Big or small, charity fundraisers are usually fun social events people look forward to attending. If you’re part of the planning committee, however, these events can become challenging, to say the least. Making sure everyone has a good time and is encouraged to drop some money into the hat can be challenging. If you’re on your first charity event planning committee, here’s what you can do to ensure its success:
1. The Décor
The décor of your charitable event should match the type of event it is. Depending on the subject matter and size, this could be anything from formal to casual. One thing that works well in almost any instance is fabric banners.
Fabric banners come in a wide range of sizes and can display anything from images to text. There is no end to the messages these media screens can convey, and when combined with the other decor in the space, it can create quite an eye-catching display.
2. The Budget
They say you have to spend money to make money, and in the case of a charitable event, this is especially true. While it’s likely you’ll get a lot of donations for the special occasion, it’s likely you’ll still need to shell out some cash to make it a go.
The most successful charity fundraisers start with a budget and then stick to that budget as much as possible. Knowing ahead of time what you have to spend will help you know what’s most important so you can plan accordingly.
3. The Event’s Support Group
Every charitable event has a group of people who support the cause and the event itself. Whether it’s by providing monetary support or physical support in planning, preparing, and executing, every successful fundraiser needs a support group.
Beyond planning the event and making it happen, however, this group should also be in charge of spreading the word and encouraging others to attend and give. The members of this group may also have important connections that will further the success of the cause.
4. Multiple Reasons to Give
When guests attend a charity event, they expect to have to pay for the ticket, but giving them other reasons to give throughout the event will ensure your fundraiser is a success. For example, you could host a silent auction or a raffle. The key to getting people to participate in these things is to make sure the prizes match the guest list.
If you’re hosting a Mother’s Day event, for instance, a spa day package would be a great prize to win. On the other hand, if your guest list includes several men of distinction, 18 holes at the country club might be a better prize.
5. An Experience Worth Donating For
When people attend a charity event, they expect to have an experience worth paying for. As such, your event must be such an experience your guests feel as though they need to compensate you for it.
Depending on your budget, this may mean obtaining a special venue, hosting a formal dinner, or having a celebrity or other influential person attend. Just make sure the experience you provide is in line with the objective of the event.
At the end of the day, hosting a charity fundraiser is a lot of work. Having said that, it’s all worth it if it achieves your goals for your organization. Use the tips outlined above to ensure your next charity fundraiser is a huge success.
