Success Stories
Success Stories
McEvoy & Associates specializes in developing and implementing successful
issue-based event planning and fundraising strategies for non-profit organizations
and political candidates. Melanie McEvoy, founder and president, is an
award-winning strategist and fundraiser who has raised millions of dollars
for her clients through highly effective fundraising campaigns and events.
The following success stories demonstrate how McEvoy & Associates use their expertise to develop fundraising programs and events that are tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client.
Fundraising Event – Citizens
Union/Citizens Union Foundation Annual Dinner
Since 2002, McEvoy & Associates has managed the annual black tie fundraising
dinner for Citizen’s Union—an organization founded in the
19th century to promote more informed citizens and effective city government—and
its research and education affiliate, Citizens Union Foundation.
McEvoy & Associates worked extensively with the Board of Directors
to expand the invitation list to the annual dinner and handled many of
the on-site details to ensure the event proceeded successfully.
Result: The annual fundraising dinner generated a 23% increase in revenue.
Fundraising Event – Night
of Olana
McEvoy & Associates was asked to manage the 2003 and 2004 Night Of
Olana benefit—a gala fundraiser for the preservation of Olana, the
home and studio of the 19th century painter Frederic Edwin Church. The
event brought together hundreds of guests from the diverse worlds of art,
design, fashion, philanthropy, entertainment and finance. The evening
featured a sit-down dinner, dancing and a silent auction of Olana-inspired
contemporary art.
McEvoy & Associates developed and implemented strategies to increase revenue for the event, such as upgrading the suggested contribution (or “ask”) for event chairs and culling high-donor prospects from the Olana Board of Directors and prominent members of the art community.
Result: The 2003 event pulled in three times the revenue of the previous year.
The 2004 event pulled in double the revenue of the 2003 event.
Fundraising Event – New
York Landmarks Preservation Foundation
McEvoy & Associates was asked to provide event planning strategies
for the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation’s bi-annual luncheon,
whose proceeds are used to fund its education outreach, preservation activities
and public awareness forums.
McEvoy & Associates turned the bi-annual luncheon into a very successful (and profitable) annual event called “Lunch at a Landmark.” These high-dollar fundraising events are held in a historic New York City landmark building and feature a guest presenter from a field related to landmark preservation.
Result: The foundation’s fundraising event revenue has tripled as a result of holding the luncheon