| ofit organizations, such as schools and charities, often | | | | with donors, you will raise more funds and maybe |
| turn to fundraising events to raise the money to | | | | even gain new volunteers. |
| keep their programs going. Organizing these events | | | | There are a variety of ways to advertise your |
| can be a daunting task. With the right idea, combined | | | | event. One possibility is posting posters and flyers in |
| with a little organization, dedication, hard work, and | | | | areas frequented by potential donors. If your charity |
| enthusiasm, any nonprofit can successfully raise | | | | has a website, the event should be prominently |
| funds. | | | | featured several weeks before it happens. |
| Highlight the Event | | | | Newsletters are another good advertising venue. |
| When planning a fundraising event, one good idea is | | | | Many charities have email lists that can be used to |
| to have a special highlight to the event. This could be | | | | send an advertisement about the fundraiser. A small |
| a special speaker, live music, an auction, an art show, | | | | ad in key newspapers can also draw attention to |
| or something similar. This event should have a | | | | your fundraising event. Finally, word of mouth can be |
| connection to the charity or program you are | | | | an excellent tool – ask your volunteers and |
| fundraising for. For instance, a charity dedicated to | | | | donors to tell all their friends. |
| helping artists could display some of their artwork. To | | | | A well-written press release may also be a good |
| highlight the need for an after-school tutoring | | | | advertisement. The press release should be short and |
| program, a school could display poems or essays by | | | | focused, discussing the event, charity, and the |
| students being tutored. | | | | connection to the charity’s work. You can |
| One good idea is to have people who have been | | | | also check with neighborhood newspapers to see if |
| helped by or volunteered with the charity share their | | | | they will feature your event. For charities with a |
| stories. For instance, if your charity raises funds for | | | | strong local focus, see if your event can be featured |
| people battling cancer, have a survivor talk about | | | | in a neighborhood newsletter or discussed at a |
| how the charity helped her. If your group works on | | | | community meeting. |
| environmental restoration, have a volunteer talk | | | | Collect Those Funds! |
| about the satisfaction of helping a site go from a | | | | Collecting funds during the event can be a challenge. |
| monoculture of weeds to a diverse mix of native | | | | There are several ways to deal with this. One is to |
| species used by birds and other wildlife. These stories | | | | include a donation envelope with the invitation, then |
| will help donors understand why your charity is worth | | | | have drop boxes at the event. For electronic |
| helping and improve your fundraising efforts. | | | | donations, you can link to a paypal site where donors |
| Tours can be a good fundraising idea for some | | | | can make online contributions. If you can afford it, |
| charities. For instance, an environmental group | | | | you can also hand out postage-paid donation |
| working to restore salmon habitat could bring donors | | | | envelopes and ask donors to mail them in afterwards. |
| to a project site during spawning season to show the | | | | Another approach is to ask for donations at the door |
| success of the project and the need for similar | | | | as a sort of ‘entrance fee’. Finally, |
| projects. A rural health clinic could have an open | | | | you can ‘pass the hat’ at the event. |
| house to show both successes and areas needing | | | | The most appropriate method will depend on your |
| additional funds. | | | | donors and their income, as well as the type of |
| Advertise Your Fundraiser | | | | fundraising event. |
| One key to fundraising success is proper advertising. | | | | Proper planning is vital to a successful fundraising |
| You need to make donors understand the | | | | event. With well organized planners following these |
| importance of your cause so they will want to | | | | tips, planning a charity fundraiser will be fun and easy. |
| support your charity. If you find ways to connect | | | | |