Fundraising Gala’s in 2026 What’s Changing & What Still Works

Transcript

1. Fundraising Gala’s in 2026 What’s Changing & What Still Works Presented by: Michael Imholte
2. DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATION CONTAINS SCENES OF CANDID NONPROFIT CONVERSATIONS. ALL CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INCIDENTS ARE ENTIRELY FICTIONAL—CREATED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND OCCASIONAL COMEDIC RELIEF. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL NONPROFITS, BOARD MEMBERS, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS, OR EVENTS IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL.
3. THE BIG IDEA DONORS STILL GIVE TO PEOPLE 2026 REWARDS CLARITY + CONNECTION 3
4. WHAT’S CHANGING 5 SHIFTS ON 2026 1. MISSION-FIRST PLANNING 2. RELATIONS > TRANSACTIONAL 3. TECH AS LEVERAGE 4. EXPERIENCE DRIVEN EVENTS 5. SPONSORSHIP = ENGAGEMENT 4
5. MISSION-FIRST PLANNING * ONE MISSION THREAD * EVERY CHOICE EARNS ITS SPOT * LESS NOISE, MORE MEANING 5
6. RELATIONAL > TRANSACTIONAL * DONORS DISENGAGE FROM ‘ASKS’ * THEY STAY FOR BELONGING * GRATITUDE + IMPACT WINS 6
7. TECH AS LEVERAGE (NOT A SUBSTITUTE) * FASTER DECISIONS * CLEANER EXECUTIONS * CONSISTENT FOLLOW-UP (HUMAN TRUST STAYS HUMAN) 7
8. EXPERIENCE IS THE NEW EXPECTATION * PACING MATTERS * PARTICIPATION MATTERS * EMOTION HAS AN ARC 8
9. SPONSORSHIP = ENGAGEMENT *ACTIVATION OVER LOGOS * EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT * MEASURABLE IMPACT 9
10. WHAT STILL WORKS 3 THINGS THAT STILL RAISE THE MOST 1. STORY BACKBONE 2. EASY GIVING 3. REVENUE DRIVERS 10
11. ONE STORY OF THE NIGHT * SAY IT IN ONE SENTENCE * PROVE IT ON STAGE * ECHO IT IN FOLLOW-UP 11
12. MAKE GIVING EFFORTLESS * CLEAR LEVELS * SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS * REMOVE FRICTION 12
13. DRIVERS > DISTRACTIONS * PROGRAM FLOW * SPEAKER COACHING * FUND–A–NEED EXECUTION (EVERYTHING ELSE SUPPORTS THESE) 13
14. 2026 ISN’T “MORE”. IT’S “WHAT MATTERS”. BLEND MODERN TOOLS WITH TIMELESS PRECISION 14
15. THANK YOU! Mike Imholte, BAS 320-250-2781 Mike@solditatauction.com Blackdiamondbenefits.bid Contact directly for a meeting link