Minneapolis Foundation turns 100, throws a party | Star Tribune

Minneapolis Foundation turns 100, throws a party | Star Tribune: "Now the Minneapolis Foundation is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking its place in history as one of the world’s oldest community foundations.

On Monday, the foundation kicked off the first of several events scheduled to showcase its support for anti-poverty initiatives, the arts, health care and more. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges was on hand at a news conference to declare “Minneapolis Foundation Century Day,” speaking alongside an art project commissioned in the IDS Center courtyard depicting the Minneapolis of the future."



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Biking for the needy: Nyack charity raises $1 million

Biking for the needy: Nyack charity raises $1 million: "Atlanta?

To some, the question is completely absurd. To Kaete Nazaroff, it's the question that has driven her and an army of online followers to raise more than $1 million, bring much-needed medical supplies to needy children and offer comfort and support to dozens of families across the country.

And her Nyack-based charity, Ride to Give, is still in its second year."



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Nonprofits replace humdrum charity 5Ks with rappelling | TribLIVE

Nonprofits replace humdrum charity 5Ks with rappelling | TribLIVE: "Forget the humdrum 5K race for charity. Nonprofits increasingly are capitalizing on thrills, publicity and donations generated by getting several dozen volunteers to rappel down high-rise buildings across North America."



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Crash Course on Charity Auctions

massnonprofit.org ::: While auctions might not bring in the dollars that they did before the recession hit, many nonprofits find they remain a viable event for increasing coffers and cementing relationships with donors and the general community.

However, far too many organizations plan an auction without asking themselves three essential questions.

Do we have enough time to prepare? The absolute minimum is nine months; a year is better.
Can we recruit sufficient volunteers? You’ll need dozens, even for a small auction.
Does an auction make sense for us? That depends on your answers to the preceding questions, the Rolodexes of your board, and the health of the economy in your area.

Who Owns Your Event? A Stinky Cautionary Tale - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Who Owns Your Event? A Stinky Cautionary Tale - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Special Events: Bigger Proves To Be Better | The NonProfit Times

Special Events: Bigger Proves To Be Better | The NonProfit Times: Special Events: Bigger Proves To Be Better
By The NonProfit Times - March 15, 2013

Revenue from fundraising events by the nation’s 100 largest organizations exceeded $1 billion during 2011 with just five organizations walking — or running — away with the largest hauls.

According to data compiled for the NPT 100, the annual ranking of the nation’s largest nonprofits (see Nov. 1 issue), 22 of the nearly 40 organizations that listed revenue under fundraising events on the federal Form 990 saw an increase from 2010 to 2011.

It’s Party Time! | Michael Rosen Says…

It’s Party Time! | Michael Rosen Says…: I’m conflicted about nonprofit special events.

On the one hand, organizations are often fuzzy about the objectives behind a special event. Staff is often not quite sure if the event is to raise money and, if so, how much? Or, is the event to attract media attention? Is it to build new relationships? You get the idea. Also, events require a great deal of effort, often for only a modest monetary return even if the objective was specifically to bring in the dollars.

91st Charity Ball to feature different look

91st Charity Ball to feature different look: he 91st annual Charity Ball has found another home, hired an 11-piece orchestra and is being chaired by a couple who never attended the ball before.

This isn’t your mother’s — or your grandmother’s — Charity Ball.

Capturing The Crowd The NonProfit Times February1, 2011

Deferred Compensation Why is it taxable now? - The NonProfit Times February1, 2011: "Planning fundraising events can take months of preparation, and once the big day comes together it's only natural for everyone to breathe a collective sigh of relief. However, kicking back and enjoying the party instead of engaging attendees during and after the event can cost your organization time and money.

A panel of nonprofit executives shared their successful tips for 'Capturing the Crowd' at events and capitalizing on attendees, even if they are unfamiliar with your charity, during Fundraising Day in New York, sponsored by the Greater New York chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

Ideas That Work: Analyzing the Value of Special Events - Fundraising Well

Ideas That Work: Analyzing the Value of Special Events - Fundraising Well: "We have all had the experience of being in a meeting or having a discussion around a conference table when a well-meaning volunteer or board member suggests holding a new event to raise funds. The suggestion is usually prefaced with 'I went to...,' or 'The nonprofit down the street had success with...' and is usually followed by 'I think we should try it.'

Before agreeing, you need to consider whether your organization needs or can afford another special event. Special events have a place in every fundraising program. But nonprofits must evaluate the goals and objectives of each event to determine its value."

Tighter budgets: Nonprofits are scaling back their fundraising events | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal

Tighter budgets: Nonprofits are scaling back their fundraising events | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal: "In trim economic times, the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is not the only Mid-Valley nonprofit organization scaling back or adjusting event-planning. The local Red Cross chapter stepped down its black-tie gala to a murder-mystery dinner. Instead of hiring for services, more nonprofit volunteers are adding 'sweat equity,' contributing anything from bartending credentials to photography skills."

A gala to remember | Napa Valley Register

A gala to remember | Napa Valley Register: "A sell-out crowd of 500 packed Chardonnay Hall at the Napa Valley Expo on Dec. 4 for the first annual Let’s Pretend event to benefit the Napa Valley Coalition of Nonprofit Agencies.
“We’re thrilled with the turnout,” said Peggy Klick, Coalition board chair and program director for the Tobacco Education and Quit Smoking Program. “It was an evening to celebrate nonprofits and put aside our worries and concerns.”"

Charity chic: happy hour for a good cause - Living - MiamiHerald.com

Charity chic: happy hour for a good cause - Living - MiamiHerald.com: "Happy hour events have been popping up all over South Florida in the past few months. They vary from venue to venue in cost and scale and how much they donate to nonprofits. And while they're clearly not as lucrative as large-scale fundraising, some organizers say they're becoming an inevitable, even helpful, part of raising money and awareness."

Climbing stairs for charity to replace 'rubber chicken' dinners? | Brand X | Los Angeles Times

Climbing stairs for charity to replace 'rubber chicken' dinners? | Brand X | Los Angeles Times: "The better alternative, Ring said, is the YMCA's annual Stair Climb to the Top fundraiser, which took place Friday afternoon.

This year's event attracted about 2,000 fitness-conscious folks from Los Angeles and others flying in specifically for the fundraiser."

Struggling charities shove the fancy galas aside - TwinCities.com

Struggling charities shove the fancy galas aside - TwinCities.com: "Charities everywhere are scrambling. Giving nationwide dropped from $314 billion in 2007 to $307 billion in 2008, even as demand for services increased, according to the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Of 124 special fundraising events held by local organizations in the first quarter of this year, 40 percent suffered a drop in revenue, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits reported."

Fewer festival-goers, but more generous - Bangor Daily News

Fewer festival-goers, but more generous - Bangor Daily News: "Despite the drop in attendance, McCarthy reported a total of about $105,000 donated to the Bucket Brigade. The total broke the record of $98,400 set last year.

McCarthy said she heard from some festival-goers that they had given an extra donation because they assumed the take from Saturday would be low."

Charitable giving goes layaway route | ajc.com

Charitable giving goes layaway route | ajc.com: "But in these financially unfabulous times, organizers are bending a bit. For the first time, fashionistas can buy tickets — $500 for general admission or up to $10,000 for 10 VIP patron billets — on an installment plan.

That’s right. Atlanta society has embraced layaway."

The Fundraising Event: Is Now The Time? | eJewish Philanthropy: The Jewish Philanthropy Blog

The Fundraising Event: Is Now The Time? | eJewish Philanthropy: The Jewish Philanthropy Blog: "Is now the time to plan for the major fundraising event?

Major organizations often plan for an annual or bi-annual dinner event. Others have an activity that brings people together and garners both financial support and identification with the organization. The question is whether these events are appropriate today, and if they will yield the desired results? If they are not, then what should be done to achieve the same results for the agency because the financial needs have not been reduced, and in all likelihood they have increased given the present recession?"

Samsung’s ‘Hope’ Gala Raises $1M For Charities - 6/17/2009 8:13:00 AM - TWICE

Samsung’s ‘Hope’ Gala Raises $1M For Charities - 6/17/2009 8:13:00 AM - TWICE: "Samsung’s ‘Hope’ Gala Raises $1M For Charities
-- TWICE, 6/17/2009 8:13:00 AM

New York — Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, a charitable endeavor benefiting children and families, held its eighth annual celebrity gala last night at Cipriani Wall Street."

Charities’ A-list events still a draw - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

Charities’ A-list events still a draw - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:: "Whether it’s a gala to support the Milwaukee Ballet or the Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee’s nonprofit community is still drawing crowds to A-list charity events."