Professional Event Coaching Reduces Burnout and Strengthens Nonprofit Fundraising in Lander

In Lander, nonprofits rely on well-attended events to raise significant portions of their operating budgets, but volunteer event planners are burning out due to lack of organization, training, and skills. When the director of the Lander Community Foundation talked with people throughout town about this known problem, she found a qualified local event planner excited to help—someone with significant experience, strong organizational skills, and a desire to strengthen the community’s nonprofit sector. She reached out to LOR to pilot a program contracting with this professional to coach and train nonprofit organizations in event planning. Rather than planning events for organizations, the event coach will work alongside them, teaching streamlined processes and helping groups develop tools, documentation, and skills to execute successful fundraising events year after year. Four to six organizations will receive direct coaching this year, and they’ll share what they learn with other nonprofits in Lander, multiplying the impact. The coach will also document event plans and create resources for the Lander Community Foundation’s website to help future planners. LOR’s funding will help contract with the professional event coordinator, reducing volunteer burnout while building lasting organizational capacity across the nonprofit sector.