Staging a fundraising event is not a task for the faint of heart. Even the smallest event requires an enormous amount of planning and organization to make it successful. Davina K. Brewer of 3Hats Communications, “Anyone who has done an event will tell you: plan, plan, and plan. You can't start too early.”

Tablets are the new go-to device; they combine the functionality of a computer, but are portable like a cell phone. From a non-profit standpoint, this makes running a fundraising event much easier, everything they need for the event can be stored on the tablet. Staff members armed with tablets can easily register participants, collect donations and even conduct silent auctions.

Nonprofit Technology News contributor Paul Acocella talks with iWave about their online prospect research platform used for identify donors. Key to their system is the quality of the data and ease of use for their user interface. 

Successful solicitation depends on the story you present even more than the perceived appeal of the cause. The following are text excerpts from end of the year solicitations from two charities.