Ted Geier, long time WIBO volunteer and now our Executive Director, penned an article on how to properly do an anniversary year fundraising campaign.
Your organization is approaching a major anniversary year. It’s time to celebrate! Your team may be eager to pick a cool gala venue and start planning a menu. But you will likely get better results if, as with many other things in life, you take the time to do some careful planning and define desired outcomes before racing ahead to the fun parts.
Nonprofit organization anniversary activities often lose money, alienate participants, and reflect poorly on the organization. Sometimes they can even destroy an organization. Really!
Done right, however, they can generate excitement and contribute to organizational development in every area — directly and indirectly raising funds, enlisting new supporters, recognizing stakeholders, and enhancing visibility and programs.
What follows is a no-frills, no anecdotes, step-by-step approach to planning and managing a successful anniversary development campaign for your cause.