Seminar: Crack the Code: Insider Tips & Essentials for Event Fundraising Success
2025-11-05 10:30 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Arrowhead Golf Club, 26W151 Butterfield Rd, Wheaton, IL, 60189, United States
Date & Time: November 5, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Lunch included)
Location: Arrowhead Golf Course, Wheaton, IL
Presented by: Greater Giving, Bid Raise Bid & Serenity Nonprofit Consulting Group
Join us for an engaging seminar designed to unlock the secrets of successful event fundraising! Whether you’re planning your first gala or looking to elevate your fundraising impact, this session will equip you with practical strategies and insider tips.
What You’ll Learn:

How to prepare effectively before the event to ensure success
Strategies to maximize every seat and engage your audience throughout the event
Best practices for post-event engagement to sustain donor relationships

Seminar Highlights:

Expert guidance on event essentials including décor, photography, AV, and consignment
Interactive sessions led by fundraising specialist Bridget Hannon and award-winning auctioneer Chris Hensley
Opportunity to ask questions and network with fellow nonprofit professionals

Ticket Includes:

Full lunch
Exciting giveaways and raffle prizes, including:

Drawing for an HGA Trip (Value $2,000)
$1,000 off Chris Hensley’s auctioneer services
$500 off night-of support from Serenity Nonprofit Consulting Group

Ticket Price: $52
Secure your spot now and crack the code to fundraising success!
*Full participation in Crack the Code: Insider Tips & Essentials for Event Fundraising Success is applicable for 3 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

Maximizing Mission Impact: Smarter Fundraising for Arizona Nonprofits
2026-01-21 10:00 - 13:30 | JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Resort, 5402 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, 85253, United States
Join us for an engaging and practical seminar designed to empower Arizona nonprofits with smarter, more effective fundraising techniques. This event covers everything from understanding the latest Arizona giving landscape to mastering live auction strategies and donor retention in today’s competitive environment. Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to refine your skills, this seminar offers valuable insights and hands-on tactics to maximize your organization’s mission impact.

Seminar: The Whole Package: Behind the Bid
2026-06-02 - 2026-06-04 | MA
A half-day, CFRE-accredited masterclass focused on the strategy, structure, and moments that define high-performing fundraising events.

From stage strategy to revenue-driving moments… from unforgettable experiences to the technology that powers it all – this half-day program is designed to elevate how your events perform.
Join an all-star lineup of fundraising experts alongside nonprofit peers in your community for a morning packed with insight, energy, and connection.
Three convenient DMV locations. Limited seating available. This event series will sell out.
June 2, 2026 | MD – 12505 Park Potomac Avenue, Potomac, MD 20854
June 3, 2026 | VA – 1904 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
June 4, 2026 | D.C. – 3000 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

Seminar: The Chicago Gala Playbook Live: How to Take Your Event to the Next Level and Raise More Money
2026-06-09 09:30 - 14:00 | Venue West, 221 N Paula St, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
A practical, no‑fluff workshop focused on real strategies that drive real fundraising results. Limited Capacity Event – Attendance is capped to ensure a high‑value, interactive experience.
Bonus Value for Attendees:

Full participation in The Chicago Gala Playbook Live: How to Take Your Event to the Next Level and Raise More Money is applicable for 3.5 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Enter to win a Tuscany trip giveaway!
Receive free professional headshots onsite

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Doors open at 9:30 AM)
Venue West: 221 N Paulina St Chicago, IL 60612
The Chicago Gala Playbook Live is a high-impact, half-day workshop designed for nonprofit leaders, gala chairs, and development professionals who want to elevate their events and raise more money. This practical, no-fluff session will walk attendees through every stage of a successful fundraising event, from early planning and sponsorship strategy to live auction execution, paddle raise success, and post-event stewardship. Featuring expert panels and real-world insights from top event partners, attendees will leave with actionable strategies they can immediately implement.
Learning Objectives:
• Develop a strategic timeline and plan for executing a successful fundraising event
• Identify and implement revenue-driving strategies for live and silent auctions
• Understand best practices for maximizing paddle raise/fund-a-need performance
• Learn how to engage sponsors, table hosts, and attendees to increase giving
• Apply post-event data and stewardship strategies to grow future event revenue

Seminar: Better Events: A Seamless Experience
2026-06-11 11:00 - 13:30 | Prince George Ballroom, 15 E 27th Street, New York, NY, 10016, United States
Learn how to design high‑energy fundraising events, from arrival to checkout. Eliminate friction, elevate storytelling, and use the right technology to convert momentum into deeper engagement and larger gifts.
This session explores how building a high-energy run of show and aligning storytelling with key donor decision moments can increase both participation and gift size. Learn how the right technology makes it possible to scale. Participants will examine the full arc of a fundraising event, from registration and guest arrival through live auction, paddle raise, and checkout, identifying where breakdowns occur and how to eliminate them. Through a panel discussion and real-world case studies, attendees will leave with a proven framework for building seamless, high-performing fundraising events that convert guest energy into generational giving.
Learning Objectives:

Identify common friction points in fundraising event flow that negatively impact donor participation and gift size.
Apply best practices in registration, digital auction management, and run-of-show design to create a frictionless guest experience.
Construct a strategic event timeline that aligns storytelling and emotional peaks with key donor decision moments.
Evaluate how technology tools, including event management software and digital auction platforms, can be integrated to streamline operations and increase revenue.
