A well planned gala or fundraiser can mean the difference when it comes to the future of your non-profit organization. Before planning your next non-profit event, read 583 Park Avenue’s “5 Thoughts for Planning a Non-Profit Gala”:

Choosing Your Target Audience

As you start planning your event, your first major consideration should be building a guest list. Having a preliminary guest list in place will not only help to determine the size and location of the event, but the overarching theme. Is the event going to be a thank you to volunteers? Are you giving thanks to a donor for an especially generous donation? Is the event going to be open to the public?

Deciding on a target audience as early as possible will make planning the event easier from start to finish. Not only will you be able to plan venue size, menus, parking and accommodations, but you will also be able to tailor your event to a theme that will really get your guests’ attentions.

Getting The Word Out About Your Non-Profit Gala

The current trend in promoting Nonprofits is to send out all invitations online. Email, Facebook and Twitter have largely replaced old-fashioned mailings and phone calls.

While it is important for your nonprofit to embrace technology, in this case it would be a mistake to leave old-fashioned invitations behind. Especially when it comes to your top donors or volunteers, a paper invitation holds an heir of importance that email invitations and Facebook events never will.

In addition to your invited guests, it may be appropriate to alert the media of the event and any honorees or celebrities that may be attending. Many local media outlets may be willing donate space on their websites for you to advertise. They may even want to cover your event in a story or blog post. Sending out a professional press release a few weeks in advance will make a huge impact on the amount of publicity that your event receives.

The Best Time to Host a Nonprofit Gala

Choosing the perfect date for a Nonprofit Gala can be a little tricky. Many feel that the best time to host a fundraiser is during the holiday season, as donors tend to be in a giving mood. On the other hand, the holiday season can be very busy and you never want your event to get lost in the shuffle.

Truth be told, the best time to schedule an event is “far into the future.” Give yourself plenty of time to get organized after choosing a venue and be sure to send out your “save the dates” months in advanced. Top donors are in-demand and balancing very busy schedules. It would be a shame for your biggest donor to miss your event because of a conflict. Plan very far ahead and rest assured that all of your guests will be available to attend.

Choosing The Right Entertainment

Are your guests older donors who may enjoy an evening of dinner and a show, or are they young volunteers excited for a dance party? Cater to your crowd and be sure to leave your personal preferences out of it. If your crowd is mixed, your best bet is to cater to the younger guests and keep the dining tables as far from the dance floor as possible.

If at all possible, connect the event’s entertainment with the cause. For example, if you are raising money for a school, you could have the school’s choir perform. While you may not be able to look to your beneficiaries to provide the bulk of the night’s entertainment, even a brief performance can make a large impact.

Connecting with Your Guests

While an evening out at a venue like 583 Park Avenue is a great way to say thank you to your volunteers and inspire your donors, this event is just one piece of your fundraising puzzle. Before your guests leave for the night, be sure to get some kind of commitment that they will continue to support your organization moving forward.

If the event is a fundraiser, this commitment could come in the form of a donation, but it doesn’t have to. It could be pledging to volunteer or something as simple as joining your mailing list. If all goes as planned, at the end of the evening your guests will be so excited about your organization they will be eager to know how they can help. Don’t let this opportunity slip away with a simple goodnight.

Contact Us today for details about hosting your next Gala or Corporate Event at 583 Park Avenue. One of our event coordinators will contact you shortly.