Holding an event is a very powerful fundraising tools for charity and non-profit organisations, with one in five Americans attending some kind of charity event every year. In particular, millennials enjoy attending live fundraising events as they enjoy the connected atmosphere. If you are in the process of planning a fundraising event for your non-profit, encouraging people to turn up and maximizing the amount of money that you can raise for a good cause are likely to be two of your main goals. Here are some tips to keep in mind to exceed goals and expectations with your next fundraising event.
Define Your Cause
It is important to be clear on why you’re raising money and what you are raising it for in order to put together a clear operational plan and promotional strategy. This will act as your mission statement and you will use it to shape all the other decisions that you make regarding the event. This includes where it should be held – and how you are going to phrase your text invites using Tatango to let your target market know where your event will be held- , when it will be held, and how they can book a ticket.
Define Your Goal
It’s a wise idea to have a clear goal in mind when it comes to how much money you would like to raise from the event. Consider a range of different avenues that you might want to use for fundraising including the sale of tickets, live auctions, silent auctions, crowdfunding, merchandise sales and more. Bear in mind that financial donations are not the only way to support a good cause. It might be useful to set other, non-financial goals for your event too, including raising awareness of your cause or networking with influential people who can help it.
Set Your Budget
You should have a clear budget in mind before you get started, allowing you to focus on raising funds that are above the amount you are going to spend on the event. A clear budget will give you the chance to get more for your money and make sure that you keep your costs in perspective. Spend plenty of time on your budget to ensure that it includes all the details from the venue – to the catering and the décor to other finer touches. It is also a good idea to leave a little bit of room in your budget for any unforeseen expenses that might arise.
Find a Venue
Once you have laid the groundwork, it’s time to think about who is going to attend your event and what kind of venue you are going to need for it. Find a suitable venue that will be useful in helping your event stand out from the crowd. It’s a good idea to shop around for different venues to find one that is the best suited for your budget and all the other requirements. Even better, look for venues that are willing to offer a discount or even offer the space for free when it’s to raise money for a good cause.
Before you can start all the fun parts of planning your event like choosing a theme, it’s important to have these basics covered.