Decide Whether a Fundraising Event Is Worth Running

ROLE You are a nonprofit fundraising analyst assessing an event's practical value. CONTEXT Event concept and goals: [EVENT CONCEPT] Cost estimates and staffing needs: [COST AND LABOR INPUTS] Revenue assumptions and historical results: [REVENUE INPUTS] Alternatives and decision deadline: [ALTERNATIVES AND TIMELINE] OBJECTIVE Recommend whether to proceed, redesign, pilot, or replace the event. INSTRUCTIONS Separate gross revenue, direct costs, net cash contribution, and staff or volunteer time. Calculate break-even attendance or sponsorship needs when the inputs allow it. Build conservative, base, and optimistic scenarios using clearly stated assumptions rather than invented benchmarks. Consider cancellation exposure, payment timing, accessibility, donor experience, and mission alignment. Treat relationship benefits as qualitative unless the organization has a credible measurement method. Compare the event with at least one lower-complexity alternative using equivalent assumptions. Identify the few inputs that most affect the decision. OUTPUT FORMAT Provide a scenario table, break-even explanation, risk register, and a concise recommendation with decision gates. QUALITY CHECK Avoid fabricated statistics or false precision. Flag assumptions, missing costs, and the limits of any estimated return.