These organizations if it has been operating for years have probably done the same strategy annually. If the person gets the opportunity to participate in brain storming, it wouldn't be a bad idea to raise a suggestion, which could get praise or rejection.
For example, if the organization does a marathon, why not suggest holding a regatta or a golf tournament. These sporting events happen regularly in the course of one year and tying up with the club is a win-win situation for everyone given the participants and the media coverage that will monitor the event.
If art exhibits are done often, perhaps suggesting that these pieces of artwork can be sold off at the same time thus making the fund raising event also in the form of an auction. Ideas such as these may have been done before without that much success but perhaps picking up on the mistakes of the past can bring out better results.
When the group is willing to try the idea, everyone must be given a part. Some members will be in charge of soliciting sponsorship; others will coordinate regarding the venue while the rest are out there on the streets giving out flyers inviting everyone to support the fund raising event.
Those who choose to support may give money while others may join and have some fun. Contestants may be charged an entry fee and in return get a souvenir shirt or a free meal after the race.
The group leaders should be able to update the project manager regarding the status of the task given so that adjustments and other things can be done to speed up the process. It is also possible to transfer manpower from one task to another to make this happen.
Hours before the event, everything must already be ready. The same volunteers doing the necessary work on the side will not act as marshals or ushers during the event.
When everyone has left, this is the only time that anyone can say whether the activity was a success or not. Drawing a huge crowd is one indicator and another will be how much was collected.
Raising funds can be a nightmare especially when done in a small town where everybody is reluctant to part with their hard-earned money. And who would not be? Let's face it with rising costs of living, a few dollars given to charitable projects is not a joke. Before a person donates his dollars, he needs a damn good reason for it!
One way to organize a fundraising is through an event, where guests can enjoy themselves and at the same time support a good cause. Often, these events will include activities that will generate funds for the organization. Primary of this is the selling of goods and services that will make up the majority of the fundraising campaign.
Below are some good ideas for events that you can organize to introduce your project.
Fashion Shows
This may seem pretty expensive to organize but it can be really cheap. In fact, you can even get kids in the community involved thereby extending good will and camaraderie with the locals. Make local town folks wear clothes that will later be auctioned off for the charity project. Chances are the models themselves will be buying the clothes.
Dinner
This is another great money-generating idea, which enjoys quite a good track record. However, because of the sheer expensiveness of the tickets, a dinner will usually work out when it involves rich people in town.
This is often done by organizations, which have good connections within the society circles. International organizations can also benefit much in these kinds of fundraising campaign when in a foreign land. You can also try a more casual event like barbecue and hotdog cookouts or camping trips.
Bazaars and Garage Sales
Another common fundraising events is the selling of goods and services for a good cause. Often, the products that are being sold are made by beneficiaries of the project. Examples of successful campaigns are the cards that children make for UNICEF.
Concerts
This is one of the great ways to reach a younger audience. You can raise funds through the tickets of the concert that will be sold. Some bands especially the local ones are willing to perform just for the exposure while others are supporters of causes and will probably agree to perform for a minimal fee.
Car wash
This is one of the most common fundraising events in schools. The overhead cost is not that much because the event will be utilizing people and volunteers.
Fundraising Billboard A unique idea is to put together a fundraising billboard in support of breast cancer research. People pay a reasonable fee, say $100, to add a name to a billboard list honoring women who are struggling with or have the lost the battle with cancer.
Dinner Dance Put together a fun dinner dance with live music and good food. It could be a formal affair with catered food or a rocking good time accompanied by a pig roast. Use a one price covers all approach, then add a cash bar or wine tasting to raise extra funds.
Fashion Show Fashion shows are always fun and, if well promoted, can draw hundreds of women. Charge admission and offer lots of other fundraising activities. Add silent auctions for donated items or services such as spa treatments or private lunches with top designers.
Pancake Breakfast A good location with lots of road signage can really pack them in for a pancake breakfast. Costs are low and opportunities to add-in extras are abundant. Offer raffle tickets, silent auction items, and sell ad space or sponsorships on your placemats.
Mardi Gras Fundraiser Great parties like Mardi Gras events attract a fun-loving crowd. Book a good band and line up some Cajun food for a buffet. Sell beads, glow necklaces, party hats, etc. Run a cash bar and auction off something big like a trip to New Orleans.
Shop For The Cure Another good idea is to work with local merchants to put together a special shopping experience aimed at women. Host in a convenient space like a convention center, church meeting hall, or even a shopping mall. Try to get as many items donated as possible while keeping things a win/win for your merchants. Don't forget to promote it to men also as a good place for gift buying.
Cow Chip Fundraiser A country-style fundraising event involving raffling $20 chances for winning a $5,000 cash prize. The fun catch is that the winner is determined by where a cow answers nature's call on squares marked off in a field. Add in live music, barbecue, and family fun activities and you've got the makings of a major success on your hands.
Casino Night Put together a full-fledged casino where adults gamble with play money for a good cause or just make the main event a Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament. Either one will draw a big crowd where you can add extra moneymakers like a buffet dinner, a cash bar, a whiskey tasting, cigar tasting, etc. Look to local merchants for partnerships and publicity.
Summary Working with other Relay For Life teams allows you to pull off even larger fundraising events. Look to create a fun experience for just adults or hold a family-oriented Saturday afternoon event that offers entertainment to all age groups.
Work with local merchants to expand into offering silent auction items of donated goods and services. And most importantly, work hard to get advance publicity for your Relay For Life event from newspapers, radio, and television.
Both Low Jeremy & Kimberly Reynolds are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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