Maybe you’re marching to raise awareness for breast cancer. Maybe you’re hosting a dinner party to encourage donations for a new art gallery. Whatever your reasons for putting together a charitable event with money on the line, here are just four tips for making sure that it goes off without a hitch.
1. Find Your Support Staff
Fundraisers live and die on the strength of their volunteers, so put together a good team that won’t panic when something inevitably goes wrong or gets disorganized. Put out announcements on social media that you’re looking for volunteers, and instead of blindly accepting anyone who responds, put them through a vetting process to ensure that they’re the right people for the job. It’s okay to be picky when your cause is on the line.
2. Encourage All Kinds of Giving
Don’t pressure people into giving specific dollar amounts. It will only make them feel guilty and judged if they can’t afford to donate that much, and what’s more, it might make them avoid the donation booth entirely. Instead of asking for big bucks, allow people to make up their own minds about how much they want to donate. You might even put out “change jars” to send the message that every little bit helps.
3. Find Ways to Replace Manual Labor
There’s no reason to waste the time and manpower of your volunteers on something that could be done with a machine. For example, if you’re creating customized water bottles with your charity’s logo on the outside paper, consider investing in a bottle labeler that will churn out bottles quickly and efficiently. Not only will it save your volunteers from manual labor, but it will also free them up for other things.
4. Advertise, Advertise, Advertise
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to put the word out about your fundraiser! Advertise it everywhere that it’s possible to hang a flyer or pass around a postcard. You can also use places like Facebook and Twitter to spread the word digitally. Make sure that the fundraiser’s date and time are prominently displayed, and include a note that says something like “everyone welcome” or “no registration necessary.”
These are just a few tips for organizing your next fundraiser. Whether you’re planning a large-scale event or a small community-based initiative, these tips should help you get the job done.
