Attended a webinar on special events this week by the ePhilanthropy Foundation, led by CEO of Artez Interactive.  Many worthwhile tips for online fundraising, such as:

• many nonprofits do extremely well with pledge based events, where participants sign up and then ask others to support their involvement.  It’s worthwhile to add a fundraising component to any online event, even those that have traditionally not involved fundraising.
• using the formula: # participants x % who fundraise x # of people who ask x % that give x avg gift / sponsor = $ raised, there are many ways to increase event revenues.  Many will need encouragement to ask for the first gift, but most that are asked will give (but only if they are asked).
• Most sponsors of event participants give due to their connection with participant, not due to any connection with the charitable organization (thus additional donations in the future may not happen)
• Top 5% of fundraisers raise over 50% of pledges.  These constituents should be given special recognition to support their efforts.
• ‘Widgets’ can be used to add fundraising tools to blogs, personal web pages etc.