It’s always important to give back–and what better way to raise money for a good cause than by hosting a fundraiser? While successful fundraisers are excellent ways to collect donations for an organization near and dear to your heart, they can be time consuming and a lot of work to plan. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your fundraiser is a winner:
Purpose: Before you put your plan into action you first must decide what the purpose of your event is. Is it truly a fundraiser or do you have other goals, like gaining publicity or networking?
Goal: Determining the amount of money that you hope to raise during the event will set you up for a successful event. Don’t forget to take into consideration the cost of the event expenses when setting your goal .
Budget: This goes without saying, but determining a budget before you put your plan into action is crucial to a successful event. There are lots of factors to take into consideration when setting a budget: invites, staff, utilities, catering, entertainment and the event space are just a few.
Leadership: Consider appointing a host committee or a chairperson to contribute to the event. Having a wealthy donor, local celebrity or business leader to stand behind the fundraiser will be integral to ensuring that you reach your goals.
Marketing: Determining your target audience and what specific group of people you would like to invite are the first step towards your marketing initiatives in this event. Once that is determined, draw up a marketing plan, including ways to spread the word. Create a buzz around your event to convince your supporters that they need to donate not only their time but their money as well.
Set-Up: Mapping out exactly where the tickets will be sold, the location of the bar, what the itinerary is, etc ahead of time will save you a headache and eliminate chaos the day of the event. Other things to consider are dress code and menu options. Let Italian Center Banquets help you with all of the details to ensure a smooth and successful night!
Thank You: Don’t forget to thank your volunteers, contributors and guests for coming, and follow up with a formal thank you note after the event. You’ll be surprised how much a simple thank you can go a long way. After all, this may not be the last time you look to these guests for a donation down the road.
Looking to give back and throw a great fundraiser? Let the Italian Center Banquets help! Our array of banquet rooms can accommodate any type of fundraiser event and our dedicated staff will take care of all of the details. To learn more about the services we offer, visit us here or give us a call at 203-322-6950 to plan your fundraiser today!