Fundraising events are a great way to raise awareness, or advertise a cause you are supporting. It is an ideal opportunity for businesses, or organisations to raise money, but can take a lot of time and end up being hugely expensive. Charity events require organisation and some careful planning! To help you raise the best charity event possible we have come up with some top tips!
Key Takeaways: A successful charity event hinges on clearly defined goals, smart budgeting, knowing your audience, and effective marketing.
- Define your fundraising goal: Knowing your target sum guides your scale and spend.
- Build a budget: Include all visible and hidden costs, and leave a buffer for unplanned expenses.
- Know your audience: Tailor your event’s tone and format to the people you’re reaching out to.
- Marketing & sales: Promote effectively and decide how you’ll generate income — tickets, donations, merchandise (like branded wristbands), etc.
What Is Your Fundraising Goal?
No matter what you do it is important to have a goal behind it. Fundraising requires an overall aim, which will help you decide how much money you place into it. With those who are attempting to raise money will be geared towards raising a specific sum of money. Remember the purpose of what your event is, which will help you guide your fundraising, or charity event.
Budget
Every event, let alone a fundraising event should have a budget list, which is complete. It should include all the little and large expenses required to host such an event. Your budget list will oversee invitations, staff, event space rent, catering, transport (if necessary), entertainment, security and many more. To help make things a little easier you should include everything into the budgeting list, which will help you decide what is worth keeping in order to raise a successful charity event. It can prove worthwhile to leave extra room in your budget in case there are any hidden or unforeseen expenses.
- Set a realistic fundraising target and event size.
- Create a detailed budget covering venue, catering, marketing and extras.
- Identify your target demographic to shape your event’s style and communication.
- Use cost-effective tools (e.g. branded wristbands) along with ticket sales or merchandise to boost revenue.
Who Is Your Target Audience?
Do you know who your target audience is? Are you inviting everyone under the sun, or are you targeting a specific demographic? These are only a select few things to take into consideration, but you should know your audience. This can also include whether you are attempting to target young professional, or even established business owners, which will also dictate the nature of your fundraising.
Marketing/ Sales
Just like companies that are selling a brand new product, you need to market it. It needs to be aimed at your audience and you’ll find you will need to convince your supporters about the charity, or organisation. The goal of your fundraising, or charity event will help you understand how to market it and finally help you with the target of your audience. This will include getting the invitation sent out, making people aware and also ensuring that people are eager to turn up to your event.
Similar to marketing, sales is hugely important. Are you selling tickets, or you are accepting payments from people, or are you are giving people a V.I.P reception? Decide on how you are going to execute this and it will help supporters choose which reception they would like. Sales can also include the sales of anything promotional to remember your charity event. Whether you have imprinted silicone wristbands, you’ll need to find a way, or a reason to get people to purchase them.
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