If you’ve gotten a catering or A/V quote lately, you know: the prices are out of control. Five figures for chicken on a salad and a microphone? It’s enough to make any nonprofit event planner want to cancel everything and cry into a spreadsheet.

But here’s the thing: we still need in-person events. We still need beautiful, welcoming spaces that feel right for our missions. We just can’t afford to throw money around.
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That’s why today I’m sharing how to create stunning event decor for $250 or less –  without sacrificing your brand, your sanity, or your goals. Let’s make every dollar count and still wow your donors.

Before you add anything to your Amazon cart or hit the dollar store, pause.

Ask yourself:
What should donors feel when they walk into the space?
And:
What does our mission look like in color, texture, and style?

Use your brand colors as your base palette. Add a neutral (like cream or gray) and one metallic (gold, silver, rose gold) for a little pop and polish, especially for more formal evening events. This is how you create cohesion – and it helps you avoid that “Pinterest mishmash” look.
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🎨 Need help visualizing? Use Canva to build a simple vision board for your event. Drop in colors, photos, and textures. You don’t need to be a designer – just get the look clear in your head before you start sourcing. (Confession: I might be a bit of vision board addict. I do these for any kind of visual planning, including my kids’ birthday parties.)

If you take one thing from this post, take this: there are affordable fabrics that can make any space look expensive.

Buy bolts of voile, gossamer, chiffon, or tulle to drape across tables, hang behind a podium, or soften up harsh lighting. It instantly elevates even a basic space.
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💡 Pro tip: My favorite is a gossamer/tulle combo. Use your venue-provided tablecloths (usually white or black), layer a strip of gossamer as a runner, and tie a bow on each side in one of your brand colors. Bonus points if it’s an evening event and you pick something with some sparkle in the material!

Don’t just lay everything flat and call it done. Think like a stylist.

Use:

• Crates or boxes (draped with fabric) to add height to food displays
• Battery-powered flameless candles for a soft glow
• Silk greenery to create movement across tables
• Small risers under platters or signs for extra visual interest

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Most venues can provide these kinds of risers for food displays but if you are doing a total DIY event, thrift stores are your friend. Layered spaces feel intentional – and they photograph beautifully, too. Here’s an example:

If your decor only lasts one night, you’ve overspent.

Invest in reusable pieces like:

• LED flameless pillar candles and tealights
• Stretch table covers
• White or clear glass vases that can be used with different themes
• Simple signage you can swap out or update each year

Also, if your table runners don’t have any food stains, you can reuse them again. Just untie any bows and fold everything neatly, storing for next year.
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You’ll not only save money long-term but having an “event kit” will make setup so much easier next time around. And it’s a better option for the environment too!

Here’s an example budget and vision board for an upcoming fundraising luncheon I’m hosting. I’ve used this method for years and know it will look great.
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Table runners: $143
Tulle: $30
Total: $173 (round up to $200)

💡 Pro tip: Don’t forget about decorating the registration table if you have one. That’s the first impression your guests/donors will see, make sure it’s on brand too.

Want another example? Here’s the vision board and budget for an upcoming evening Gala event:

Tablecloths for high boys: $60
Tulle: $20
Flameless candles: $22
Fabric: $115
Total: $217 (Round up to $250)

And lastly here’s one more vision board from years past.

And here’s how this vision board actually manifested across several different events with minimal new décor items added:

​And here are some centerpieces I did with real roses and sunflowers for another event, just tie some of the tulle in your brand colors around the clear glass vase to customize to any color you need.

One of the easiest ways to arrange flowers is to combine roses and hydrangeas. The large hydrangea blossoms take up a lot of space and cover a multitude of sins and the roses elevate the whole piece and add more color.

If you want to know more about DIY floral arrangements, I’ll be doing a whole series on this later this month on my Tiktok channel – follow me @realdealfundraising. (And if you’re not on TikTok, those posts will get reposted to Youtube @jcloudrealdeal.)

I’d love to hear how you create meaningful, mission-centered event spaces without blowing the budget. Drop your favorite tips in the comments or tag me if you build your own inspiration board using these ideas.

Let’s normalize great design that doesn’t break the bank.
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Cheers!

​PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!

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• Embrace the Theme

When it comes to nonprofit fundraising, one thing is clear: Your mission is the heart of your organization. But while your cause drives everything you do, a strong, memorable brand is what helps you stand out and attract the major gifts that will take your work to the next level.

Whether you’re at a large, established institution or running a smaller startup nonprofit, your brand should reflect who you are, what you stand for, and how people can get involved. A polished brand boosts credibility and builds trust, but a memorable one moves people to action.

Before thinking about logos, colors, or marketing campaigns, start with the foundation of your nonprofit brand: your mission. What drives your organization? What problem(s) are you solving? What’s your CEO’s vision for the future? These aren’t just feel-good statements – they should be at the core of every message you share.

Example: The Monson Free Library

This small library in Maine has embraced its fun and quirky side by creating TikTok videos that showcase the staff’s personality while highlighting their programs. By tapping into the creativity and passion of their team, they’ve built a brand that’s as unique and welcoming as their services. The community now sees the Monson Free Library as more than a place for books – it’s a place to have fun, get involved, and support something bigger than themselves. Learn more.

Actionable Tip: Start by asking yourself these questions:

• What do we stand for?
• How do we create positive change in people’s lives?
• What kind of emotional connection do we want to build with our audience?​

Answer these clearly, and you’ve got the heart of your brand. Everything else builds from there.

When you think of branding, visual elements like logos, color palettes, and fonts come to mind. These are crucial for creating a consistent, professional presence. But let’s be real – sometimes, nonprofits get so caught up in the “rules” of branding that they lose the ability to stay nimble. There’s a balance between maintaining brand integrity and being flexible enough to seize opportunities in the moment.

Many nonprofits create brand guides with rigid rules for logos, colors, and language. And while I love a good style guide, if these guidelines slow you down or make it harder to engage donors, it’s time to rethink them. A major gift might hinge on a timely, heartfelt social media post or a quick thank-you email. If your guidelines require three layers of approval for every little thing, you could miss your moment.

Example: The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project underwent a major rebrand in 2019, replacing a formal font and muted colors with a bolder typeface and a vibrant, colorful design. The updated branding, along with fresh messaging and visuals, emphasized inclusivity, hope, and support for LGBTQ+ youth. The change strengthened their identity as a safe, approachable, and supportive organization while making them more visually appealing to young people. See their rebrand.

Actionable Tip: If your branding guidelines feel like red tape, ask yourself:

• Does this branding choice serve our mission, or is it just a formality?
• Can we be more flexible in how we communicate without losing integrity?

​Now, let’s talk about the most important aspect of branding – your story. Whether you’re crafting an email appeal, a social media post, or a campaign landing page, your messaging should inspire action. Major donors don’t just give to organizations; they give to stories they believe in. That’s why it’s essential to center your messaging around the people you serve and the change you’re driving in the world.

People want to feel emotionally connected to your cause. Show them the impact they can have through the eyes of those you help.

Example: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude’s branding and messaging revolve around powerful, emotional stories of families whose lives have been transformed by their medical care. These stories create a deep personal connection, inspiring donors to give and stay engaged. Explore their storytelling approach.

Actionable Tip: Incorporate donor-centered language into your messaging:

• Focus on what the donor’s gift makes possible.
• Share authentic stories of people whose lives have been impacted by your work.
• Use visuals (photos, videos) to bring your cause to life.

A memorable nonprofit brand is more than a logo or a catchy slogan – it’s a vehicle for connection. It drives donor engagement, cultivates long-term support, and inspires major gifts. To build a brand that resonates, focus on three key principles:

1. Be flexible enough to adjust messaging and tactics based on current events, donor feedback, or unexpected opportunities. Don’t let rigid branding guidelines hinder meaningful engagement.
2. Be authentic in your communications. People give to organizations that feel genuine and trustworthy, so let your mission shine through every touchpoint.
3. Be consistent in your message and visual identity across all channels – your website, social media, and email appeals. Consistency builds recognition and trust over time.

Branding isn’t about flashy logos or catchy taglines – it’s about making an emotional connection with your supporters. When your brand reflects your mission, values, and unique story, it becomes a powerful tool for attracting major gifts and building lasting relationships.

Your nonprofit’s story is powerful. Make it memorable. Make it matter. And don’t be afraid to let your passion shine through.

Now – it’s your turn. Have you been through a rebrand? Was the process the transformation you hoped for? Do you feel your branding guidelines and processes support your fundraising work or hold you back? Let me know in the comments!

​Cheers!

PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!

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