When it comes to planning a fundraiser, you want to be sure you put every ounce of thought and preparation you have into your event. Whether it’s a fundraiser for your small business or a non-profit organization you feel passion about, you want to make sure your event is the biggest success it can be. Raising that money is your biggest goal, but you also want to make sure that everyone at your event is happy and properly cared for. If you want to be sure your fundraiser raises the funds needed, keeps everyone happy, and achieves your mission statement, take a look at these six steps for success.
Know What You Want
You should have a goal in mind before you begin your fundraiser. You should know how much money you want to spend, and how much you need to raise. Your budget will help you decide on what materials and activities to spend, and your goal will help you understand what needs to be done. Can you sell tickets for your event? Should you rely only on event-wide purchases? Whatever it comes down to, knowing these figures ahead of time will help.
Know What You Need
After you know what you’re aiming for, you should have a better sense of the type of event you should plan. Is it a sit-down dinner? A gala? A free carnival in a parking lot? A marathon? There are hundreds of event ideas, but only one will be the absolute best for you. Once you’ve decided which type of fundraiser you want to host, you can make a list of what you need. Do you need to get in contact with your local government about a marathon route? Will you need services such as bounce house rentals in New York, San Francisco, Florida or the Bahamas? No matter where you’re located, you can get the equipment you need as you plan the details of your fundraiser.
Know What You’re Doing
We all wish we knew how things were going to go ahead of time, but of course we don’t. When it comes to your fundraiser, however, you should be as prepared as possible! Hire a team to work with you on both the large and small details. If you’re hosting large events on a regular basis, you may want to create a standardized program for screening volunteers ahead of time. Look at companies that offer a visitor management system with geofencing capabilities, because they’ll be able to screen your volunteer force, as well. It’s important to take the necessary precautions and be sure to delegate tasks wisely so that you aren’t overwhelmed. On the day of the event, make sure every booth and stand is manned, and that each group has one person in charge.
When it comes to planning a fundraiser, the details can get complicated. How do you market? Do you serve food? If so, do you charge for it? While you have many more decisions ahead of you, as you plan a spectacular fundraiser, these first three steps will help you go forward. Soon, a carefully mapped-out plan will have you feeling confident about the success of your upcoming event.
