5 ideas for high-revenue fundraising events
Fundraising is a fantastic way to raise money for your charity or advocacy. It is also a great way to raise awareness about your cause and garner support from your immediate community. Such events will also expand your reach and gather more donors that can support your cause or organization.
Most importantly, fundraising events are practically the lifeblood of any non-profit organization. Because of this, you should consider hosting high-revenue events to maintain your organization’s operations and charity works. With that in mind, here are some fundraising events you can try that are sure to generate more funds:
- Golf tournament
One of the most fruitful fundraising events is a charity golf tournament or golf corporate event. It’s an effective way for guests to come together and generate money. It’s a sure money-maker while providing a fun event for attendees.
Since golf is a great summer activity, many sponsors can use it to support your event while enjoying the warm weather or promoting summer-related merchandise. Unlike other fundraising events, you can simply cover your expenses through registrations of participating golfers and their buddies. With such, you can host an event where your sponsors or donors can socialize and network.
- Heartstrings events
Heartstring events are usually used to attract guests and donors who are already part of your organization’s cause. When it comes to picking attendees, you may decide whom to invite. If not, interested attendees may buy a ticket. By purchasing a ticket or accepting your invitation, it means that your guests already know and care about your goal. Your organization can raise funds from event tickets alone.
While you can make heartstrings events humble and low-key, with only a handful of supporters, you can also make it grand. You can do this by typically hosting these events in ballrooms, restaurants, or other fancy venues.
As such, here are some events under this category:
- Galas
Galas are one of the most challenging events to execute among heartstring events. It may cost you a lot of time, effort, and money. However, if done correctly, your earnings can be high. When planning the event, you’d want to rent a proper venue, food, entertainment, and presentations.
Galas are known to be upscale events typically held in the evening. It includes a well-prepared meal and a brief program. Many people also attend galas; thus, you’ll need to find a seating plan that can accommodate many people. It would also be best if you had a plan at hand to use press releases and other social media platforms.
- Cocktail party
A cocktail party is a small event where guests can gather for drinks and donations. This is a great gathering if you’re looking for potential donors or investors for your cause or advocacy. With cocktail parties, you can give your potential donors or investors an update about your mission and ask for their support later on.
In hosting cocktail parties, you must situate it in exclusive venues to ward off unwanted guests. You can also find a way to keep cocktail parties budget-friendly by limiting your attendees to a minimum.
Another thing to remember is that you should keep the event short and active. To do this, you can prepare a speech or play a video, no longer than five minutes, to explain the cause. When the program comes to an end, make sure that you or your staff and volunteers get a chance to talk to your donors.
- Open houses
With open houses, you can do the event at home, office, or community immersions. This allows your supporters to gain a personal connection and experience with your mission. You can also hold these events to keep your guests up-to-date and aware of new happenings in your charity or organization.
- Online events
Currently, virtual fundraising events seem to be the most plausible due to social distancing protocols. Moreover, virtual fundraisers still seem to be generating large sums of donations for many organizations. With the right tactics, you can add fun and success to your event.
Good online fundraising events will require you to have the right technology to let your supporters give donations easily. There are many platforms that can help you. However, you’ll need to find one that’s convenient and accessible to most of your supporters.
On top of this, you’ll need to put extra effort into keeping your supporters entertained and updated about the cause. You’ll have to craft an online segment where you can capture your audience’s attention throughout the event.
- Virtual walk or run
Another online event you can host is a virtual walk or run. With the pandemic still keeping most places in social distancing protocols, many face-to-face events are still prohibited. But the good thing is, you have the internet at your disposal and you can use it to host your next event. You’ll not only give your participants a chance to go outside, but you’ll also be gathering supporters for your mission.
If you have experience planning a 5K walk or run, you’d know that doing so can be very difficult and complicated. However, with a virtual run, you won’t need to find a location. You also wouldn’t need to talk to local government units to plan and set up the route. There’s no need to hire volunteers or think about insurance. And on top of that, you can have participants from all over the world join you.
You can also make use of the features that usually come with a traditional walk or run. This includes prizes and celebratory items like t-shirts, water bottles, and other kinds of merchandise.
- Contests or competitions
Hosting contests are another simple and easy way to generate funds. These are not just fun and exciting, but they’re also interactive. On top of that, it’s an easy event to execute. Plus, it will engage your participants and garner attention from their supportive family and friends.
Competitions are simple because participants will pay a certain amount to join the said event. Then you’ll have voters who will pick the winner of the competition. Some of the most common competitions you can host are as follows:
- Talent Contest
- Photography Contest
- Costume Contest
Conclusion
Regardless if you’re looking to get some help for a mid-campaign bump or assistance for an emergency, you need funds to get all of that done. And raising funds isn’t always easy because you have to plan it carefully. When you do that, you can make your fundraising event profitable to earn profits to support your cause.
