Picture source: Pixaby

Fundraising events can be a great way to raise funds for your chosen charity. But as with organising any event, they can also be time-consuming and require a lot of careful planning. You want to host an event that makes an impact, is worthy of attending and gives people good reason to part with their cash. Whether your event is small-scale or large, the same objectives apply. You want to host a successful event that brings awareness to your charity and generates enough funds to make a difference. For objectives to planning, and marketing to hosting, we’re going to take a look at the ways you can host a profitable fundraising function.

Purpose And Goals

Before you even begin getting your ideas down on paper you need to work out what your purpose and goals are. Is this solely an event to raise money? Or are you also hoping to gain media publicity and raise awareness. These two purposes may influence who you invite. For publicity you may want to include more PR’s and journalist on your guest list. For fundraising you may want to choose high-profile business owners and wealthy donors in the local community. And also members of the public who are keen to help a charity. You will also want to have a fundraising target in mind. This target can affect the type of event you choose to host. If it’s minimal you may want to host a cake and food sale or perhaps a charity-thon. If it’s larger, you might want to consider an auction or dinner and dance where you can get local businesses involved. Don’t forget that your fundraising money goal will be your net profit, after expenses have been deducted.

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Hosting

Hosting an event will require leadership skills and careful planning. Events can include anything from children’s sports days to auctions and battle of the bands to a bingo night. They may include a concert with local talent or an all-day sponsored dance-athon. Or perhaps a Samba and Salsa night or a pyjama party. There are many ways you can make an impact and generate ticket sales. When hosting a prolific event you will need to make sure you carefully plan the day or night. For an evening do make sure you have enough banquet chairs and tables for all of your guests. And secure a good sound system and catering company. For daytime events make sure every knows the times they need to be on board and what they need to bring to make the event a success. Make sure to provide enough drinks and food for everyone involved and see if you can secure local sponsors to help out for free.

Golf fundraisers work really well for a day event that all the family can enjoy. The key is to make your event a FUN day out for all. This engages people to join in with all the activities on offer and may make them part with their money a little easier. Always think about your audience when planning how you will host your event. Ask venues if they will consider lending their location for free as it is for charity. You can also appeal to local restaurants for catering donations as in return it is great publicity for their brand as well. Remember to include prizes on the day/evening as well. People like to donate to good causes, but prizes are an added draw to put in more dollars. Try and get donations from local companies such as clothes or sports companies and beauty salons and hairdressers. And don’t forget to make sure there is enough car parking space for all your guests.

Picture source: Pixaby

Promotion and Ticket Sales

In the same way that a product launch needs a swish marketing campaign, your fundraising event will need the same. Go for eye-catching flyers and do numerous leaflet drops. As if you can put an advertisement in the local paper free of charge, as it’s a fundraiser. Use your non-profit’s mailing list and utilize social media such as Facebook and Twitter to get details of your event out there. Work out how to tier ticket prices. Will there be different prices for VIP’s and the media? And also decide who is in charge of the ticket sales and how you will collate the information and ship the tickets.

And as a last note, don’t forget to send personal thank you letters to all your contributor’s, volunteers and sponsors. It goes a long way to showing how grateful you are and makes people want to do the same again.