Creative Solutions & Innovations, Inc. Creative Solutions & Innovations, Inc.
Creative Solutions & Innovations, Inc.
  • Welcome
  • CS&I Blog
  • About
  • Shared Resources
  • Contact
  • Welcome
  • CS&I Blog
  • About
  • Shared Resources
  • Contact
The Rule of One – Planning Al Gore Event
In Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Year End Reflection on Special Events

December 28, 2009 Leave a Comment Written by admin

I’m often asked if it is smart to hold special events during challenging times.

My response – Absolutely!

Special events bring attention to your mission and help generate publicity for your nonprofit. They are an excellent  fundraising tool, as they encourage donors and sponsors. And, special events are great for engaging your leadership and volunteers.

Special events have been the mainstay of successful fundraising since the Civil War. The Ladies Soldier’s Aid Society of Kalamazoo raised $9,618 for wounded and sick soldiers at a four-day special event at the Kalamazoo Sanitary Fair in 1864. (Orosz, 1997)

The first known American Red Cross fundraiser was a play produced by six children in Waterford, Pennsylvania in 1884 to aid flood victims. The organization’s fundraising focus changed virtually overnight in 1917 when President Woodrow Wilson created the Red Cross War Council. A series of special events including bazaars, block dances and “Kick the Kaiser” parties raised $115 million.

Birthday ball for the president

During the Great Depression, the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, started raising money with an annual “President’s Birthday Ball.” The balls were held every January on Roosevelt’s birthday. The balls were so successful that in 1938 they were merged into the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, later renamed the March of Dimes. (March of Dimes website)

As 2009 closes and we look towards 2010, I offer these “Special Events” Resolutions to you and your organizations:

  • We will host at least two special events in 2010
  • The events will be integrated into our development plan.
  • We will start our planning early with brainstorming sessions that engage our board members.
  • We will invite new people to the table and think “Outside the Box.”
  • We will stay true to our mission and focused on our goals when we plan special events.

My best to you and your family for a healthy, creative 2010.

Nonprofit Event Planning
civil war, history special events, planning, strategy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Comments

  • 3 Lessons for Kenyan Activists from Irungu Houghton – Hisani Ideas on Learning 5 Indicators of Social Change
  • BAPPY on Why I love local newspapers
  • Creative Solutions Innovations Inc. | Atlanta GA | Blog | Do you really - really know your audience? - on Using The POST Method to Guide Nonprofit Marketing Communications
  • Creative Solutions Innovations Inc. | Atlanta GA | Blog | Social Change Communication on Learning 5 Indicators of Social Change
  • Creative Solutions Innovations Inc. | Atlanta GA | Blog | How Mobile Marketing is Changing the Way We Raise Funds on Add marketing strategy into your nonprofit strategic planning

Categories

  • Deborah's Musings
  • Nonprofit Communication
  • Nonprofit Consulting
  • Nonprofit Event Planning
  • Nonprofit Fundraising
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Nonprofit Strategic Marketing
  • Social Change Communication
  • Social Media

© Creative Solutions & Innovations, Inc. All rights reserved. •  Powered by WordPress