Webinar: Building a Smart Data Strategy for Fundraising Events

In this webinar, we discussed how a proactive approach to data management transforms the donor experience and simplifies the post-event audit. We shared actionable insights on moving beyond manual spreadsheets to create a seamless data life cycle.

• Establishing a Smart Strategy Before Launch: By prioritizing database health — specifically eliminating duplicate emails and names — months before the first ticket is sold, organizations ensure a seamless check-in experience for guests and accurate, reliable reporting for the development team.
• Bridging the Gap Between Platforms: Because main CRMs often have limitations with some facets of events, teams must decide early which software will serve as the primary source of truth for the event and use night-of notes (physical or online) to capture real-time donor intent, such as payments intended for Donor Advised Funds or sending a check in later.
• The Path to Seamless Reconciliation: Since the true finish line of a successful event is the financial audit rather than the gala’s end, involving finance and marketing in the planning and conducting “pre-reconciliations” days before the event ensures that every paddle raise is accurately recorded and reconciled within 48 to 72 hours.