To help clarify the purpose of your nonprofits mission and to elicit maximum support, membership should understand that every meeting or event that occurs in front of the public is important. Simply put it is a chance to get the word out and build support for your nonprofit’s causes. To help with that thinking, here are 12 reasons to always make the most of each event.

Awareness

You can create awareness of your nonprofit’s causes. Most events offer the ability to do free advertising. Make the event an integral part of your annual advertising and marketing program.

Donations

You never know who wants to contribute to your cause. Therefore always have a donation jar and a list of causes available and on display. You now have the ability to solicit donations and make all your events a fundraiser.

Membership

 

Events are a great opportunity to secure new members. All you need to do is leave your membership forms around. One potential member may read and agree to sign up and instantly your event just became a successful membership meeting.

Special Causes

Do you have a special need like a physical structure that requires community and neighborhood agreement? Develop a special handout and carry away piece that will inform neighbors about how they can support your cause. Make the marketing piece focused and distinguishable from your normal organization material so it is memorable.

Education

 

When you educate the meeting participants, they usually appreciate it and will spread the word for your nonprofit group. This also helps your organization meet its community outreach goals.

 

Media

The media may never come to your nonprofit monthly meeting but will gladly come to an event. You invite and they write, which is great free publicity.

Branding

Build your nonprofit’s brand especially if you are being overshadowed by another group because another organization has a national or just larger profile, then an event should become a branding opportunity.

Community Relations

Establish community relations and create a win-win situation. Meet your neighbors, partner with them and help support their causes.

Government Support

Most nonprofits need some form of local government support. An event helps you chat up local government officials who you may not come across during your local travels. Sometimes you may learn something you didn’t know and you can help sell your cause.

Networking

Build your community relations network by using your networking contacts. . An event brings in many people from many neighborhood organizations. Networking with all the other community groups will help strengthen your cause and build your nonprofit’s reputation.

Grants

When you attend grant training one of the line items that is clearly marked is, do you have community support? If your cause requires some level of community support, an event helps you gauge community interest and you can start to build a supportive group all in one place.

Advertising Dollars

An event raises your profile and demonstrates to store owners and business owners in town that you have an audience. They in turn will support your nonprofit with advertising dollars.

So there is no real meeting distinction when it comes to your nonprofit events. Yes there is an initial advertised purpose, but what you advertise versus what you accomplished is always up to you. So dream big and hope your local millionaire or some other philanthropic businessman walks into your event and says I love your cause – here is a 6 or 7 figure check!

Looking for additional ways to increase income and your nonprofit’s visibility? Gregory Burrus helps nonprofits increase income and visibility via internet marketing strategies and fundraising programs.

About the Author: Gregory Burrus is your Live Music Ambassador and is always Around Town.

Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event developer and community partner that develops, manages, promotes and documents local community events in the Greater New Jersey and New York area.

Gregory Burrus sits on a number of local boards, committees and serves as a Board Member of Maplewood Community Music and is also Vice President of the Northern New Jersey Blues Alliance,

Gregory curates and Promotes the South Orange Downtown After Sundown Live Music Concerts, the South Orange 24 Hours of Music Festival, the SOPAC Playing Around South Orange Music Initiative, the Maplewood 4th of Music Live Music Events, Newark’s Rutgers Jazz973 at Clements Place Jazz Series, the Orange NJ Valley Arts Music Programs, Creator of the South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam, along with booking bands at many other local venues.

Showcasing, photographing, videotaping events and happenings as they occur around town while living life every day to the fullest. Gregory Burrus Live Music Ambassador. http://gregoyburrus.me