Look here for a step by step guide on how to organise a fundraising event.
Step 1: Purpose
Think about why you are organising this event...Is it just to raise money, or is it also to gain publicity to your fundraising page, or to reach out to a new network of people? Are you focused on a large crowd of people who do not know much about your cause or a smaller group of familiar supporters and likely donors?
Step 2: Fundraising Goal
Think about how much money you would like to raise If you are planning a big fundraiser that includes things such as food and drink, you may need to have a fundraising goal that will still give you profit after
deducting the costs. You should develop a goal based on the tools available to you. If you have never organised a fundraising event before, start with a smaller fundraising target and see how it goes.
Step 3: Budget
Every fundraising event plan should contain a complete budget listing all of the expenses that will be required to hold the event.
Things the budget should consider: print materials, space rental, catering, entertainment, transportation, security, utilities, and anything else that will be required to make the event a success.
Hosting a virtual event can help keep food, space, and materials costs low. Your budget should take into account your fundraising goal.
Step 4: Target Audience
Think about who is the target attendee for your event - Is this a general fundraiser where everyone will be invited? Or is it for a niche group?
Question what type of event and elements are a good fit for the target attendees.
Develop a list of fundraising ideas that work well with that target audience - or even ask them!
Step 5: Set-Up
You should plan the event set-up well in advance:- Where will it be?
- Will food be served?
- Will there be entertainment?
- Will there be a theme?
- What is the itinerary for the event?
- What fundraising or streaming services do you plan to use?
- What graphics need to be prepared?
Step 6: Marketing
Your fundraising event needs to be effectively marketed to your target audience.- You need to show your supporters that your event is worthy of their time and money.
- Let them know why their attendance and donations will support the charity you are fundraising for.
Share the event on all various social medias, and to do it multiple times in the lead-up to the event. Get the word out early so and follow up to find out if people plan to attend.
Step 7: Pre-Event Practice
It is essential that everyone who is helping with the event know what their responsibilities are and how the event is going to “flow”. If you are hosting a virtual event, you need to do a dry run with the key people on the equipment they will be using during the event. If you run into any problems, document the solutions ahead of time and if they persist, keep attendees informed.
Step 8: Post-Event
Make sure to take the time to send thank-you notes to everyone who is involved in your event, including
contributors, volunteers, staff and vendors. Keep your friends and donors happy...you’re probably going to be asking them for another donation sometime down the road!
If you have any further questions, make sure to email your charity representative or the Endeavours Adventures team at team@endeavoursadventures.com 😆