Tips for Making Your Fundraising Event Successful

Fundraising events can benefit a non-profit organization substantially.  However, they can be a lot of work to put together and coordinate.  It’s worth investing some time in learning some best practices of how to run a fundraiser.  The key to running a smooth fundraising event that profits more money than it spends is, like most other things, careful planning.  To help you ensure that your fundraising event is a success, here are some tips that will help to guide your event planning in the right direction:

Establish a Fundraising Goal

It’s imperative to decide how much money you want to raise at the event.  And this means net dollars after all expenses are deducted.  This will ensure that you have a precise game plan set up to raise the necessary funds that are needed.  Establish your sources of revenue and plan a specific amount that will come from each, and don’t forget to factor in expenses.

Know your niche

Unless it’s a general fundraiser, it’s critical to nail down your target audience during the planning stages.  This way, people will feel encouraged to attend an event that they can share some common ground with.  Establish a niche and then carefully select and target individuals who would be most interested in the subject matter.  For example, if your fundraiser is centered around pets, then go after people that are pet lovers!

Utilize social media marketing to get the word out

Success from a fundraising event comes from the people that are in attendance.  The more people you can get to attend, the more potential you have for establishing your goals.  What’s a cost effective way to market your fundraiser?  First, use existing social networks and make it a grass roots effort to bring attention to the fundraiser.  These days, social media is one of the fastest, most effective ways to reach a huge audience through the power of social connections.  Additionally, you can raise awareness through direct mail, phone banks, and tapping into your fundraising network.

Have great prizes and giveaways

Anytime there is something cool to enter and win, people will get excited about it.  Talk to sponsors, reach out to network contacts and do whatever you can to get some exciting prizes and giveaways at your fundraising event.  It will not only boost revenues from raffle ticket sales, but also make it much more fun, exciting, enjoyable and more worthwhile in attending your fundraising event.

Create awareness through banners and signs

At your fundraiser, you will need professional signage to create awareness throughout the event.  Use colorful signs and banners to direct attendees, provide important event information, and let everyone know about the event’s purpose.  Thank your sponsors by presenting their logos throughout the venue on large, colorful banners and within the event program.   

Running a successful fundraising event will require time, contribution and great coordination.  As a final note, always remember to send personal thank-you notes to anyone that contributed to your event.  It will make the volunteers, staff and other contributors feel appreciated and you never know how that might affect your future fundraising event.