America. Award-winning host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, Liane Hansen, was master of ceremonies at the gala. During the ceremony, stories from RIF alumni demonstrated the power that being able to choose a new book can have on children.

The popularity of social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube has given rise to promising new ways for event participants to raise money online for nonprofits. While some industry observers doubt the fundraising potential of these platforms, participants in special events continue to be an exception and have shown strong success by tapping in to the power of social networking.

Back in 2008, many Americans got their first taste of social networking for good through the Web site mybarack
obama.com (or "MyBO" as it came to be known). The site engaged Barack Obama supporters online with a goal of inspiring action offline — attending events, canvassing, phone banking and, of course, donating.

SAN FRANCISCO, November 20, 2009 — The Nonprofit and Golf industries, both rocked by the economy, have joined forces in a unique partnership incorporating charitable donations into online tee time bookings through a new website, http://www.TeeTimes4Charity.com, it was announced today by Steven Schwartz, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GoodPlay Media LLC. GoodPlay Media, the developer of TeeTimes4Charity.com, is a San Francisco Area-based company focused on delivering innovative media solutions that support charitable causes.

There are myriad ways to raise funds for your cause. One of the most popular is through a live or silent auction. However, fundraising auctions run the gamut from wildly successful to terribly ineffective.

Fulton, Mo., October 26, 2009, Los Angeles Times — One group started walking on Oct. 18 from Cal State Long Beach. The other set out a week earlier from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.