BUILDING FUNDRAISING CAPACITY THROUGH EVENT MANAGEMENT

While Ryan Health had real success winning public and private grants, it had taken a hiatus from its biannual gala, and individual donor fundraising had room to grow. Our team of Katherine DeFoyd and Tamara Ehlin were instrumental in making the organization’s 50th Anniversary Gala a sold-out success that increased revenues by more than 50 percent over previous galas, based largely on our focus on upfront sponsorship sales and honoree involvement. Most important, Ryan Health now has a branded event with a robust strategy for ongoing donor recognition and cultivation. Over 18 months, we not only assisted the team with the Healthcare Is a Right, Not a Privilege – 50th Anniversary Gala, but also implemented a new Salesforce CRM system; established technology-driven communications strategies; and secured and acknowledged funding from donors. Staff capacity increased significantly through our coaching and implementation of new systems.