IN THE TRENCHES

Books to Help Plan a Fund-Raising Event

Here are some helpful books for organizations to use when planning their fund-raising events:

The Business of Special Events: Fundraising Strategies for Changing Times,

ALSO SEE: Tips for Creating a Fund-Raising Gala for the First Time

by Harry A. Freedman and Karen Feldman (Pineapple Press, 1998, $21.95). This book can help charities decide if holding a special event should be part of their fund-raising plans. The authors discuss how to select an event, choose a location, develop a budget, attract corporate sponsorship, manage staff members and volunteers, promote the event, schedule entertainment, and evaluate the results.

CPR for Nonprofits: Creative Strategies for Successful Fundraising, Marketing, Communications, and Management, by Alvin H. Reiss (Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000, $27). The author uses case studies of nonprofit organizations that have developed ways to deal with typical fund-raising difficulties[--]such as poor attendance at a fund-raising event[--]to present practical approaches to dealing with a wide variety of issues that charities regularly face.

How to Produce Fabulous Fundraising Events: Reap Remarkable Returns With Minimal Effort, by Betty Stallings and Donna McMillion (Building Better Skills, 1999, $30). This book describes events that small and medium-size nonprofit groups can use to raise money, such as dinners that tap local celebrities to serve as waiters. Topics covered include choosing an event, recruiting volunteers, planning the event's budget, promoting the gala, and evaluating results.

Managing Special Event Risks: 10 Steps to Safety, (Nonprofit Risk Management Center and the Nonprofits' Insurance Alliance of California, 1997, $12). This guide explains how charities can prevent injuries to participants at fund-raising events and protect themselves from legal liability and financial loss. It covers how to plan for emergencies, purchase insurance, provide security, and handle questions from the news media if something does go wrong.

Special Events: Proven Strategies for Nonprofit Fundraising, by Alan L. Wendroff (John Wiley & Sons, 2004, $44). The author discusses how to promote events, recruit volunteers to help, and use the event to attract donors and educate the public about a charity's work.