Chapter 25: Planning Events with Purpose
Well-designed special events are valuable for organizations and can strengthen community awareness and philanthropic support for the mission. This chapter shows how events can be flexible, creative opportunities serving numerous purposes including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Strong events are aligned with organizational missions, responsive to the larger environment and current conditions, inclusive of constituents and stakeholders, and closely managed and reviewed for effectiveness. They can provide multiple ways for donors and volunteers to be involved through peer-to-peer events, event planning committees, and onsite (or online) on event day. Staff throughout the organization may also participate, resulting in benefits for the team and culture of philanthropy. While significant work and planning is required, if done properly events can serve important purposes throughout the fundraising cycle and as one component of a comprehensive development program.
Roberta L. Donahue
Roberta L. Donahue, M.B.A., CFRE, CFRM, has over 25 years in fundraising and has accumulated a wide variety of experiences in institutional advancement. In addition to serving as a faculty member of The Fund Raising School, she is currently a fundraising and management consultant. Ms. Donahue received her B.A. from Marian University in Indianapolis and her M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
Caitlin Deranek Stewart
Caitlin Deranek Stewart, M.A., M.P.A., CFRE, is a Major Gift Officer at Indiana University School of Medicine focused on scholarships, women’s health, and fighting blindness, among other priorities. Caitie is passionate about health equity and access to high-quality healthcare and believes that philanthropy creates innovation to improve the world. When not fundraising, Caitie is a professional musician across the Midwest, a private voice and piano teacher, and proud mom to two children.