Fundraising Events- Dos and Don’ts for Organizers

The world, as we know it today, is facing one crisis after another, which is why it’s important to practice the “joy of giving” now more ever. As an organizer hosting fundraising events for nonprofits, you are at the center of bringing positive changes through your contributions. I’m sure many of you’d agree that there’s no greater feeling than knowing an initiative that you took, however big or small, can leave a positive impact. 

Whatever cause you choose to promote through your nonprofit fundraiser, it has to strike a chord with your attendees, which adds a lot of pressure, undoubtedly. Whether you’re organizing a university fundraiser or a corporate fundraising event, the pressure is just the same. In fact, the higher the scale of your fundraiser, the more attention you have to put into every little detail. 

We have been in the same boat, so if you are looking for fundraising event ideas for your nonprofit organization, we’ve got that covered for you. Browse through this list of dos and don’ts for your next fundraiser. 

Do Choose The Right Type of Event and Set Your Budget Early On

Fundraising events can be of many types, hence it’s essential that you pick the one that will not only help you meet your objectives, but also feels authentic to you. These types include: 

• • Auction
  • Competition or tournament
  • Charity Concert 
  • Trivia Night
  • Clothing Drive 

The event type you decide on will also help you determine your budget. It could be the other way around, too; your budget might decide the type of event you want to host. Knowing what type of event you want to host and the budget you need for it is the initial step of the process. 

Don’t Forget to Set a Goal for Raising Funds 

Once you allocate the budget to host the event, check the amount of money you have left, then calculate how much you need to raise for the cause you’re supporting. Getting clarity about these numbers will allow you to plan the rest of your event effectively. 

For example, if you are raising money for the wildfires in California, you can set a net goal of $12,000 to donate to charities that help the cause. This indicates that you want to raise $12,000 for the cause, and enough to cover the expenditure of the fundraising event. 

Do Take Time to Plan the Event Well 

Set your event planning in motion well in advance; in fact, it would be best if you could plan your event six months ahead of time. Event planning is time-consuming since there are too many variables involved, and an early start to the planning process helps you conduct the event smoothly. 

Planning early allows you to devote time to securing a venue for the event, hiring volunteers, and promoting the event without coming in the way of other responsibilities you may have connected to the event. 

Don’t Forget to Choose a Target Audience for Your Event

Consider the objective behind hosting your fundraising event and understand whether it will be dedicated to a general audience or if it will target a specific audience. This helps you choose the kind of fundraising event you will be hosting. 

For example, a big charitable cause, such as raising money for underprivileged children, can have a large and more general target audience because it’s a world issue, and may not be a local one. Similarly, if you’re raising money for flood relief in your region, it makes sense to ask the locals to be part of your event. 

Do Make Sure to Utilize the Volunteers 

Volunteers are a valuable asset when you are planning your fundraising event. They help with every aspect of the event, from registration to checking the AV equipment to cleaning up after the event. Hiring these volunteers ensures that your event runs seamlessly and that attendees have an overall positive experience. 

The number of volunteers you need depends on the scale of your fundraising event. Make a list of all the different responsibilities you need help with to decide how many volunteers you need. 

Don’t Go Overboard with the Venue

Some luxurious venues may be more appropriate for high-profile fundraising events, but our expert advice would be not to splurge on the venue, particularly if you end up compensating for it by raising ticket prices for guests. 

Our suggestion would be to go for a venue that fits well within your budget, which you’ll be able to pay for with funds you collect from ticket sales. Moreover, finding a venue within your budget or maybe below it provides you with the scope to spend more to elevate the experience for the audience within the venue. This, in turn, ensures the fundraiser is memorable for attendees. 

Do Pay Attention to Event Promotions

Promoting your fundraising event helps you generate curiosity among your potential attendees. Use email and social media, and also try to create a website for the event. Create pages dedicated to your event on Instagram and Facebook. If you’re hosting a one-off fundraiser, then it doesn’t make sense to create a website. But if you plan to host more such events, it’s probably a good idea to create a basic website landing page with information about specific events. 

Additionally, reach out to your local print or visual media outlet to check if they can cover your event. Ask your acquaintances and patrons to promote the event through their social media profiles. 

Don’t Delay in Setting up the Event 

Last-minute glitches are always going to be the reason that causes delays, so make sure you start preparing for the event well in advance. If you’re hosting the event in an indoor space, get permissions to start setting up the day or night before the event. If that’s not an option, start setting up early in the morning on the day of the event to ensure everything goes perfectly. 

Do Pre-Sell Tickets to the Event in Advance

There are multiple efficient online ticketing platforms, such as Dryfta, that help you sell tickets to your fundraiser online. Additionally, check with local businesses if they are willing to be points of sale for physical tickets and advertise where the tickets are available as you promote your fundraiser. 

• • Offer a group discount to encourage potential attendees to buy early.
  • Introduce early-bird discounts to encourage people to buy as soon as bookings open. 

Don’t Forget to Follow-Up

One thing that holds true about your fundraiser is that it’s not over even when the attendees leave the venue. Following up after the event is just as important as hosting the actual event. Make sure to thank them for attending and for their contributions. Also, provide them with a recap of the event’s success. 

Furthermore, use this opportunity to encourage them to get involved with more meaningful causes that you plan to raise funds for. If your budget permits, you can give a return gift to your attendees by partnering with a local business. It’s gestures like this that ensure your net profit improves considerably. 

In a Nutshell

Fundraising events are one of the most powerful ways for nonprofit organizations to raise funds for a just cause. We know it can be overwhelming to host such events and build a community through contributions. But we assure you that great things can be achieved once you find a balance between these dos and don’ts listed here. 

And if you require further assistance with your nonprofit event, we suggest you try Dryfta’s all-in-one event management solutions. It consists of sophisticated features like event scheduling, registrations, and ticketing, and a full-stack event CRM system. These features equip you with everything you need for your nonprofit event to be successful. Still want to explore your options? Schedule a free demo with us today.