Yesterday on LinkedIn I shared the 'unusual' strategy we used for a 300-person fundraising event – along with a moment leading up to it that made me VERY nervous as a new director of development. Based on views, shares, and saves, I can tell it made people curious. You can check that out here (and add your thoughts!).

When I wrote it, I was thinking about the small fundraising shops in the trenches right now, prepping for their big annual gala. They are a LOT of work. And often the strategy, paired with the effort it takes to put one on well, equals lost time and not enough revenue to make them worth it.

"We may not raise much, but every dollar counts!"

"It's the only time we bring our community together every year."

"Our committee loves this event. We don't want to lose their support of our organization."

Sound familiar? These comments are what I hear most when I talk to organizations about making a change.

Four strategies that might help you think differently about events this year:

1. Focus on a single 'why'.

Do you want to raise money? Get to know donors better? Show gratitude? Attract potential supporters?

It's best to pick one.

When you try to accomplish everything with a single event – cultivation, stewardship, solicitation, volunteer recruitment, community visibility – you usually accomplish none of them particularly well.

Be clear on what you're doing and design the event (and invitation messaging) around that single purpose.

2. Big isn't always better.

The 'house party' model works at any scale. We did one with 300 people. But you could just as easily be successful with 20 or 50 guests.

Key elements: a donated residential space (and ideally donated food and beverage to keep costs low), hosts who've already invested financially in your organization and are willing to invite others to join them, a clear giving expectation set with guests upfront, and a direct 'ask' built into the program.

For non-fundraising events, smaller often carries a bigger punch. Behind-the-scenes tours with 8 people. Roundtable discussions with 12. Volunteer sessions reserved for donors who want to give more than money. This is where memorable conversations happen, and connections are deepened - to the mission and the people that make it happen.

I worked with a food bank that did tastings in their kitchen so donors could see what customers are receiving. A school that hosted butterfly release parties with students. Farm visits and tours. The best ideas are not manufactured, they're leveraging work you're already doing.

3. Get the right people in the room.

This is where most organizations go wrong. They invite everyone on the list because they don't want to seem exclusive or miss an opportunity.

But when you invite everyone to everything, your message gets muddled.

Be intentional. You're not wasting an opportunity by being selective – you're creating the conditions for the event to actually work.

4. Make (and follow) a post-event plan.

If someone showed up to your event, they're telling you they're interested. How will you continue the conversation after it's over?

For fundraising events: how are you following up with the people who gave? Who's reaching out to the people who came but didn't give? When does that happen?

For non-fundraising events: are you inviting them to meet one-on-one? Sending a personal note? Asking if they want to learn more?

The event is just the beginning.

Bottom line: you don't need a big, fancy gala to raise money. If you want to include events in your fundraising strategy, you DO need the right people in the room, a clear purpose, and a plan for what happens after they leave.

What event(s) are you planning this year? Hit reply – I'd love to hear what's on the calendar.