Finding the Joy in your Events
- Chris B.
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Joy at a nonprofit event is a powerful thing. It can help energize a room full of supporters. It gives life and context to impact stories and future plans. It can be a note of optimism, hope, and even defiance.
But it's also delicate. Too much of it can veer into toxic positivity or feel false. So many nonprofits are fighting for a cause against systemic, entrenched, and emboldened opponents it feels disingenuous to talk about a mission without talking about our obstacles.
An event that leans too much into the problem and challenge is grim, maybe even disheartening. It might make guests feel like generosity is nice but futile.
But when that balance is struck? When guests feel a sense of joy and community in the room, despite the state of the world? That's a rare and wonderful thing.
I had the opportunity to attend the Big Hat Brunch - a fundraiser for Oasis Youth Center here in Tacoma. Oasis serves LGTBQ+ youth in the South Sound with programs and resources designed to help queer youth not just survive, but thrive. And despite those looking to defund or erase the organization (for example, the federal government, various ghoulish social media figures, etc.), the event was an inspiring one.
The inspiration didn't just come from the video and the speakers - but from the sense that all of at the event were standing together for a cause we believed in.
So how do you get there? Here are some places to start:
Look at the event as a whole. When planning an event, we often look at the induvial pieces on their own ( speeches, videos, emails, etc.). What sort of themes or messages are they sending when taken all together?
Connect your community with your cause. Is your event actively talking about community, and showing your guests the collective impact of that community? It can be tricky to build a sense of togetherness with an event that makes guests feel like passive observers.
Share a vision. Events that talk about the problem without charting a course for the future are missing a step. What's next for your organization and how is that going to serve your community? How can your supporters take part in what's to come?
I can help your organization bring this sense of joy and community to your fundraising. Ready to chat? Click below to set up a call!
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