Introducing SavAdate, the Online Event Planning Hub Exclusively for Non-Profits
Mt. Kisco, NY (PRWEB) December 01, 2014 -- How many times does it happen? A nonprofit puts together a spectacular event only to find out after everything is in the works that there is another event set for the same day in the same area targeted to a similar audience. But what if there was a national master calendar that showed all event activity so organizations could judiciously pick their event date and not have to compete for guests, volunteers, revenue, and resources? Enter SavAdate, a new online event planning hub.
SavAdate is the creation of Holly Alexander, founder of Topspin Communications and veteran of social media marketing who counts numerous nonprofits among her clients. After years of putting together social media campaigns for fundraising events, Alexander and her clients would oftentimes find out just as the invitations went in the mail that their success was being hindered by a competing event on the same date. Alexander decided there had to be a better way to coordinate space on the calendar so that everyone could come out a winner. “There are 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States and only 365 days in a year. There’s no way to alleviate the fierce competition for every dollar but maybe, with more careful planning, nonprofits can do a better job of sharing available dates.”
Maximizing Exposure, Attendance, and Fundraising
SavAdate allows nonprofits across the country to scan dates under consideration and register their event, along with details, contact info, and links to the organization’s website. Search can be done by date, location, organization, and type of event -- such as a gala, golf outing, or walk-a-thon. The site is designed to maximize exposure, attendance, and fundraising – to place the organization and event in the limelight at no charge to nonprofits. Just as crucial, it saves time and energy worrying about potential conflicts. Allyson Halm, director of Adopt-A-Dog in Armonk, NY, was one of the first to register, listing the nonprofit’s signature annual fundraiser, “Puttin’ on the Dog”. When Alexander explained SavAdate’s premise, Halm registered right away, saying, “We were very excited because the competition for the right date is just that – a competition.”
It’s not just the one-time event that can cause nonprofits tons of worry. For national organizations that need to coordinate event dates across the country, the issue becomes even more pressing. Dennis Chillemi, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Executive Director Connecticut, Westchester, Hudson Valley says, “There’s nothing like SavAdate in the market. It helps our organizers know what is happening at the most granular level and what’s competing for local volunteer time and community resources. It’s a unique combination of market intelligence and exposure in a neat, clean package.” Chillemi was so impressed with SavAdate he is having all his LLS events posted on the site and is recommending that other chapters of LLS do so as well. “We think of SavAdate as an extension of our website. It puts all our events in one place that people who want to work with nonprofits can easily access.”
A Connection to Vendors, Resources, Even a Dividend
The centralized online hub also features a vendor advertising component, allowing businesses from caterers, florists, photographers, and musicians to silent auction solutions, software providers, and nonprofit consultants to put their services directly at the fingertips of those planning upcoming events. ”When you’re on SavAdate listing an upcoming fundraiser, you’re thinking about the success of that event and what you could do better. Maybe a different style cuisine, less expensive rentals, or a party planner to tie it all together. Gone are the days of searching and asking around endlessly. On SavAdate, they’re all just a click away.”
Alexander has spent much of her career supporting nonprofits and helping to make their events successful. Seeing how hard organizations work at fundraising, she also created the SavAdate Dividend Fund — 10% of SavAdate’s annual profits will go to the fund. Each year, beginning in 2015, any nonprofit registered with SavAdate is eligible to apply for a grant. “Being immersed in the world of worthy causes, I know how much every dollar means to these organizations and along with offering the advantages of SavAdate, this is my added way of helping.”
SavAdate already has more than 100 charities registered nationwide and the list grows weekly, from local organization’s in SavAdate’s Westchester County and Fairfield County backyard to those in Florida and California. “The issue of picking a date is universal,” notes Alexander. When organizations hear of the concept, Alexander says the reaction is: “It’s about time!”
Non-profits and vendors who would like more information about SavAdate or would like to register can visit http://www.savadate.com or call (800) 680-1063.
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Holly Alexander, SavAdate, http://savadate.com/, +1 914-301-5321, [email protected]
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