349. The Habits of an Impactful Events Fundraiser - Matthew Helmer

Habits SeriesEventsDonor Relations

Nov 11

Written By Andie Murphy

Matthew Helmer, The Habits of an Impactful Events Fundraiser

Listen to this episode

Overview

Welcome back to our Friday Series: The Habits of an Impactful Fundraiser. This week we’re talking about all things events and experiences with founding member of The DRG Group Matthew Helmer who has decades of experience creating meaningful donor events. He’s bringing his expertise about creating donor events and experiences that serve a true purpose while being data-informed. Tune in for Matthew’s counsel on how you can find your Why and move past the rinse-and-repeat cycle of donor events. 🚫🚿🔁

Special Guest

Matthew Helmer, Consultant and Strategist
The DRG Group

“The antidote to exhaustion is not necessarily rest. The answer to exhaustion is wholeheartedness. The things we do half heartedly wears us out.”

— Matthew Helmer, Consultant and Strategist The DRG Group

Episode Transcript

Download Full Episode Transcript

Episode Highlights

The bigger question (4:00)
Follow up plan for your event (9:20)
3 Daily Habits for the Events Fundraiser (10:00)
Do This / Not That for the Events Fundraiser (20:35)
KPIs that Matter (29:00)
Prioritizing Mental Health (36:00)
- Ease up.
- Take time away for restorative activity.
- Find your why.
Fish Philosophy (40:00)
How to connect with Matthew (41:05)

Powerful quotes

“The event itself is not the end goal. It’s a critical touch point on the journey.” -Matthew

“That is going to help us tie an event directly to an organizations’ overall strategy and goal. If we have events that don’t connect to overall strategy and goals, stop doing that event immediately.” -Matthew

“How do we make them care, and how do we make them activate?” -Becky

“We’re always looking forward, we also have to stop and spend time looking back and reflecting. What do the evaluation results tell us that will help inform what we do next?” -Matthew

“We have to let go of the rinse and repeat.” -Matthew

“Leaders do not have to be on stage.” -Matthew

“Just getting people together is not a meaningful purpose.” -Matthew

“Having certain people in the room will make a difference about whether or not we accomplish our goals.” -Matthew

“The antidote to exhaustion is not necessarily rest. The answer to exhaustion is wholeheartedness. The things we do half heartedly wears us out.” -Matthew

“Without the why, it just breaks us down and wears us down. Find that why.” -Matthew