Friendraising vs Fundraising

Friendraising vs Fundraising

So, you want to organize a fundraising event.

Maybe you just saw that a well-established, 30-year-old nonprofit in your area raised six figures at theirs, and you’re thinking, “We should do that too.”

You absolutely should host an event—but let’s pause for a reality check first.

That six-figure event you’re admiring? It didn’t start there. Thirty years ago, the same nonprofit held a small community gathering that generated five figures. People had a great time. They saw the value. And on the way out, someone said, “You’re doing this next year, right?”

That’s square one. That’s where you start.

If you're a newer or smaller nonprofit, your first event—actually, your first five years of events—isn't about big money. It's about building relationships. It's about friendraising.

What Is Friendraising?

Friendraising is event-based donor cultivation with a long game in mind. It shifts your focus away from the immediate bottom line and toward building a broad, engaged, and supportive community.

Think of it as lead generation for your nonprofit. You’re taking your mission from unheard to unforgettable by giving your community the chance to connect with your work—and with each other.

Friendraising helps your nonprofit go from a stranger in the crowd to someone people trust, admire, and want to support. But it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, consistency, and heart.

People Want to Be Part of Something Good

Your event should be a celebration, not a guilt trip. Attendees already know you’re going to ask for money. What they don’t want is to feel like they’ve been cornered in a timeshare presentation.

Make it fun. Make it memorable. Make it feel like the best night out in town—and while you’ve got those butts in seats, that’s your chance to share your mission and your impact. That’s when you tell the story that moves hearts and opens wallets.

You should also put out a call for volunteers during your event. Volunteers often become your most loyal supporters. They serve on committees. They join boards. They bring in their friends. It’s a slower form of peer-to-peer fundraising, but it has lasting ROI.

What Seasoned Nonprofits Know

At a nonprofit networking meeting a few years ago, a new Executive Director eliminated all but one fundraising event. Why? Because events are a ton of work, and the return on investment is usually low. The event he kept wasn’t even the biggest moneymaker. It was just a beloved tradition that canceling would have gotten him run out of town.

Many large, mature nonprofits have scaled back to a single, major annual event. They’ve done the math. They know it’s easier and more effective to send a low-cost appeal letter than to throw five exhausting parties that barely break even.

Meanwhile, it can feel like a fundraiser is happening every weekend. That’s often because smaller, newer nonprofits are burning themselves (and their donors) out by hosting too many events too soon.

If You’re Just Starting Out

Here’s the truth: if your nonprofit is still young or growing, your first event probably won't raise six figures. And that’s okay. Your goal is to increase your network before you grow your net worth.

If you’re building from the ground up, plan one signature event and commit to it year after year. Focus on building a community of supporters who share your mission's values. The dollars will follow.

Want to Raise Six Figures? Here's What It Takes

To pull off a major fundraiser, you’ll need:

• Around $25,000 upfront (for venue, catering, AV, entertainment, etc.)

• 40 to 50 volunteers

• A strong donor list and sponsorship support

• Robust event software for ticketing, auction management, and donor data collection

Oh—and make sure guests can register and check out fast. No one wants to end the night waiting in a line, especially if they’ve got a babysitter to pay. The more seamless the experience, the better your chances of repeat attendees (and donors).

You’ll need to handle:

• Auction logistics (silent, live, or online)

• Data security and payment processing

• Sponsor recognition and marketing

• Bidder numbers, table assignments, guest tracking, and thank-you follow-up

Don’t get caught up in decor too early. That’s not what brings in the money. Start with impact, logistics, and fun.

If the budget is too steep this year, that’s okay. Scale your ideas to your resources. A small event done well always beats a big event done poorly.

Final Thought

Your first few events are about visibility, storytelling, and community. That’s friendraising. You’re laying the foundation now so that 30 years from today, a grassroots nonprofit will look at your success and start their own journey inspired by you.

Start with one good event. Make it fun. Make it meaningful. And make it matter.