Risks, Rewards and ROI for your Nonprofit Fundraising Events

Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands (PPCI) invites you to our upcoming educational meeting. Please join us in-person at noon on Wednesday, June 14^th, 2023 for a buffet lunch and presentation at Alberto’s Ristorante, 360 Main St in Hyannis.

Risks, Rewards and ROI for your Nonprofit Fundraising Events

The decision for nonprofits to plan fundraising events is not always cut and dry. It can become a multi-layered discussion with both pros and cons for large and small nonprofits alike. When considering staff resources, the return on investment, and the hours and creativity it takes to manage the logistics of event planning, organizations need to assess the risk and rewards. Join us to hear from three wise, experienced panelists speak on how to make those tough decisions, and make your event stand out while remaining financially viable and true to mission. Speakers will share insights on their successes with a mission-related large event, donor-driven house parties, and event planning outsourcing.

Our speakers include Jennifer Allard, Owner and Principal Planner at Mainsail Events & Marketing; Sue Nickerson, Director of Development at Center for Coastal Studies; and Kat Pannill, Development Manager at WE CAN; in addition to Caitlin Buckley, Capacity Building and Strategic Partnerships Officer at The Cape Cod Foundation as the facilitator of this panel.

This event is FREE to attend with advance registration for current PPCI members; and $45 per person for guests/non-members.

Space is limited!

NOTE: If you join or renew as a member during registration, you may select the PPCI member fee type to attend this event for free!

About Our Speakers

Sue Nickerson

Sue Nickerson is the Director of Development for the Center for Coastal Studies, a post she has held for the past 5 years. Sue holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tufts University, and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, also from Tufts. Sue previously held several Executive Director posts on Cape Cod, for the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, and the Cape Cod Fishermen’s Alliance. Sue also worked for the Horsley Witten Group consulting on public sector land-use planning and water quality management projects. In addition to her fundraising and development work for CCS, Sue owns and operates a commercial oyster business called Barnstable Lady Oysters out of Barnstable Harbor. She has served as an adjunct professor at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy teaching courses in Marine Resource Management and Principles of Aquaculture. Over her career Sue has served on a number of local, regional, state and nonprofit boards. In her free time she enjoys her grandchild Willough, walks with her dog, Fiona, back woods hiking and travel.

Jenn Allard

Jenn returned home to her native Cape Cod after attending college and working in hospitality in New Hampshire.   Upon returning home Jenn ran the day-to-day operations of a local nonprofit organization, finding her passion in fundraising and event planning. During her 13 years with Chatham Bars Inn, Jenn fine-tuned her event planning and management skills creating and executing many of the Inn’s signature events that locals and vacationers now consider family traditions.

With 20+ years of experience in luxury hospitality, marketing, and event management, she has grown Mainsail Events and Marketing to become a leader in the Cape Cod event industry for both for-profit and non-profit entities. Jenn has been part of PPCI for more than 5 years and serves on the Philanthropy Day committee.

Kat Pannill

Kat Pannill recently moved to Cape Cod and is thrilled to be a part of the non-profit community here as the Development Manager at WE CAN. She previously lived in Ithaca, NY where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and started her career in fundraising and volunteer management in the non-profit sector.

Kat is the point person for WE CAN’s fundraising events which make up over a third of the organization’s budget and engages over 850 people annually with the organization’s mission. Kat works closely with several volunteer committees to plan and execute events ranging from intimate house parties to WE CAN’s 450-person signature event A Day of Words, Wit and Wisdom.

Kat is a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters and a member of Leadership Cape Cod’s 2023 CLI class. Her favorite weekend activity is a low tide beach walk with her two dogs, Vin and Pemberly.

Caitlin Buckley

Caitlin’s experience in the nonprofit sector spans grant writing, grant making, coalition building, program management and program evaluation. She is currently the Capacity Building and Strategic Partnerships Officer at The Cape Cod Foundation. Caitlin began her career as a Community Health Specialist in the Community Benefits Office of Mount Auburn Hospital and as coordinator of CHNA17. There, she managed grantmaking and capacity building initiatives to community-based organizations across 6 municipalities. Most recently she directed youth, workforce development, and public health education programming at the Allston Brighton Substance Use Task Force and Groundwork Lawrence while raising funds required to expand and sustain these programs. Caitlin has a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Sociology from Brandeis University. She also holds a master’s degree in Prevention Science from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is dedicated to providing equitable pathways for individuals and organizations to become empowered and valued leaders who are capable of making the highest possible positive impact in their communities.