If you have found yourself in charge of planning a fundraiser, you may be feeling overwhelmed initially. What may seem like an easy task, planning an event to raise money for a specific organization or cause, actually has a lot of moving parts that need to be considered.
If you are just in the beginning stages of planning your fundraiser, you may not even know where to start. Participating in a charity can be an excellent choice by supporting a worthy cause. There are so many details, both large and small, to take into account. If you are stuck and don’t know what to focus on first, consider the following tips for planning a successful fundraiser:
Choose a Goal and Set a Budget
Before you get too far into planning the logistics of the day of your fundraiser, think about what the goal is. Obviously, the goal is in the name; you are hoping to raise funds. However, is there a specific dollar amount you are aiming for? Is there an item the organization needs that you would like your fundraiser to cover the cost of?
Once you have an idea of your goal and what you are hoping to be able to contribute to the organization, you will have an idea of how large the fundraiser will need to be. This will also give you a rough idea for a budget as well as a starting point for asking for donations toward the fundraiser.
Choose the Type of Fundraiser
If you are planning a fundraiser that is already established, you will not have to worry about this step. For example, if the organization has an annual golf tournament, silent auction, or basket raffle, a lot of the choices and planning are already done.
However, if you are planning a first time fundraiser or given full control of planning, you will need to consider the type of fundraiser that suits the organization or cause, as well as your goal.
Choose a Date and Book a Venue
After doing some brainstorming on your goal, budget, and type of fundraiser, now you can begin to set concrete details like a date and venue. Both of these will depend on the type of fundraiser you are planning. The date and venue should both be convenient for the donors you are hoping to attract.
If you are planning a season-specific fundraiser, your dates will be narrowed down. Venues will really depend on the type of fundraiser and could vary from a park to a ritzy hotel and everything in between.
Book Vendors
After choosing a date and venue, you will need to book vendors you will need for the day. Consider whether your event will need caterers, rentals of any type (from tables and chairs to linens to tents to a bouncy house), lighting or a sound system, etc.
Book Entertainment
Regardless of the type of fundraiser you are planning, you will need to entertain donors somehow. An upscale fundraiser for big donors might call for a live band or classical musician, while for a more casual or laid back event, you may hire a comedian. A DJ would also be a good option to help structure the event with announcements, in addition to providing music.
Planning a fundraiser is a lot of work and involves a lot of small details which include showing appreciation to donors. These tips will help you to get started and stay organized. Ultimately, the results will be worth it as your successful fundraiser will really benefit your organization or cause. Read this article from Donor Signs to learn more about building relationships with donors.
