Fundraising events

Interesting article on fundraising for non-profits (I found linked from a different article in Slate).

In short, the average non-profit spends $0.13 for every $1.00 they bring in in donations.  But, "special events" (charity balls, dinners, etc) cost $1.33 for every dollar they raise, and only 15% of these orgs raised money more efficiently using special events vs. other means of fundraising.

Granted, this does not seem to account for spillover effects of the special events (especially awareness raising, and elevating the status of the cause), but it appears that special events can be a money pit for many orgs.  Even though Ayacucho Mission's fundraising dinner turned a sizeable profit, there are likely more efficient ways to raise money for the cause.