Planning a fundraiser is easier then you may think.
So you are having a Fundraiser, and do not know where to start. I know your most likely wondering how to organize a fundraiser. These charity fundraisers are easier to organize then you think. Raising funds, charity event can be done easily following the ideas listed within this article.
There are a few things to keep in mind when organizing a fundraiser of any type. People not only come to support a cause, they also come to have a good time. Therefore, we need to wrap all those elements into one good time if possible. If you keep the cost low, offer great music and food people will come to your charity event.
Charity:
Choose your charity well, pick a charity that most people know, otherwise you will need to heavily promote it.
Music:
Everyone loves to hear music, and it just helps the party atmosphere. When choosing music you have to say to yourself, do I want live music or a disc jockey.
If you choose live music, you need to find a couple of bands who will use this as a practice session, donate their time, or at least give you a discount. Make sure you pick bands whose music flows together nicely for oblivious reasons.
Food:
If you belong to a charity group that has a large volunteer base, you can use volunteers to make the food, thus saving you money. Bigger charities have many types of volunteers make sure you utilize them. Do not be afraid to ask them to cook for you.
If you fundraiser is for the victim of a medical of natural disaster, then do not be afraid to ask family or friends to help cook the food or bring a dish to pass. Have some people bring in the ingredients to spaghetti and have others cooks it. A box or two of spaghetti does not hurt anyone’s budget.
Use a local deli to get supplies to make hoagies to sell at your fundraiser. Have volunteers build the hoagies at the event. I would stick with the combo of ham, turkey or a combination of the two only.
You could always seek donations of food from local businesses but that really requires many people skills. If the local businesses cannot donate food, then ask for a discount.
As you can see, there are many possibilities for gather enough food to feed a small army.
Beverages:
If your charity event is for families then I suggest you stick with non-alcoholic beverages so that everyone has a good time. Personally, I feel alcoholic beverages have no need to be around at any event that children will be present at.
Grab a few of those huge drink coolers and have juice in one, and iced tea in another. You will also want to have coffee and water for consumption. Most McDonalds will allow you to use their big drink coolers, and will give you the cups to go with it.
Decorations:
Depending on the event, you may want some decorations for your fundraiser. Do not be afraid to ask volunteers for this.
Any one who is handy with a computer will be able to provide banners or other paper goods for you on their computer.
Tickets:
The price of tickets depends on what you will include. If food is too being included then of course the price of the food will need to be factored into the tickets. Some times, it is easier to have one set price for the charity event rather then having separate things going on.
Some things to keep in mind when figuring ticket prices are, the total of all the costs involved with the event. Of course, you will want to keep all the prices down because that will factor into the final cost of the tickets. This will give the biggest part of the funds raided to the charity.
Tickets created and then printed off on a computer, thus saving money for you. This is fine for most small town events. A small desktop publishing company with their name on the ticket, thus generating business for them, can print off the tickets.
Raffles:
These can be a significant money raiser for any charity event. Call local businesses for gifts to raffle off, many will donate to an event if you can prove you are doing a legitimate event. You can either do a blind raffle, or set bowls in front of the items so people get to choose what they wish to win.
Remember to do a 50/50 raffle. Almost everyone wants the chance to win cash and this is a great way to raise quick funds.
Your local Wal-Mart will have the huge rolls of tickets in the stationary department and they are perfect for this part of your event.
Promotion of event.
Have someone create fliers on their computer advertising your event. Then hang these around the town.
Have the local newspaper or radio do a feature story on the event. It’s good news for them and your self.
Let the local cable company know you are doing an event. Time Warner offers local PSA’s to charities; these are free public service announcements.
