Episode 53: Why Your Fundraising Event ISN’T Generating 6-Figures!

Year after year, you recruit volunteers, plan the party, rent the venue, send the invites, but for some reason you only seem to break even or come slightly under that goal of hosting a 6-figure fundraising event. What went wrong? Where did you fall short?

Like me, many of you are members of fundraising groups on Facebook. I think I’m a member of 5 or 6 for sure. And, I’ve noticed a theme in the kinds of questions being posted to the groups in regards to fundraising. This prompted me to create this episode to help YOU hear first hand what it takes to host a 6-figure event.

PREVIEW

If your new to hosting events be sure to check out my FREE mini checklist on how to create a pipeline of new donors for your next big fundraising event. I give you some ideas on where to host mini events. If you haven’t already grabbed it, the link will be provided below.

SIMPLE BUT NOT EASY

If I know you! I know you did everything I just mentioned and likely you did a ton more.

I want you to know that hosting a 6-figure fundraising event is simpler than you think. Notice I didn’t say easier so let’s be clear about that. And for the next 30 minutes or so, I’m going to dive into three things you need to be doing in order to break that 6-figure ceiling.

Here’s the good news, these things are economy proof, doesn’t matter what season you’re in, these three things work for getting consistent revenue at your annual fundraising event.

Now, many of you know who I am and that’s why you tune in but for some of you, I’m new. For the newbies, I’m Lisa Clark and I’ve been raising money through fundraising events for over 20 years. Not only that, I’ve taught nonprofits how to host their very own 6-figure and high 6-figure fundraising events.

So, I’m very excited about what I’m about to share with you right now. I want to help you break that darn ceiling!

Step #1: Fundraising.

This means you need to be focusing on revenue generation. I mean really focus and have a strategic fundraising plan for your event in order to reach those fundraising goals. Really, Lisa?!? I know you think that’s obvious but if you’re not reaching that 6-figure goal then you aren’t focused ENOUGH on the fundraising. You’re likely too busy planning the party.

Now, I’m not sure if you have money blocks or think that simply because you sent out a few emails asking for donations for your event that the funds will appear. I’m not sure if you think because you’re raising revenue on ticket sales the funds will come in. But, I’m here to tell you that while you are focused on the party, money is changing hands all over the world for those who are doing their part to ask for it beyond just a few email invites, a few underwriting letters. There are 4 reasons the money isn’t coming your way:

1) You’re not asking in ALL the ways you can ask for it. Not enough revenue generators.
2) You aren’t presenting the right offer to the right people, the right donors.
3) You aren’t asking ENOUGH people. You are making some money cause you are asking some people but not enough people. If your issue is you don’t have enough people to ask, then stick around cause I’m going to get into how you can change that up. (pipeline events that lead to larger event)
4) You’re simply not asking for more; hence, leaving money on the table as we like to say in the fundraising world.

So, if I was to sit with you and if I was working on your event with YOU the first thing I would ask you is “What’s your fundraising plan, your fundraising strategy” for this event and the next question I would ask you is “How many revenue generators do you have for this event?”

Cause here’s the thing, let’s say you charge $50 per person for your event. That means you would need to sell 2,000 tickets in order to reach your goal of $100K. That’s ridiculous. If you truly want to reach $100k at your event, you are going to have to ask for more per ticket. $100