Planning is key to a successful fundraiser.
Whether you're planning an elaborate formal dinner or a garage sale, you need to think carefully about make your fundraiser effective and fun. You can apply some general principles to any type of fundraiser to make it more organized and more profitable.
Know Your Audience
Before you choose what type of fundraiser to stage, think carefully about the people who are interested in your cause. Consider what type of event they'd be most likely to attend, and think about their income level and available cash. If you are raising money for your children's school, you want the event to be accessible to all families, so an event with a big upfront ticket cost may not be appropriate. Opt for a fun event with free admission but plenty of chances to buy items or enter raffles. If you are targeting wealthy donors for a high-profile cause, you should plan something suitably extravagant, such as a dinner dance and upscale silent auction.
Keep Costs Down
The very best way to ensure you make plenty of money at your fundraising event is to keep your initial costs relatively low. Remember, you are raising money for a good cause, so you should feel comfortable asking people and companies to either donate items or give you a substantial break on the cost. Ask your venue to donate space for free on a slow night. See if you can negotiate a deal with the caterers in return for some nice free advertising at your event. Borrow items for d cor rather than spending money.
Advertise
If you're going to make money, you need plenty of people to attend. Make sure your event is well publicized. Again, you should try to keep costs down while you're doing this, so expensive newspapers ads may not be the best method. Make sure the event is on your Facebook page and create some buzz on Twitter. Instead of paper invites, use an email invite. Place notices in community newspapers, church bulletins and any other free listing services you can find. If your event has an unusual twist or you can create an appealing photo opportunity, see if you can interest your local newspaper in sending a reporter to create a news item in the weeks before your event.
Money Making
Design lots of different ways to make money into your event so that those who have a little extra available cash are tempted to spend it while they're there. Decide what your principal source of fundraising for the event will be, whether it's ticket sales, a silent auction, a sale or something else. Next, add as many extra smaller fundraising opportunities to the event as you can--include a bake sale, organize a basket raffle, sell some donated crafts, or charge for a series of fun kids' activities. Don't forget to set out a simple donation jar.
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