How to Stop Doing Your Gala With an Event That Raises More and Costs Nothing
From Nonprofit CourageLab · 42:24
Show by Julie Ordoñez
This is for the CEO who is EXHAUSTED. You are doing everything. You plan and execute the gala with a team of - you, yourself and you. Sure, there are committee members, but sometimes it feels more like you’re working for them than they’re helping you.Deep inside you know — you’re going to sunset the gala. You don’t wanna chase corporate sponsors, hawk tickets, and spend months planning an event, only to net $200k.There’s just one problem: You can’t afford to lose the revenue.Sunsetting the gala feels like a pipe dream because you need that $200k.What if you could replace your gala with an event that costs your nonprofit NOTHING, requires no planning on your part, and actually raises MORE money?I’m not talking about another “innovative” fundraising event that adds more work to your plate.I’m talking about The Events That Don’t Suck Method: intimate, donor-hosted gatherings. They do the planning, pay for everything, invite their networks, and YOU get to show up and build relationships with people who actually want to give to your mission.This is especially great for nonprofits with one or two board members eager to help with fundraising, they just need the tools. And maybe for *you* to make the ask.In this episode of Nonprofit CourageLab, I’m sharing how my clients have done exactly that, including:Dan, a solo nonprofit CEO who replaced a gala that raised $50k and took 6 months to plan with a donor-hosted gathering that raised $60K on a random Thursday night. At zero cost and no extra planning.Cara, a solo ED with no fundraising staff, whose donors hosted an event that raised $273,000 in ONE NIGHT and brought in 18 new donors making three-year commitments.Ready to ditch the gala and start raising more unrestricted revenue? If you’re an ED of an $800K and you’re past the point of tired, and you want a real strategy you can do in 40 minutes a day to raise 6 figures in the next 6 months, DM me “CL” on LinkedIn.Plus, I’m breaking down:The 4 steps to get your board on board with ditching the galaHow to create a new donor pipeline year-round at zero-costWhy you don’t need another ballroom full of people who you’ll never see againWhat strategy the most resilient and financially strong nonprofits prioritizeHow to raise more money for operationsThe mindset shift you need to raise more money without adding more to your plateYour mission is worthy of millions without selling a single auction item, sponsorship, or ticket.You don’t need to work harder to raise more money. You need a different strategy. And maybe a little more guts.Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training.If you’re an ED or DD of a $1M+ making a difference in your community and you’re ready to make bigger, bolder asks, then DM me “CL” on LinkedIn and I’ll share details.
More episodes of Nonprofit CourageLab
More episodes
- Ask Julie: Gala Burnout, $240k Lost Donor, Famous and Broke
- This CEO raised $592,000 in 6 months without a gala
- Stop Expecting to Raise $250K Gifts When Everyone Around You Is Raising $5K
- Ask Julie: How Do I Get New Donors Every Month
- These EDs Raise $100K a Month in Major Gifts Without a Gala (Even in Summer)
- Why Raising An Extra $300K Is So Hard
- Ask Julie: How to Ask for a Major Gift Without Damaging Donor Relationships
- Your Strategy Is Keeping Your Revenue Too Small
- How to Ask for More & Raise Major Gifts
- Courage Is the Catalyst
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