Almost every fundraising event has a cocktail hour. Usually cocktail hours last an hour, but they can run longer. Sometimes it is a standalone activity, sometimes it happens in conjunction with a silent auction.
There are many ways to approach this aspect of your fundraising event, but I want to talk about a new trend I’m seeing with some of my clients that I think you’re going to love.
Cocktail hours that double as a showcase for your nonprofit’s mission.
Some of my clients have begun taking advantage of this hour, when your guests would normally be drinking and networking, to give them an opportunity to see their dollars in action, up close and personal.
One of my clients works with young adults in the equal opportunity space. At one event, they invited a number of their beneficiaries to attend and set up booths, science fair style, during the cocktail hour. Each beneficiary used their booth to show what they were working on with the help of the nonprofit: book reports, science projects, art projects, etc.
Another one of my clients provides business training for women. They invited some of their beneficiaries to set up booths during the cocktail hour that highlighted their businesses. Some brought in wares to show and some highlighted the services their businesses provide.
In both of these cases the guests were given an opportunity to speak directly with the people the nonprofit helps. They could see in a very clear way, where their dollars were going. They formed connections with the beneficiaries and their stories.
What a great way to use an hour that would otherwise be spent drinking and making small talk.
Does your nonprofit do something similar? Are you interested in trying this approach in the future? Let me know in the comments.
There are many ways to approach this aspect of your fundraising event, but I want to talk about a new trend I’m seeing with some of my clients that I think you’re going to love.
Cocktail hours that double as a showcase for your nonprofit’s mission.
Some of my clients have begun taking advantage of this hour, when your guests would normally be drinking and networking, to give them an opportunity to see their dollars in action, up close and personal.
One of my clients works with young adults in the equal opportunity space. At one event, they invited a number of their beneficiaries to attend and set up booths, science fair style, during the cocktail hour. Each beneficiary used their booth to show what they were working on with the help of the nonprofit: book reports, science projects, art projects, etc.
Another one of my clients provides business training for women. They invited some of their beneficiaries to set up booths during the cocktail hour that highlighted their businesses. Some brought in wares to show and some highlighted the services their businesses provide.
In both of these cases the guests were given an opportunity to speak directly with the people the nonprofit helps. They could see in a very clear way, where their dollars were going. They formed connections with the beneficiaries and their stories.
What a great way to use an hour that would otherwise be spent drinking and making small talk.
Does your nonprofit do something similar? Are you interested in trying this approach in the future? Let me know in the comments.
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