Virtual? Hybrid? In Person?

The future of non-profit fundraising events

A free seminar presented by the Olympic View Community  Foundation, Washington Nonprofits and the Washington Festivals and Event Association

Welcome and Introductions

9:00 – 9:10 a.m.

Shelly Tolo, Tolo Events, Chair WFEA Fundraising Event Affinity Group

Bruce Skinner, Executive Director, WFEA

Sheila Everett, Olympic View Community Foundation

Alex Panagotacos, Washington Nonprofits

Reopening: What Will Indoor Events Look Like Going Forward?

9:10 – 9:50 p.m.

The State has begun to open up events, with “control” being the key word. Hear the latest from the person in charge of writing the guidelines for the reopening of events.

Karen Hanan, Washington State Arts Commission

The New Non-Profit

10:00 – 10:40 a.m.

While the past year has most definitely altered our lifestyles, the confluence of a national pandemic and civil unrest has also created a new normal for nonprofits! Whether through virtual volunteerism, community-centric practices, digital technology, or simply the aging of “Gen Z”, changes are shaping how nonprofits do business. In this illuminating and informative workshop, participants will re-examine nonprofit practices and explore shifting their own nonprofit activities in ways that enable a more equitable and just nonprofit sector.

By the end of the workshops, participants will be able to:

• Identify principles of “community-centric” fundraising
• Re-examine program practices through a racial equity lens
• Explore new ways to empower communities

Pamela Oakes, Managing Director, The Profitable Nonprofit

Are Hybrid Events the Wave of the Future?

10:50 – 11:30 a.m.

We’ll be talking about the evolution of the virtual fundraising event to the hybrid fundraising event where there are a combination of in-person attendees and on-line participants. We’ll also review best practices for a live streaming events and what events will start to look like this summer and fall.

Shelly Tolo, Tolo Events

The Virtual Auction: During and after COVID

11:40 – 12:20 p.m.

Dennis Caldirola is not only an auctioneer – he also produces Festa Italiana, the Italian Festival at Seattle Center each year. Hear how he has had to pivot several times while wearing both hats.

Dennis Caldirola, Benefit Auction Associates, Festa Italia

Conducting Fundraising Events During COVID

12:30 – 1:10 p.m.

Even though Sequim and Port Angeles are small markets, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula produces top-notch fundraising events that generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Here’s how they’ve done it pre and post COVID.

Janet Gray, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula

From the ballroom to the virtual, and back again, or will we?

1:20 – 2:00 p.m.

The last year and half has forced many events to transition to a virtual format. Some have seen great success in this newly honed format. What aspects are essential to producing a successful virtual event and how will these skill be applied to the barriers ahead.

Jeff Stokes, Shelby Stokes, Mark Schenfeld, Stokes Auction Group

Building Your Social Media Community to Drive Event Success

2:10 – 2:50 p.m.

Fort Worden is the site of some of the best events in the State. Hear this overview and examine case study examples of content creation and strategy, followed by real examples highlighting the following:

• Quality over quantity for accounts with fewer than 10,000 followers
• How to creatively engage your social audience to keep people engaged year round

Natalie Maitland, Fort Worden