Planning a nonprofit fundraiser is no easy task and it takes some knowledge of event planning to be successful. A few meetings may be required to ensure everyone involved is on the same page. To reduce costs, meetings can be held during the off-season and venues such as college campuses are perfect during the summer and school breaks. Many locations specialize in non-profits and are happy to help you during the planning process. Choose a location that works for everyone, which is close to public transportation for easy access.
Promoting Your Fundraiser
When promoting a nonprofit fundraiser, it's important to minimize the amount you spend in order to ensure majority of the funds raised can go directly to the charity. Advertising can become expensive but due to the nature of giving, many businesses and media outlets are happy to assist you and promote your charity for free. Below are a few tools to take advantage of:
- Press Releases: Online press releases help spread the word about your charity and can be sent to local radio and television stations a few weeks before an event to let others know an event is happening locally. Press releases should include who, what, when, where, why, and how.
- Sponsors: Sponsors are a great way to help larger voices spread the word about your charity. Contact local businesses to see if they'd like to be part of a great cause – not only will it help the charity, but it's also a win-win for the business as well. Customers like to see that businesses are playing an active role in their community and being part of a great cause can help improve their reputation, as well as get the word out about their business.
- Social Media: Blogging is one of the easiest and quickest ways to promote a fundraiser and spread awareness within your social circle, which will hopefully expand past your friends and family to reach an even bigger audience. Use Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms to share blog posts and promote the cause.
Creating Revenue
The way you create revenue depends completely on the type of fundraiser you are planning but oftentimes, the best fundraisers include some type of event for people to attend. Raffles are a fun way to raise funds and promote a charity event. Have businesses donate prizes such as tickets, store coupons, restaurant gift cards, cash prices, gift baskets, and other fun items to draw people to support the cause.
A prize wheel is another way to give prospective donors a chance to have fun and win a prize at the same time, whether it is a gift card, a gag-gift, a money prize, or something creative that represents your cause, such as a tee shirt to remember the event by. It's also ideal for all ages, as it's based entirely on chance. You may even get local businesses to help sponsor by providing prizes. Furthermore, fun games can be added into the fundraising event to draw more people in, like a caricature artist, small kiddie rides, and of course, great food!
Choosing the Ideal Venue
Unique Venues can help in choosing the venue that best suits your needs. Below are just a few examples of the many requests we receive and accommodate:
"We're doing a fundraiser for 150 people – meeting space, break-out rooms, catering, a/v requirements, budget
This is a fund raiser for a small organization that helps poor students in India get an Education. (HUGGS canada.ca) We will have a buffet Indian dinner and a Silent Auction."
"A fundraiser variety show – space to accommodate 300-500 guests seated, a stage for variety show, an area to setup food, a/v, budget is very limited as we are a non-profit organization trying to raise funds to construct a church."
"Backyard barbeque fundraiser – we need to sit 250 people at tables of 8-10, place for auction items, podium for emcee with audio, audio/visual equipment. Maybe a cash bar, hor d'ouevres, dinner and dessert. Maybe some form of entertainment, music if available."
These are just a few requests that we receive on a regular basis and work hard to accommodate above and beyond your expectations. Unique Venues can help you find the perfect venue for your nonprofit fundraiser and provide everything you need to ensure it’s a success.