Environment Edition

You are clever, innovative, and cutting-edge. Shouldn’t your fundraising event be? Your fundraising event is often the only glimpse of your culture that your donors see. Donors are typically not the ones volunteering or working within the programs. So your annual event rolls around, and you are granted the perfect opportunity to showcase your culture to engage existing donors and attract new ones. As an organization promoting environmental protection–a thought leader in environmental solutions– shouldn’t your events trail-blaze your cause?

Event details send powerful messages to your guests. Consider these event features. How do they align with your values? How can you leverage the event experience to reflect your culture?

Reduce Waste- Do guests purchase or use water bottles? Avoid the waste. Use a water dispenser so guests can refill cups and recycle them when they are finished.

Eat Local- Is your food local? Organic? What is it served on? Are utensils disposable?

Save Trees- Eliminate paper waste by using online ticketing and advertising. Use iPads or laptops for event check in to avoid pages of excel spreadsheets. Cut out the paper donation envelopes and introduce online donations via on-site iPads or iPhones.

Public Transit Prizes- What if you rewarded guests who reduced fuel exhaust on their way to the event? Give away a prize to a guest who took public transportation to attend the event. Their subway/bus ticket can be placed in a bowl at event check in for a chance to win.

Virtual Parties—Live stream the event so people who live farther away can hold house parties. Cut down on transportation pollution!

Honorees—Events often honor people who have already accomplished something. What about honoring someone who is currently working towads an environmentally conscious community? Honor a start-up or business that is using environmentally conscious techinques, perhaps your local pest control is using environmental strategies. Your event guests gain a community resource and can support an environmentally conscious business!

Smart Venue– As much as is locally available, how can your venue reflect environmental consciousness? Is your venue LEED certified? Solar powered?

Your event is a powerful way to reflect your values and encourage people to support your cause from ticketing process to menu options.