Fundraiser events are one of the most powerful tools for charities and nonprofits. It’s the atmosphere of a live event that allows people to sense the feeling of connection and inspiration to donate. The first step is understanding what it takes to create a successful fundraiser that people are willing to attend.
Before even taking any action, ask yourself these questions:
Who do you want to raise money for? So what are the basic steps in creating a successful fundraiser? What is the purpose of your event? What can I do to ensure it is focused, engaging, and able to raise money?
If you have decided on moving forward with an event, don’t worry! Take a deep breath and follow these tips for a successful outcome.
When planning:
Step 1: Define your cause
Make it clear what you are raising money for, as it should be something the event creator is passionate about; it is easier to create an event about a topic that you truly feel strongly about. Another important aspect of defining the cause is creating a clear promotional strategy to set in motion a path of action.
Step 2: Set a fundraising goal
How much are you aiming to fundraise? A set goal can help motivate you along with volunteers and attendees to reach that specific amount at a minimum. Make sure to take into consideration ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and other forms of donation.
Step 3: Develop your budget
This goes hand or hand with the fundraising goal. Be sure to list our budget for venue space rentals, invitations, catering, and more. A great tool to cut costs is to partner with sponsors also such as Business Expo Center and our recommendations.
Step 4: Effective Marketing
Once the event planning is finished, the next crucial step is to make the event known to the audience. This step requires research on the location, target audience, as well as potential sponsors for the event.
Step 5: Reach out to Friends and Family
One of the best ways to spread a fundraiser event is through word of mouth or personal online messages to loved ones. These are the people who are most likely going to support you and put the effort into helping you reach the fundraiser goal.
Step 6: Hire Volunteers
Along with reaching out to friends and family, make it clear they can help support your event through volunteering. Each volunteer can make a huge difference in terms of stress and workload at the actual event.
Step 7: Express Your Appreciation
This is the most important part of a fundraiser event. Everyone supporting the event is devoting their time or money to support your cause and their efforts need to be recognized. It is crucial that people leave your event feeling appreciated for their contributions and efforts to the cause, especially if you plan to make another fundraiser in the future.
With these tips and tricks you can organize a successful fundraiser, but ensure you’re optimizing the time for it
Reserve a space today and start planning your next fundraiser!
