Planning a Small Nonprofit Fundraising Event

Planning a fundraising event doesn’t have to break you—or your budget.

This step-by-step guide is written for nonprofit founders who juggle multiple hats, have limited support, and face high expectations. Whether it’s your first event or your fifth, Planning a Small Nonprofit Fundraising Event walks you through a simple, realistic process for hosting a small but powerful event that actually moves your mission forward.

You’ll learn how to:

• Clarify your event’s purpose so you’re not just “throwing something together”

• Choose the right event format for your time, energy, and resources

• Create a stress-free planning timeline that keeps things manageable

• Promote your event without feeling like you’re shouting into the void

• Follow up in ways that build lasting donor relationships

This isn’t a checklist. It’s a game plan—for real people doing real work with limited help.

If you’ve ever said, “I want to host an event, but I don’t know where to start,” this guide is your first step.