The Impact Issue #37: How to Choose the Right Type of Fundraiser!

Hey there!

This week, we’re diving into the powerful world of fundraisers—and the difference it can make on your nonprofit.

We’ll cover:

• How to plan fundraisers effectively
• A tool that can take the guesswork out of event management
• Expert strategies for maximizing revenue to fund your organization

Welcome to The Impact!

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Data-Packed Insights

October, March, and September are the busiest months of the year for grant deadlines. Is this true for you?

We analyzed over 45,000 grants in the Instrumentl grant database between 2022 and 2023 and found six insights you need to know about for your year-round grant strategy.

Read the full report here to stay informed.

Let us know if you’d like to receive more Insight Reports like this by subscribing.

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Pitfalls and Pointers

Anyone who’s ever planned a fundraiser knows they don’t just happen overnight.

With countless hours spent covering every last detail, you want to make sure that your efforts actually pay off.

⚠️ Pitfall: Choosing the Wrong Type of Event for Your Audience

If you aren’t getting the ROI on your fundraisers that you’d hoped, perhaps you’re choosing the wrong type of event entirely.

This could be because:

• You’re a new organization and don’t quite know your donor base yet
• You’re just chasing the latest trends without a clear strategy
• You’re simply doing what your organization has always done
• You’re rushing to plan your event last minute each year

Whatever the reason, it’s important to acknowledge that not all fundraisers resonate with all donors. If you fail to consider your audience’s desires and expectations, your event will probably fall short of its goals.

💡 Pointer: Analyze Your Goals, Budget, and Data to Determine the Best-Fit Fundraiser

Planning a fundraiser is a little like choosing what grant to apply for. You need to make sure you’re making an informed decision.

Here’s how:

• Outline Your Goals: How much money are you hoping to raise? How many donors do you want to engage? Having clear and concrete goals from the start can help you determine the best fit.
• Determine Your Budget: You may need to downgrade your plans to ensure you can afford the fundraiser. Not all events—especially galas—have the best ROI. Only spend more if you’re confident you can net more.
• Review Your Donor Data: You’ve got rich metrics available, so use them! Analyze your past event attendance. Are there patterns? Leverage the data to make an informed decision.

Need some inspiration?

👉 Check out four popular kinds of fundraisers and the pros and cons of each ➜

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Tech You Should Know

What: Zeffy is a powerful event management software that offers free tools for nonprofits.

How Nonprofits Can Use It:

• Create customizable event registration forms to capture your organization’s branding and information that’s meaningful to you.
• Sell tickets online—physical printed tickets are a thing of the past! You can even offer early bird prices and discount codes to prompt event registration.
• Communicate with attendees through automated event reminders, follow-up emails, and event updates at any time to your participants list.
• Recruit volunteers by creating and posting volunteer opportunities for your event.

Keep in Mind:

• Unlike other event management software, Zeffy does not charge nonprofits for its use. It’s funded by voluntary contributions from donors during transactions.
• The platform can handle all different types of fundraising capabilities, including donations, online shopping, raffles, auctions, peer-to-peer fundraising, and memberships.

🌟 Check out all that Zeffy has to offer ➜

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The Latest Numbers

Network for Good, Giving Tuesday, and Candid came together to explore individual and institutional giving trends across the United States between 2015 and 2022. Their report, Dollars and Change, revealed key findings about the distribution and utilization of charitable resources.

Here are some of the most relevant takeaways:

• A large proportion of charitable giving comes from a small group of big donors/grantmakers. On average, 0.3% of individual donors gave more than $50,000 in one year, yet their contributions represented 45% of total donations given.‍
• Education is losing its stronghold on funding, particularly among institutional grantmakers. It remains one of the top areas funded along with health, human services, and public/societal benefit. However, the amount given to education initiatives is becoming more equitably distributed among the four top areas in recent years.
• ‍Pay attention to the economy…from the last year. Institutional grantmakers often plan at least a year ahead. Their actions for the current year are influenced by last year’s finances. If it was a tough year, you can expect more conservative charitable giving.‍
• Household income matters. States that have higher household incomes tend to get more funder dollars. The higher the poverty rate, the less charitable giving a state received.

📊 Read the full report for more detailed insights ➜

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Opportunities Spotlight

✨ Enterprise Holdings Foundation Grant

Who It’s For: Nonprofits working to empower individuals to better themselves and their communities.

Next Deadline: January 2, 2025

Grant Amount: Varies

The Details: Enterprise Holdings Foundation Grants help advance economic and workforce development initiatives; college and career readiness; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and key health and human services needs. Preference is given to St. Louis, Missouri-based nonprofits, but they give across the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and Spain.

✅ Apply Here ➜

🏠 AARP Community Challenge 2025

Who It’s For: Nonprofits and government agencies working on short-term, impactful community projects

Next Deadline: March 6, 2025

Grant Amount: $500-$50,000 (average $11,900)

The Details: The AARP Community Challenge supports initiatives that make communities more livable. While they may benefit all ages, AARP focuses its efforts on projects serving those 50 years or older and considers projects related to transportation, housing, and public spaces.

✅ Apply Here ➜

🔍 This is just a small taste—explore thousands of additional grant opportunities now ➜

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Networking Nook

💻 Webinar: Tackling the Submission Maze: Expert Tips for Online Grant Applications

Thursday, December 12th | 12 p.m. ET

Unlock the secrets of online grant applications with this webinar hosted by the Grant Professionals Association. You’ll learn how to navigate complex portals, format applications for tiny text boxes, and more.

Don’t miss out!

👉 Register Now ➜

To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.

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In Case You Missed It

📼 Video: How to Find Private Grant Opportunities

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to finding private grant opportunities, check out this quick video. You’ll get a clear breakdown of how to locate them in minutes.

👉 Watch the Clip ➜

📼 Video: Grant Success Secrets: How 3 Nonprofits Turned the Tide

Many nonprofits struggle with low success rates, disjointed strategies, and a lack of support. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Three nonprofits share their secrets on how they started to win more grants. 

👉 Watch the Seminar ➜

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Win More Funding

Use Instrumentl to explore good-fit funders, track interactions, and land more grants.

Sign up for your free, 14-day trial today to get started! 

👉 Start Your Free Trial Today ➜