Top 10 Tips to Make More Money, Have More Fun at Your Fundraising Event

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Fundraising event tips are here!

May is Party Month here at Fired-Up Fundraising. Today I’m sharing how to make more money and have more fun with YOUR own fundraising events!

We all have events, so let’s make them fun and also highly profitable.

First: what’s the difference between an “event” and a “party?”

An “event” is when you throw a bunch of people in the room, give them something to eat or drink, and hope they survive. Yikes!

A “party” is when you actually CARE about the experience your guests are having.  You try to make it fun for everyone.

So be sure to focus on the quality of the party experience for your guests.

Fundraising Event Tips for BEFORE THE PARTY

Here is where your plan can make or break you.

1.    Put together a fun, diverse committee.

Your committee is your “social branding” for the party.

People will attend because they are close to your organization OR they know someone on the committee. Plaster your invitation with committee members’ names.

Get different professions, ages and types on your committee. Pull from different communities around your town, different religions and social networks.

And be sure committee meetings are FUN!

2.    Get your sponsorships.

Your #1 factor in making more money is your sponsorships.  That’s where the real profit will be for your event.

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And it takes plenty of lead time to properly approach the right sponsors, and close the deal.

If you are not allowing enough lead time, then you won’t have time to close the sponsorships you need.

Organize a sponsorship committee, set a sponsorship goal, allocate out your sponsorship prospects and get those calls made. AND then followup and followup again.

3. Give VIP’s special encouragement to come.

You probably want certain VIP’s to attend your event, but they may be reluctant to attend.  Why? Maybe they don’t have have an escort.  Or don’t like driving at night.

Want them to come? Then call them up and say:

  • “I have someone special I want you to meet at our party.
  • “I have a terrific table for you that you will enjoy.
  • “Our “party van” will come pick you up.

I love the idea of a party van picking up important guests. The N.C. Museum of Art once used a corporate jet to travel around the state and pick up key guests for a special event.

You make not have access to a  jet but I bet you could get hold of a van, or even your own car.  Make it extra fun for your VIP’s and make them feel special.

Fundraising Event Tips: AT THE EVENT

1.    Right sized venue.

Be sure your room is not too big.  If you have a large room that swallows your crowd, all the energy in the room will go “poof!”

I’d rather have a room that’s too small than have one that’s too big.

When the room is crowded with people, it feels like something is really happening.

2.    Turn down the lights.

Nothing is worse that bright lights glaring above – they ruin the atmosphere of a party quickly.

Turn the darn lights down and create a sense of mood and atmosphere.

At our age we all look better in lower light anyway. :)

3.    Abundant food and drink.

Never, never be the event that ran out of food or drink.

Have the food tables look abundant.

Your fare doesn’t have to be fancy at all, but it needs to be ample, and look attractive.

4.    Cute young people.

Don’t forget that the older folks love to be able to meet and chat with young folks.

Its fun to have the young folks who can give the party extra glamour.

5.    Welcoming attitude.

This might be the most important thing of all: how people are welcomed and treated when they are at the party.

Give your BOARD MEMBERS the job of being hosts. They are supposed to welcome people and talk to wallflowers. 

When people come in the door, greet them like you are SO GLAD they are here.

6. Try a Raffle.

You can add significant money to the bottom line with a raffle, and it adds to the fun of the evening.

One year I was co-chair of an auction and we decided to have a raffle at the last minute. Two volunteers took it on, got some nice jewelry donated, and went off selling raffle tickets.

Boy was I surprised when that last-minute idea brought in significant cash!

7.    Next Year’s Chair.

Enlist next year’s chair at this year’s event.

They will be feeling happy and will be in the middle of success and glitz.

It’s the best possible time to get a “yes.”  Give it a try!

Fundraising Event Tips for AFTER THE EVENT

Call your sponsors, top purchasers of auction items, lead volunteers and major donors and THANK THEM.

Be sure to line up your thank you phone callers BEFORE the event, of course.

Debrief with your committee. Discuss what worked and what you might want to do differently next year.

Bottom Line: Fundraising Event Tips

These fundraising event tips can make all the difference to your guests, and your profit. Give them a try.

If you are having an event any time soon,  bring your volunteers and listen in. Even if you can’t attend live, you will get all the recordings plus a written transcript of each class.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR A FAB HIGH DOLLAR EVENT?

Share them with us here!

7 replies
  1. mmp says:

    A question for all – in our organization there seems to be a need to plaster the event with a ton of marketing materials. My team (communications) is trying to change course and make the materials less about how great we are and more about what our needs are and how the attendees can help. We have learned our donors want to know how they can help and if we brag how great we are they why would we need their help. Unfortunately, we’re getting a lot of push back from our events team. Any ideas? Is my team working on the right goal – less fluff and more need language?

  2. sb says:

    In some states it is impossible to put together a raffle one week prior to an event because of charity gaming laws and licensing requirements. Be sure you know the laws in your state.

  3. bhk says:

    bhk
    I am both marketing and communications and I agree with you. However, I have found that events should showcase the needs you have but in order to get the money you also need to show that you are the best to put those dollars to work. There is a fine line there and I see both sides. What is important is that both sides work to produce the most output of your fundraising goals. Show the need but also show that you are the right organization to fill that need – show them why they should put their dollars with you!

  4. Kathleen Gardner says:

    How do we register for those 4 webinars? When I click on the links, there is no place to register. I really want to hear all 4. Thanks!

  6. Richard Freedlund says:

    When it comes to auction items, I have found that travel, unique experiences, and rubbing elbows with celebrities (or at least autographed memorabilia) drive the highest bids. If you are a chapter organization, partner with another chapter in a desirable place that people will want to visit. Offer a casual meal or hike in the woods with a professional athlete, former politician or celebrity. The activity can be something that the celebrity likes to do in their free time, and you’d be surprised how that “six degrees of separation” can be true. I have been blessed with a number of famous people in my network. Ask a corporate sponsor to cover the cost of transportation and have them order plane tickets through their company’s travel department. I could go on and on about this subject.

  7. Bellydancing Arielle says:

    I never even considered that this would be gambling, thanks for the heads up

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