Client: First Call – Alcohol/Drug Prevention & Recovery

Challenge:

Event Fundraising for three very different types of events throughout the year:

  • The Gratitude Luncheon is a community recognition event, celebrating those working hard in the field of advocacy and recovery. This event creates high-level stature for First Call as the leading agency, acknowledging the work of its peers.
  • The Celebrity Golf Tournament cultivates community through its corporate sponsorships and offers the opportunity to give and play at the same time.
  • The Celebration Dinner creates the space to provide education through keynote presentations and testimonials and fosters individual giving from each attendee sitting at fully sponsored tables.

Results: 

All three major events were sold out for the first time in the history of the organization. We doubled the number of sponsorships by bringing new corporations to the table. We were able to then initiate an “Annual Sponsorship Package” that would enable companies to commit to all three annual events as a sponsor.

Having sponsorship money already committed as committees geared up for each event helped to stimulate ideas for new sponsors and invigorated committee engagement.

At the end of the year, net revenue doubled from these fundraising events.

Testimonial: 

“As a contractor, Linda Buchner has become a key component of the First Call development team.  For the past two years, she has served as our Special Events Coordinator for three major, annual events. 

Linda’s goal was to double the number of sponsorships, engage and motivate our our committees, and fill the rooms at all three events – our spring Gratitude Luncheon, summer Celebrity Golf Tournament, and fall Celebration Dinner.
For the first time ever, all three First Call events sold out and we were a able to double our net revenue.
There are many qualities that make Linda a great fundraiser and colleague to our organization: She has extensive experience as a marketing professional; she is smart; she has excellent communication skills and says what she means; she is a team-player; she is kind and carries herself with a generosity of spirit.

More than all that, Linda’s “Superpower with Special Sauce” is the genuine sparkle she brings to advocating for support on behalf of our mission. She has an honest and graceful energy alined with her personal integrity — which fosters a donor’s trust.

Linda Buchner is the gift!   – Susan Whitmore, President & CEO