It is much more cost and time efficient to raise money through a major gifts fundraising effort than it is to conduct most events.  The amount of staff and volunteer time needed to conduct a successful event can drain time and effort from other more efficient ways of raising funds.

But if you are going to do an event.......make sure you:

·      support your strategic plan initiatives for friend and fund raising

·      have sufficient resources(staff and volunteers)

·      know and stick to its real purpose(s)

·     have board support

·      create a committee structure that divides sales from logistics

·      have a realistic budget

·      create a task timeline

·      assume Murphy's Law will be in full force

·      debrief the event thoroughly among staff, volunteers and

      supporters (guests and sponsors)

·      have a WOW factor!