Event-Based Fundraising in Non-Profit Organizations: Strategies, Innovation, and Donor Engagement
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Journal: NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies (ERDO)
Year: 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-events-2025
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About the Article
Event-based fundraising remains a cornerstone of non-profit sustainability, combining financial resource mobilization with donor engagement and organizational visibility. This article examines the strategic design of fundraising events, including planning, budgeting, volunteer management, and promotional strategies. It highlights innovative practices such as hybrid formats, themed galas, and active participation events, as well as the use of digital tools and social media to broaden inclusivity. By analyzing case-based insights and follow-up practices, the article demonstrates how events can evolve from one-off initiatives into sustainable donor cultivation mechanisms that reinforce long-term organizational resilience.
Key Topics:
- Strategic planning and budgeting for events
- Volunteer engagement and community ownership
- Digital tools and hybrid event formats
- Innovative approaches: galas, marathons, and challenges
- Donor follow-up and long-term engagement
- Events as part of diversified fundraising portfolios
Academic Value:
This article situates event-based fundraising within the broader discourse on sustainability, innovation, and donor relationship management. It contributes theoretical and practical insights on how events function as both financial drivers and strategic tools for visibility and community-building. For practitioners, it offers actionable frameworks to design and implement events that are innovative, cost-effective, and embedded within long-term fundraising strategies.
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