Nonprofit Major Donor Stewardship Event Planning
Major donor stewardship events are high-ROI investments in relationship building that convert prospects to donors and retain major gift donors. This checklist ensures every stewardship event is intentional, personalized, and moves relationships forward.
- Industry: Nonprofit
- Frequency: Per Event
- Estimated Time: Ongoing during planning; 3 hours day-of
- Role: Development Director / Executive Director
- Total Items: 26
Guest Strategy and Curation
Plan guest list strategy.
- Guest list purpose defined (cultivation, retention, upgrade, or recognition)?
- Event format (intimate dinner vs. larger reception) matched to cultivation goal?
- Invitations personalized with donor history and relationship context?
- Board members assigned to host specific guests based on relationships?
- Donor research completed for all attendees?
Program and Content
Plan event program and content.
- Compelling mission impact story prepared for presentation?
- Beneficiary or program participant available to share personal story?
- Organizational financial health talking points prepared?
- Hard ask avoided at cultivation events per donor relations policy?
- Follow-up ask strategy planned for post-event?
Event Logistics
Confirm event logistics.
- Venue appropriate for relationship building (seating, atmosphere)?
- Name tags with appropriate information prepared for guests?
- Leave-behind materials (annual report, impact summary) prepared?
- Photography plan approved with privacy considerations?
Follow-Up Protocol
Plan post-event follow-up.
- Personalized thank-you plan within 48 hours of event?
- Event notes and relationship updates entered in CRM within 24 hours?
- Next cultivation step identified for each attendee before event ends?
- Any pledge commitments made at event documented immediately in writing?
Donor Privacy
Protect donor privacy at the event.
- Guest list kept confidential and not shared among guests?
- Guest consent obtained before posting photos or identifying attendees on social media?
- Donor information materials secured during and after event?
Event Evaluation
Evaluate event effectiveness.
- Post-event debrief completed to assess relationship progress for each guest?
- Event ROI tracked through subsequent gifts within 12 months?
- Decision documented on whether to repeat event format?
- Event budget vs actual reviewed?
- Staff debrief completed with lessons learned documented?
Related Nonprofit Checklists
- Nonprofit Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Campaign Compliance
- Nonprofit Special Event Revenue Compliance and Reporting
- Nonprofit Year-End Annual Appeal Campaign Management
- Nonprofit Fundraising Ethics and Donor Rights Compliance
- Nonprofit Program Service Quality and Outcomes Audit
- Nonprofit Beneficiary Intake and Services Coordination
- Nonprofit Program Outcomes and Impact Measurement Report
- Nonprofit Grant Application Readiness Review
Related Fundraising Events Checklists
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Why Use This Nonprofit Major Donor Stewardship Event Planning?
This nonprofit major donor stewardship event planning helps nonprofit teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for development director / executive director professionals, this checklist covers 26 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Nonprofit Major Donor Stewardship Event Planning cover?
This checklist covers 26 inspection items across 6 sections: Guest Strategy and Curation, Program and Content, Event Logistics, Follow-Up Protocol, Donor Privacy, Event Evaluation. It is designed for nonprofit operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately Ongoing during planning; 3 hours day-of.
Who should use this Nonprofit Major Donor Stewardship Event Planning?
This checklist is designed for Development Director / Executive Director professionals in the nonprofit industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.