nonprofit event planning Archives - The Nonprofit Imagineers

From Audience to Insiders: 5 Ways Behind-the-Scenes Stories Increase Membership Engagement and Retention

During the Winter Olympics, millions watched athletes compete. But what people kept sharing online weren’t just medal ceremonies. It was the behind-the-scenes crews: The curling ice technicians preparing the surface. The ski jump teams clearing the runway between jumps. The volunteers resetting equipment in freezing temperatures.

Engagement Is Not Attendance—It’s Belonging

Building Communities That Last in an Infinite Game Engagement is often measured in numbers. How many people showed up. How many signed up. How many participated. How many came back. Those numbers matter—but they don’t tell the whole story. Because people can attend without engaging. They

How Hanukkah’s Fried Foods Explain What Engagement and Events Are Really For

Every Hanukkah gathering eventually revolves around food. Latkes. Sufganiyot. Oil splatters. Powdered sugar everywhere. The food is imperfect, indulgent, and often a little messy. And it is almost always the most memorable part of the experience. That is not an accident. Hanukkah’s foods are not meant

The Cold Open: Starting Events With an Emotional Hook Before the Welcome Remarks

You know the feeling. You walk into a room for a nonprofit event: people milling about, small talk, a PowerPoint on the screen… and then someone finally says, “Welcome, everyone.” By that point, attention is divided, energy is low, and the first few minutes are wasted

Let the Wild Rumpus Start: Inviting Members Into Adventure and Belonging

“And Max said, ‘Let the wild rumpus start!’” When Max puts on his wolf suit and sails to the land of the Wild Things, he’s doing what many of our community members secretly long to do — step into a space where they can be bold,

The View from Down Here: Designing Events Everyone Can Enjoy

When Walt Disney and his Imagineers designed Disneyland, they paid attention to the smallest details — including the height of shop windows. They made sure even the youngest child could walk right up, press their nose against the glass, and be captivated by the treasures inside.

5 Engagement Tips Inspired by the Return of Mom Jeans

When mom jeans made their comeback, fashion experts didn’t call it a mistake. They called it a shift. After years of skinny fits and complicated cuts, the cycle swung back to what felt natural and comfortable. Engagement in nonprofits works the same way. People don’t always

S’more Than Just an Event: The Campfire Approach to Community Engagement

There’s something magical about a campfire. The smell of smoke on a breezy night. The laughter of friends sharing inside jokes. The warmth that draws people in, even if they started off sitting on the outskirts. The quiet pause between stories when someone throws on another

What Minecraft Teaches Us About Community: Game Theory for Nonprofits

Some online games don’t come with flashy graphics or complicated rules. Instead, they offer something more powerful: a community you help build yourself. Games like Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and Among Us have captivated millions not because of competition, but because of cooperation. They succeed when players

Board Members Are Community Members First

Rethinking Board Recruitment and Engagement Through the Lens of Events and Belonging Nonprofits invest a huge amount of energy in events—galas, Shabbat dinners, fundraisers, holiday programs, volunteer drives. And often, we invite our board members to attend, help host, or even run the show. But here’s

Category: nonprofit event planning

Winter Savings!