Category: Fundraising Events

In one of our earlier episodes of The Secret Guide to Fundraising, we had the privilege of speaking with Nicky Kinlock, the CEO of Cure Cancer Australia. Since stepping into her role in 2018, she has driven extraordinary growth, with new donor numbers increasing by 158% and repeat donors surging by 441%. With her background in business and fintech, she has transformed traditional charity operations through innovative, forward-thinking strategies that have paved the way for fundraising success. Below, we break down her key learnings into top fundraising tips for anyone looking to achieve fundraising success and grow their fundraising efforts.

1. Embrace Adaptability and Pilot New Ideas Gradually

“If you have an organisation that’s not set up for big change, then just do it in small steps. Progress is progress, full stop.”

In a constantly shifting environment, the ability to adapt is crucial for fundraising success. Nicky stresses that when introducing new initiatives, it’s essential to start small, learn from each pilot, and then scale up gradually. This approach not only minimizes risks but also helps you fine-tune your strategies based on real-world feedback. By controlling costs and managing uncertainty, you create a solid foundation for growing fundraising efforts.

This top fundraising tip—starting with small, manageable pilots—has been instrumental in nurturing innovative projects while ensuring that the charity remains agile and responsive to change.

2. Cultivate a Fintech Mindset in a Traditional Setting

“I always now say that I work for a 57-year-old charity, but we have got a fintech mindset.”

Even in a longstanding charity, adopting a fintech mindset can revolutionize your approach to fundraising. Nicky’s ability to challenge conventional methods by integrating modern, technology-driven strategies has been a game changer. This fresh perspective attracts new donors and injects energy into the organization, making it easier to achieve fundraising success.

By embracing innovation, you set the stage for growing fundraising efforts that keep pace with evolving donor expectations and digital trends.

3. Expand Your Reach to Diverse Communities

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and neither do we.”

Reaching out to diverse communities is essential for maximizing fundraising success. Nicky emphasized that a charity’s mission should be inclusive, extending beyond major cities to embrace regional and rural donors. With a nationwide approach, organizations can engage supporters from every corner, ensuring that the benefits of their work reach all affected communities.

This approach not only broadens your donor base but also reinforces the idea that fundraising efforts must be as diverse as the communities they serve, driving long-term growth.

4. Leverage New Channels and Let Data Guide Your Strategy

“Something that we are doing—and will continue to do—is to be data-led. Listen to your customers, read the data, and let it guide your decisions.”

Innovation in fundraising extends far beyond traditional events. Nicky’s success includes tapping into emerging channels such as gaming and streaming, platforms that allow charities to reach audiences that were previously untapped. Alongside embracing new channels, letting data drive your decisions is critical for optimizing campaigns. By analyzing donor behaviour, open rates, and engagement metrics, you can continuously refine your strategy for growing fundraising success.

This combined approach is a top fundraising tip for anyone looking to integrate modern technology and analytics into their fundraising strategies.

Top Tip: Listen to Cure Cancer AU’s former head of Gaming and Streaming on how the organisation started raising money from gaming.

5. Build a Supportive Board and Collaborative Team

“I was very lucky. The board said, ‘Yes, this is what we want. We want innovation.'”

No charity can achieve fundraising success without the right support network. Nicky attributes much of her accomplishments to a board that embraces innovation and a team that is willing to disrupt established norms. When your organization’s leadership and team are aligned with a forward-thinking vision, even the most ambitious projects become attainable.

This collaborative spirit is a top fundraising tip for growing fundraising initiatives—ensuring that everyone, from board members to frontline staff, contributes to the collective vision.

6. Personalize Donor Communications for Greater Impact

“If you’re interested in brain cancer, we will be sending you updates on brain cancer research. If you’re interested in lung cancer, we’ll invite you to a lunch and learn with one of our researchers.”

Engaging donors on a personal level is key to building strong, lasting relationships that drive fundraising success. Nicky’s strategy involves customizing communications to align with individual donor interests, whether that means providing updates on specific cancer research areas or inviting donors to tailored events. This personalized approach not only makes donors feel valued but also encourages repeat support and long-term commitment.

By directly addressing donor interests, you create a more engaging experience—one of the top fundraising tips for growing fundraising efforts and deepening donor loyalty.

Top Tip: Use automated messaging with the Givergy platform to ensure your guests are always informed.

7. Invest Strategically for Exponential Returns

“Any expenditure, anything new needs to be reviewed, challenged, and tested. There’s a very strong case that you need to spend some money to make money.”

Every innovative initiative requires careful evaluation to ensure that investments yield significant returns. Nicky explains that a calculated investment approach is necessary to drive fundraising success. By rigorously reviewing new projects and ensuring that expenditures are justified, you set the stage for exponential growth. This strategy is particularly effective when you focus on long-term benefits over short-term gains.

This top fundraising tip encourages organizations to view investments in innovation as a pathway to growing fundraising and achieving greater impact.

8. Ask Directly to Build Strong Donor Relationships

“Just ask them. Just ask them why they care, and they will tell you.”

Sometimes, the simplest methods yield the best results. Nicky advocates for direct engagement—asking donors why they care about the cause and what motivates their contributions. This honest, straightforward approach not only provides valuable insights but also strengthens the connection between donors and the charity, driving both retention and growth in fundraising.

By engaging in open dialogue, you foster a community of informed, passionate supporters—a top fundraising tip that is essential for sustained fundraising success.

Nicky Kinlock’s leadership at Cure Cancer Australia demonstrates that combining innovation, technology, and personalized donor engagement transforms a charity’s trajectory.

To learn more and speak to us about your fundraising ambitions, click here.

Gala dinners are more than just an evening of fine dining—they’re immersive experiences that can leave a lasting impression on your guests while significantly boosting your fundraising efforts. Whether you’re planning a charity event, a corporate celebration, or a community gathering, these 10 tips will help you not only enhance your event’s quality but also actively grow your gala dinner’s reach and impact.

1. Start with a Strategic Plan

A well-thought-out strategy is the foundation of any successful event. By defining clear objectives—whether raising funds, increasing brand awareness, or celebrating community achievements—you set the stage for measurable growth. Early planning allows you to set a realistic budget, secure the perfect venue, and craft a detailed timeline. This methodical approach minimizes last-minute surprises and positions your event for scalability, ensuring that each successive gala builds on the success of the last.

Givergy Tip: Listen to our recent podcast with event manager Anthony Spencer for more tips on event planning.

2. Create a Unique Theme

A compelling theme not only sets the tone for the evening but also serves as a powerful marketing tool. A unique, well-executed theme—be it a glamorous masquerade ball, a roaring twenties speakeasy, or a futuristic celebration—creates buzz and sets your event apart from the competition. When guests have a distinct and memorable experience, word-of-mouth promotion increases, attracting new attendees and growing your event’s audience over time.

Givergy Favourite: The POGO PJ party has been running for 7 years, and despite it taking a year or two for people to feel comfortable in their pjs, it is now a feature of the social calendar

3. Design an Engaging Arrival Experience

The arrival experience is your first opportunity to captivate guests, and it plays a critical role in building momentum for the rest of the evening. A visually appealing check-in area, complete with signature arrival drinks or welcome gifts, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. This initial engagement can lead to higher guest satisfaction and better overall reviews, driving repeat attendance and helping your event grow in popularity and prestige year after year.

4. Incorporate Interactive Activities

Interactive elements transform a traditional dinner into a dynamic experience that encourages active participation. Incorporating activities such as live art installations, interactive photo booths, or sporting games invites guests to engage beyond the meal. This interaction not only enhances the guest experience but also fosters networking and community building. Engaged attendees are more likely to share their positive experiences, boosting your event’s reputation and drawing a larger, more enthusiastic crowd in future iterations.

5. Enhance the Program with Live Entertainment

Live entertainment energizes your gala dinner and keeps guests excited throughout the night. Whether it’s a live band, an orchestra, a DJ, or even a surprise performance, quality entertainment bridges gaps between formal segments of the program and sustains high energy levels. When guests leave feeling entertained and inspired, they’re more inclined to attend again and recommend the event to others, directly contributing to the growth of your audience and overall event success.

6. Recognize and Reward Contributions

Incorporating an awards ceremony or a recognition segment not only honours key contributors but also builds lasting relationships with sponsors, donors, and volunteers. Publicly acknowledging their contributions creates a sense of community and motivates ongoing support. When contributors feel valued and celebrated, they are more likely to advocate for your event, bring along their networks, and even increase their level of involvement—all of which are critical factors in the sustainable growth of your gala dinner.

7. Leverage Innovative Technology

Digital tools are essential in today’s event landscape, providing a seamless experience for both organizers and attendees. Platforms like Givergy offer innovative solutions for online ticketing, running silent auctions, and post-event engagement, which streamline operations and open new avenues for revenue. By integrating these technologies, you not only modernize the guest experience but also gather valuable data that can inform future event strategies—driving growth through continuous improvement and expanded reach.

Givergy Tip: By activating donor tip through the Givergy platform, you can fundraise for free. Meaning digital tech supporting silent auctions, online raffles and ticketing can be used to boost your event with no extra cost to your organisation.

8. Collaborate with Sponsors and Partners

Strategic partnerships are a cornerstone of successful event growth. Engaging sponsors not only provides financial support but also lends credibility to your gala dinner. Their involvement often includes cross-promotion through their networks, thereby expanding your event’s exposure to new audiences. When sponsors see a direct link between their support and the event’s expanding reach, they are more inclined to invest further, which helps secure the resources needed to scale your gala dinner year after year.

Givergy Tip: Listen to our podcast episode with Daniel Strang, founder of fight for charity, who successfully grew his event from having 4 sponsors to over 70 in just 5 years. Or read their case study.

9. Focus on Seamless Logistics

Meticulous attention to logistics is crucial: for delivering a flawless event experience. Ensuring that details like venue layout, seating arrangements, lighting, and acoustics are perfectly executed contributes to guest comfort and overall satisfaction. A well-run event builds a strong reputation, encouraging repeat attendance and positive word-of-mouth referrals. Over time, these satisfied guests become ambassadors for your gala dinner, fuelling organic growth and establishing a foundation for long-term success.

10. Capture and Share Your Success

Documenting your event through professional photography, video recaps, and guest testimonials is vital for long-term growth. By sharing these highlights on social media and other digital platforms, you extend the life of your event beyond a single night. This ongoing engagement helps to build anticipation for future galas, attract new sponsors, and foster a loyal community of supporters. The visual narrative of your success not only validates your efforts but also serves as a powerful marketing tool that propels your event’s growth year after year.

Gala dinners offer a unique opportunity to blend entertainment with purpose, creating unforgettable experiences while driving meaningful support for your cause. By incorporating these 10 tips into your planning process, you’ll build a foundation that not only elevates the guest experience but also drives measurable growth. Each strategic element, from a compelling theme to advanced technology integration, contributes to the expansion of your audience, improved engagement, and increased fundraising potential.

Ready to elevate your next gala dinner and set the stage for future growth? Start planning now and explore innovative solutions that transform your event into an immersive experience that delights, inspires, and continuously expands its impact.

To talk to one of our fundraising experts about your fundraising plans, click here.