Reference Guide for Special Events Fundraisers

The Foundation Center has many resources to assist you in the planning and implementation of successful promotional and fundraising special events. Some of the topics covered in these books and periodicals include auctions, charity balls, phone-a-thons, walk-a-thons, raffles, and many other fundraising and promotional vehicles.

Web Resources

Fund-raising.com (http://www.fund-raising.com) offers many event ideas, answers to frequently-asked questions, and links to other fundraising information resources.

The Canadian Heritage site has posted an extensive Guide to Special Events Fundraising by Ken Wyman.

Books

Allen, Judy. Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives, and Other Special Events. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 2000. A comprehensive textbook about all aspects of special events. Includes sample worksheets.

Axelrod, Terry. Raising More Money: The Ask Event Handbook. Seattle, WA: Raising More Money Publications, 2004. Numerous templates and sample forms are provided for the various stages of planning and implementing a fundraising event. Also gives advice for leveraging the success of the event after it's over.

Freedman, Harry A. and Karen Feldman. Black Tie Optional: The Complete Special Events Resource for Nonprofit Organizations. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2007. Focuses on planning and managing special events, from sidewalk sales to tennis tournaments, celebrity concerts or cruises. Includes planning tools and worksheets, as well as chapters on promotion, food issues, and working with celebrities.

Goldstein, Lauren. The Special Events Toolbox: A Nuts-and-bolts Guide to Planning and Implementing Successful Special Events Campaigns for Nonprofit Organizations. New York, NY: Cause Effective, Inc. 2004. Includes many worksheets and sample forms for the multiple stages of planning and implementing special events.

Reiss, Alvin H. CPR for Nonprofits: Creative Strategies for Successful Fundraising, Marketing, Communications, and Management. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000. Presents case studies that offer accessible, adaptable strategies for dealing with a broad range of nonprofit concerns, and includes a chapter on special events.

Stallings, Betty and Donna McMillion. How to Produce Fabulous Fundraising Events: Reap Remarkable Returns with Minimal Effort. Pleasanton, CA: Building Better Skills, 1999. Provides advice about choosing the right special event, selecting volunteers, planning, publicizing, and evaluating the event. Also contains a how-to guide for planning and managing a dinner event.

Ukman, Lesa (ed.) IEG SPponsorship Sourcebook: The Comprehensive Guide to Sponsors, Properties, Agencies and Suppliers. 2004 ed. Chicago, IL: IEG Inc., annual. Compiled for the benefit of corporations looking for sponsorship opportunities, the IEG Sponsorship Sourcebook can also be helpful for nonprofits seeking sponsors for their events.

Wendroff, Alan L. Special Events: Proven Strategies for Nonprofit Fund Raising. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2004. Provides a strategy for conducting special events, using the Master Event Timetable (METT) as a guide.

Periodical Articles

Boice, Jacklyn P. "Star Light, Star Bright: How to Make Your Special Event Truly Memorable." Advancing Philanthropy 12 (July-August 2005) p. 12-16.

Causer, Craig, Jeff Jones, and Matthew Sinclair. "Fundraising Ideas That Work." Nonprofit Times 17 (1 March 2003) p. 25-8. Provides examples of successful local fundraising events, including a theatrical production, a garage sale, and a camping trip. Also available online at: http://www.nptimes.com/Mar03/sr1.html.

Dickey, Marilyn. "Adventures in Joint Fund Raising." Chronicle of Philanthropy 11 (March 11, 1999): 25-27. Discusses the trend of nonprofits collaborating their fundraising activities with other nonprofits to increase exposure and donors.

Lewis, Nicole. "Marking Charity Milestones: Anniversary Celebrations Can Draw Attention and Dollars." Chronicle of Philanthropy 18 (January 12, 2006) p. 29-31.

Klein, Kim. "The Correct Use of Special Events." Grassroots Fundraising Journal 18 (February 1999): 9-10. Reviews reasons for conducting a special event and recommends completion of three preliminary tasks to ensure success.

Pope, Tom. "Unusual Fundraising Can Bring New Donors." Nonprofit Times Direct Response Fundraising Edition 18 (15 June 2004) p. 1, 4, 6. Describes some uncommon fundraising ideas, ranging from benefits that involved hair cuts to campaigns that entailed pig-kissing. Also available online at: http://www.nptimes.com/dme/Jun04/dme_1.html.

Steinert, Moli and Donna Canali. "Pledge-Raising Events: Making Your Effort Count in Dollars." Grassroots Fundraising Journal 21 (November-December 2002) p. 12-16. Walkathons and running events are examples of pledge-raising occasions. This article explains how to determine if your organization is appropriate for such a project, and if so, how to organize the event and develop promotional materials. Several successful examples are given.

For other articles and books on special events, check under the subject heading "Fundraising--special events" in the Catalog of Nonprofit Literature.