Presented at the American Pets Alive No-Kill Conference 2014.

1. FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Maximizing funds raised and efficiently planning
successful events

2. AGENDA
 Determining Your Goal
 Types of Fundraising Events
 Community Events
 Signature Events
 Event Essentials
 Revenue Streams
 Event Marketing
 Event Supplies
 Event Volunteers

3. DETERMINING YOUR EVENT GOAL
 What is the primary objective of your event?
 Adoption
 The number of animals placed in homes is most important
 Awareness
 Getting your name out there to a community who isn’t
connected to you yet is most important
 Fundraising
 Dollars raised to continue your efforts is most important

4. TYPES OF FUNDRAISING
EVENTS
 Community Events
 Planned by another organization or business
 Proceeds given to your organization
 Pros:
 Less planning involved (for you)
 Easy way to get started with events
 Wider reach
 Con:
 Less control over vision and logistics
 Could require a lot of micro-management if not streamlined

5. TYPES OF FUNDRAISING
EVENTS
 Signature Events
 Planned by your organization
 Pros:
 Full control over vision and logistics
 Support from friends of your organization
 Can be branded and recurring
 Will get bigger/better every year!
 Cons:
 Time intensive
 Monitor return on investment

6. ESTABLISHING YOUR
COMMUNITY EVENTS PROGRAM
 Determine what you can offer the host
 Marketing – quantify how many people you can reach
 Adoptable animals at the event (when feasible)
 Networking
 Utilize personal connections
 Ask business owners to be included in upcoming
events
 Research
 Identify businesses that have done fundraisers for
other groups
 Ex: Monthly charity happy hours, “Dine & Donate”
fundraisers at restaurants

7. COMMUNITY EVENTS: LOGISTICS
 Establish fundraising opportunities
 Donation jars, ticket sales, etc.
 Make suggestions as needed
 Determine your role day-of the event
 Bring adoptable animals?
 Tabling?
 Protect your group from any losses
 Create an agreement

8. STREAMLINING YOUR COMMUNITY
EVENTS PROGRAM
 Eliminating the “back and forth”
 Share a “Start Up Guide”
 Answer FAQ’s
 Most needed items
 Delegate responsibilities
 List what you can offer up front
 Include agreement
 Once agreement is signed
 Schedule marketing needs
 Follow up as event gets closer
 Set expectations before the day of the event!
 Trained Volunteers

9. EVENT VOLUNTEERS
 You can’t be at every event
 Create a team
 Key talking points
 Requesting donations
 Handling money
 Buddy system until volunteers comfortable solo
 Get feedback after event
 Separate dog handling volunteers

10. SIGNATURE EVENTS
 Establish clear vision and goal
 What will happen at the event?
 Plan activities to draw people in
 Food, drinks, music, games, prizes, etc.
 How many people do you want to attend?
 How much money do you want to raise?
 Evaluate return on investment
 Form a planning committee
 Delegate responsibilities
 Finding the “doers”

11. SIGNATURE EVENTS: LOGISTICS
 Timeline
 Location
 High traffic area
 Venue willing to donate space and/or help raise funds
 Date/Time
 Budget
 Keep expenses low, get supplies donated
 Marketing
 Media sponsorships
 Revenue streams

12. MAXIMIZING REVENUE STREAMS
 Ticket sales
 Merchandise
 Raffle
 Check state gambling laws
 Silent auction
 Cover charge or “suggested donation”
 Percentage of sales
 Pledges
 Sponsorships

13. EVENT MARKETING
 Flyers
 Website
 Social media
 Community event calendars
 Newspapers, community websites
 E-blast
 Volunteers, fosters, followers
 Word of mouth
 Encourage partners, volunteers to share event
 Media sponsors
 Previous attendees

14. AT YOUR EVENT
 Tabling
 Provide handouts, business cards, signage
 Donation jars – front and center
 Multiple at event if possible
 Talking points
 Succinct, clear points (elevator speech)
 Explain organization
 Key statistics, stories, examples
 Ex: how many lives your organization has saved,
heartwarming stories, etc.
 Ask directly for donations
 Every little bit help
 Examples of how money is spent
 Program

15. EVENT ESSENTIALS
 Folding table
 Banner or signage
 Pack an event bag
 Donation jars
 Handouts and business cards
 Sign-up sheets
 Photos
 Misc. pens, tape, scissors, etc.
 Laptop or iPad
 Outdoor pop-up tent
 Determine whether animals are appropriate

16. SUSTAINABILITY
 Choosing signature events
 Keep these high priority all year
 Recurring community events
 Find top events of the year, invite them back!
 Time management
 Ethics & guidelines
 Look at other groups and what they are doing
 BFAS
 Stewardship

17. Q&A