Innovative Fundraising for a Mission-based Organization

Solution Seekers

Elaine Honig is the Founder and CEO of STUDIO 4Forty, a national leader in strategic nonprofit planning and signature event fundraising. In 2005, Elaine developed Wine Women & Shoes where she served as a local community fundraiser before launching her next fundraising concept, Farm to Table (aux). In 2016, she merged both businesses to create STUDIO 4Forty, which has now raised over $85M for its nonprofit partners.

Elaine currently serves on the board of the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation and has previously served on the boards of The Napa County Land Trust, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, and The Napa County Farm Bureau among many other organizations.

In this episode...

Event planning in the nonprofit space is a complex process that requires careful consideration of factors such as sponsorships, management, and even auctions. Most business owners are not equipped to handle the demand or have the resources to successfully execute a fundraiser. So how can you develop an effective planning strategy to ensure you’re providing value to your organization?

Elaine Honig coaches clients by offering a handbook that advises them on navigating sponsorships, event setups, and strategic calls. When creating the concept for a fundraiser, Elaine encourages business owners to structure their event around three crucial guidelines: cultivating entertainment, raising money, and communicating their mission. By conferring and collaborating with an event planner, you can develop fundraisers to amplify your company’s message.

In today’s episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck sits down with Elaine Honig, Founder and CEO of STUDIO 4Forty, to discuss how she executes customized events to sustain value. Elaine shares her strategic fundraising process for clients, common mistakes clients make when planning events, and how she transformed challenges into unique opportunities.