There is a Time to Celebrate and Thank Donors

When we talk to organizations about their events we ask them to get clear on their objectives and then we help them develop a program based on those guiding principles. Most of the time the main goal for a major event is fundraising, followed by educating the audience about the work of the organization.

But, there can be a time in the history of an organization where the primary goal of their major fundraising event should be to celebrate and thank donors.

At Basic Rights Oregon’s Ignite event this year, this was the guiding idea for the programming. Ignite is unique in that it is actually two events in one. The first is a smaller VIP seated dinner and auction with major donors that overlaps with the second portion which is a big dance party held on another floor. When the VIP dinner ends, those guests fold into the party already in progress.

This was a huge year for the LGBT movement in Oregon, with Basic Rights Oregon helping on two big wins for the state: marriage equality and coverage for medically necessary treatment for transgender Oregonians on the Oregon Health Plan. Either of these wins would have been huge, but that both happened was cause to really celebrate.

Both were made possible by the hundreds of people who gave their time, gave their money, gave their expertise, gave their votes to make it happen. And thanking them became the guidepost for developing all aspects of the program. The focus shifted from “Look what we accomplished,” to “Look at the amazing things we were able to accomplish, together.” It turned an open hand to the room and encouraged all of the amazing supporters to share in the satisfaction of accomplishment.

The sentiment of gratitude extended through speakers, room set up and video production. The opening video of the evening was less of a “who we are or organizational video update, than it was the faces of donors, supports and allies who had given their time and love to help see marriage equality in Oregon. It was about celebrating that moment and all that comes from it. At the event, the video was backed by a group of amazingly talented singers who did their own acapella version of The Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” and concluded the video with a hand clapping serenade that pulled the whole room in to celebrate. It was an amazing, high energy place where the room felt appreciated and it was a great place to start the event.

From a fundraising standpoint, inclusive and celebratory language is easy to weave into a script, and when it is delivered from the stage in a heartfelt way, you shorten the distance between you and your audience. Shortening this distance is one of your best tools for cultivation.

See the video here.