Nonprofit event planning got you stressed?

Did you know that you can learn to be great at nonprofit event planning? Take it from me - nonprofit event planning is in my DNA now. I've worked and volunteered at NGOs since 2016, and half of those years were spent hosting 20 or more gatherings per month. Committees, board meetings and board retreats, fundraisers, learning events and seminars, conferences, house parties, holiday parties, check presentations, awards ceremonies - every type of nonprofit event you can imagine, and I've been present. As a table captain, bartender, emcee, check-in manager, silent auction prize dispenser, greeter, guest, the one holding the clipboard, or anything in between. 

And I’ll let you in on a little secret: nonprofit event planning used to scare me. They were so high stakes, so public, so unpredictable. And murky as all get out! No one teaches you how things are supposed to be, and you end up making a lot of small choices of your own and never know if they’re right or not. 

And that’s why I built Gatherologist - because no one teaches you how to plan events successfully. I could have used someone walking alongside me when I was getting started, so now I will be that guiding voice for others who are now in my position from 10 years ago. 

Nonprofit Event Types

In this site, I focus on 3 main categories of events: Fundraisers, Internal Meetings, and Community Meetings.

Fundraisers

Includes any event where the goal is to raise money, from the tiny giveback night at the local burger joint to the six-figure gala. Because the event goal is about bringing in funds, these live in a category all their own. And it may surprise you to learn that the same principles for planning apply across the spectrum of fundraising types, from wine tastings to luncheons to 5ks. Together we will simplify decision-making, clarify our goals, hammer out the tricky details, and finally, as with all events, hope for the best but plan for the worst.

Internal Meetings

Includes meeting types that only include people who are internal to your organization - the people who work behind the scenes, such as your board, volunteers, committee members, and staff. It does not include the people whom you serve. These are the often stodgy gatherings we do out of routine instead of with real purpose and vision, like board meetings and retreats, committee meetings, volunteer gatherings, staff meetings, and all variations or combinations of those. Together, we will breathe life back into tired, dusty agendas and maybe even eliminate some of these meetings off your calendar.

Community Events

Any non-fundraising, non-internal-only gathering. Put a different way, these are gatherings that involve people from outside your organization, from whom you are not asking for money. These might be networking meetings, seminars and learning events, expos, webinars, fairs and festivals, keynotes and conferences. Together we will manage the scope of these events, maintaining their scalability within what is doable and stay laser-focused on the intended outcome. 

So, are you ready to dive in? Nonprofit event planning awaits!

But hold up. Let’s breathe for a sec first. 

My guess is that you’ve come here today with a specific event in mind that needs planning. Maybe it’s one you know well and you’re looking to spruce it up, or maybe it’s brand new and you are looking for ideas to make it timeless. Whatever the case may be, I have the advice you need to be successful right here in the Nonprofit Event Planning 101 booklet. 

Nonprofit Event Planning 101

The same basic principles apply across all types of events. Together let's do some level-setting and develop a common understanding of what event planning is, and is not. We will also develop a shared language so you can get the most out of this site.

Read the Nonprofit Event Planning 101 PDF. Go ahead, I’ll wait. And I promise to never sell your email. And we rarely send any emails ourselves - we believe less is more when it comes to marketing. 

Something you read may challenge your perception of the events you hold. Not to worry, intelligence is knowing when to change your mind. 

I implore you to explore the menus surrounding your chosen event, and you can always search for what you’re looking for. If you truly want an event to be the best it can be, I suggest blocking some time on your calendar and digging in deep. So hold your plans loosely and follow me. We're going to do great things. 

Best of luck to you! XXOO

-Kelsey, Gatherologist