Giving Compass' Take:

• The authors describe how nonprofit organizations can show more about their mission and messaging through strategically planning events for donors.

• How can nonprofit events impact fundraising and improve relationships with foundations?

• Read about focused nonprofit mission statements.

Many nonprofits and foundations are starting to think about where they might host meetings and conferences.  Such gatherings send important signals to current and potential supporters and collaborators about what your organization values and what its priorities are. If you want your gathering to serve as an extension of your organization’s identity, your planning must go beyond the basics of venue and catering.

Here are four ways to make sure your next gathering is meaningful and reflects what your organization stands for:

  1. Choose a venue that shows attendees who you are.
  2. Make sure your venue is accessible to everyone.
  3. Connect your programming to the local community.
  4. Foster diversity, community, and inclusion.

Strategies like these can better align your gatherings with your values and create spaces where all people can fully participate. Your gatherings will reinforce what you stand for and advance your work in meaningful ways.

Read the full article about nonprofit events by Aparana Rajagopal-Durbin, Ava Holiday and Kristen Grimm at the Stanford Social Innovation Review