Is it High Time for High Tea?

I recently came across an Australian organization’s web pages highlighting a high tea function held to honor long-term supporters and to induct newly announced bequest givers into their friends program.   The organization’s mission is animal welfare and they hosted their tea at the nearby botanical garden.  More than 250 people attended!

That’s not it though.  They also hosted a similar event at a more distant location with more than 90 people in attendance to do the same thing – induct bequest givers into their friends program!  This time, it was held at a vineyard.

I have to say, I fell head-over-heels in awe of their ingenuity.  While in the past I’ve hosted similar functions, the location wasn’t my top priority – and maybe the attendance should have told me something.   I used to be satisfied with 20 or 30 people coming to such as event.  If I had it to do over again, I’d spend more time on location, location, location.

Certainly it’s not the most important element, but it’s surely one of the top three.  What better way to attract attendance than to host an event in a beautiful setting?  Wouldn’t you want to come?

The way I see it, it’s a win-win for so many.

• Your fellow non-profit cultural organization wins when you partner with them for events
• Your organization wins when you can share your mission story and gratitude with as many people as possible
• Your participants win by spending time with an organization’s representatives in a relaxed environment – receptive to hear and internalize messages
• We all win by celebrating and encouraging loyalty and generosity by our most ardent supporters

Check out the pictures and scenes of the RSPCA’s events online.   Maybe it’s high time you held a high tea to say “Thank you”!

*Katherine Swank is a consultant for Target Analytics. You may reach her at katherine.swank@blackbaud.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katherine Swank, J.D.

Katherine Swank, JD, senior consultant at Target Analytics, a Blackbaud Company, helps nonprofits apply statistical analytics and donor research to their fundraising efforts with an emphasis on planned gifts. She has raised nearly $250 million for mission funding during her nonprofit development career. Katherine is a retired affiliate faculty member of Regis University’s master of Global Nonprofit Management degree program, where she taught courses on wealth and philanthropy.  Along with writing for publications like Advancing Philanthropy and Philanthropy Journal, she is also a frequent presenter for industry conferences such as NACGP, AFP, APRA, and bbcon. Having grown up in a tourist destination in Colorado, Katherine has become an avid world traveler and is exploring her way through the 1,000 places to see before you die, albeit slowly.  Connect with her on Twitter @KatherineSwank.