Summer Institute for Educational Fundraising Pre-Institute Sessions-It’s About More Than Just a Good Time

It’s About More Than Just a Good Time - ROI and Meaningful Events

Pdf Summary

In this document, Joycelyn Blizzard and William L. Pierce discuss the importance of programming and events for engaging constituents in higher education institutions. They emphasize the need to know the purpose and objective of these events and to set SMART goals. They also highlight the importance of creating a sense of belonging for all attendees and anticipating obstacles. They stress the significance of the "afterparty" by revisiting goals, reporting numbers and narratives, and making recommendations for the future. Return on investment (ROI) is also discussed, with criteria such as having the right people in the room, exceeding income over expenses, fostering meaningful contacts with donors, and increasing affinity. It is important to measure ROI based on the school's own definition of success and to adjust accordingly. The document concludes with the top five takeaways from the session: knowing the purpose and objective, having SMART goals, striving for a sense of belonging, being adaptable, and celebrating successes. Contact information for Joycelyn Blizzard and William L. Pierce is provided at the end.

Keywords

programming

events

constituents

SMART goals

sense of belonging

afterparty

return on investment

ROI

engaging

attendees