Fundraising Ideas

What You Need To Do To Make The Most Out Of Your Fundraising Event

June 26, 2019 by Tim Grable

Last updated on July 14th, 2019 at 07:32 am

Organizing a fundraising event remains one of the most efficient ways to raise money for a nonprofit organization. However, there is no denying the fact a lot of resources, such as time, money and effort, are needed.

So, in order to fare well when calculating your profit, it’s important to make every bit of that investment count. To help you out, we’ve included a few tips on how to get more out of your function.

More often than not, the success of a non-profit event is the result of careful, thorough planning. Yes, this can be time-consuming, but the truth is that what you do before the day of the event can make all the difference.

How To Make Your Fundraising Event Be A Guaranteed Success

Organizing a nonprofit event is a fantastic opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your guests, strengthen their relationship with your nonprofit, and significantly boost donations.

Unfortunately, there is no single recipe you can follow to host successful events. However, you can rely on a few proven ingredients to maximize the chances of your fundraiser being a hit.

This article will focus on highlighting a few essential steps you shouldn’t skip in preparation for your event.

Keeping these in mind will ensure your event has the best chances of being a success and raise a significant amount of money for your cause. Ready to get started?

1. Setting Clear Goals for Your Event Early on

Goals are essential because they help guide your entire event planning itinerary. The more specific you can get, the better, so see if you can break down your goals into subsections.

This will make it much easier for you to outline tasks which need to be completed, as well as to keep track of the progress being made.

What’s more, the staff will also be aware of their primary responsibilities for the fundraising event ahead of time.

It will also help you get better organized, as you will be able to get a head start on the more time-consuming tasks in your fundraising planning checklist. All in all, it will lead to a more streamlined, more efficient planning process that makes the most use out of available resources.

2. Marketing Your NonProfit Event

Another thing you should incorporate in your plan has to do with promoting the event to your targeted audience. It’s important to show your supporters that the event is – blatantly put – worthy of their time and donations.

Try to get the word out about your event, generate hype and get people excited about attending. Possible strategies to include in your marketing plan are:

using your organization’s fundraising network,
mailing invitations,
direct mail,
social media promotion.

Be careful how you choose your event promotion timeline; the goal here is to engage your donors and build excitement without becoming dull or spammy.

3. Employ a Multi-Chanel Promotion Strategy

One of the keys to turning your fundraising event into a success is ensuring you manage to fill those seats. Therefore, it’s paramount to spread the word to as many people as possible.

To engage multiple groups of followers and boost fundraiser turnout, consider using the following mix of online platforms:

Your organization’s website. Create specific landing pages where people can learn more about your fundraiser and reserve their spot on the guest list.
Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. These are all great channels you can use to keep your followers up to date with the latest developments regarding your fundraiser. Create special hashtags to increase the online exposure of your event.
Pinterest. This highly visual platform can be particularly efficient if you’re hosting a gala action or a themed event, as you can use it to share images of your auction items or your unique decorations. Also, include event hashtags and links to your event’s landing page.

4. Maximize Online Exposure for Your Fundraising Event

Nowadays, there are many available online channels you can use to promote your event. So why not make the most out of them?

In addition to helping extend your reach and sell more tickets to the event, you’ll also get valuable exposure for your cause. Here are a few things you should consider doing:

Create an Eventbrite page where you share the most important details about your event and the cause it supports.
Spread the word about your event on your social media accounts. You can also ask your donors and staff members to post content which is related to your event on their networks, as well. Event banners or updates about the schedule are just two examples of content they can post.
Create a three-part email sequence to send to donors and supporters. The first email should announce the event, the second would serve as a reminder, while the final email is meant to create a sense of urgency and boost last-minute RSVPs.

5. Rally Your Champions

If you want your fundraising event to be a success, you can’t be the only one promoting it. So try putting together a group of supporters who are willing to pitch your event to their friends, families, co-workers, and others who may be interested in it.

Think of people who have already supported your nonprofit, have a full circle of contacts, and are passionate about your cause. Those are your champions.

So get them on board to help you run broader social media campaigns to raise awareness about your event.

Get them involved in the planning process and guide them on what is the best way to describe your organization’s mission.

All of this effort is likely to help increase the number of people who show up for your fundraiser and donate.

6. Don’t Pass on the Opportunity to Have an Engaged Audience

An engaged audience who feels actively involved in your event is more likely to resonate with your cause and therefore more willing to support it.

So it’s important to focus on captivating your guests and getting your message across in an effective yet not overpowering manner. So a professional entertainer or master of ceremonies can help you achieve that.

7. Invest in High-Quality Entertainment for Your Fundraising Event

It’s important to prioritize creating an enjoyable experience for your guests at your event, and picking quality entertainment can surely help you engage and delight your guests.

However, if you’re not sure what kind of entertainment you should be gravitating towards, here are a few suggestions to consider:

Keynote speaker. A professional speaker will add great energy to your fundraiser and keep guests focused on your organization’s underlying cause.
Magic show. This is a great way to help your fundraiser stand out from the rest and ensure it will leave a lasting impression on guests.
Live event painting. A professional live event painter will bring that wow factor to your event, as attendees will get to witness the birth of a piece of art right in front of their eyes.

8. Booking the Entertainment Well in Advance

Some planners leave this part of the planning process for the final stages – only to realize that their first choice of entertainment is no longer available.

To make sure this won’t happen in your case, consider booking the entertainment at least a couple of months in advance. A few top suggestions include musicians, variety acts and clean comedy acts.

The best entertainers have a strong stage presence and command the audience’s attention from start to finish, all while making them feel comfortable and encouraging donations.

Not only that but having the name a professional entertainer on the event invite is likely to help you get more people to attend.

If you are looking for top entertainment which will take your fundraising event to the next level, then go ahead and browse through our portfolio of over 1,400 best-in-class artists, speakers, and performers.

There are plenty of great choices to pick from, and we’re confident the right entertainer for your event is among them. Happy browsing!

9. Have a Clear Follow-up Strategy

Instead of doing nothing after hosting a fundraiser, you should leverage the wave of interest and excitement the event has generated to create new opportunities for the future.

Make sure to reach out to every guest after the event, thank them for their support and provide them with a new way to engage with your organization. Stay in touch and provide updates about your cause.

This increases the odds of your event guests becoming some of your organization’s most passionate advocates. This is also a great strategy for turning one-time supports into recurring donors.

10. Putting Together a Back-Up Plan

The details of what this backup plan entails will depend on the specifics of your fundraising event, of course.

The takeaway here is that you should think of the variables in your plan – the things that are most likely to change and disrupt the smooth running of the event.

For instance, if you’re planning to host your fundraiser outside, think about having a backup solution in case of bad weather or other possible disruptions of this kind. This way, you won’t have to send donors home early.

Thinking about alternative solutions in good time will help you avoid getting a panic attack if something doesn’t go according to plan on the day of the event.

Explore More Entertainment Options on Our Blog

We hope you will consider using the tactics included in this article the next time you’re planning a fundraising event for your nonprofit.

Also, if you are looking for more fundraising tips and inspiration, make sure to take a look at some of the other articles posted on our blog.

Make the Most out of Spring with these Unique Fundraising Ideas

June 13, 2019 by Tim Grable

The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and flowers are blooming in beautiful colors everywhere you look. It’s spring, the one season in the year when everything comes to life again, and we can finally enjoy some higher temperatures.

So if your nonprofit needs a bit of rejuvenation as well, read on to discover a few unique fundraising ideas which will breathe new life into your organization this spring.

1. Hike Day Event

With the temperatures going up, people are more and more eager to spend time outdoors, in nature. So why not take advantage of this to organize a special hike day event?

To get started, do some research in your area to find family-friendly hike trails. Look for trails which are not hard to access and not too strenuous, yet exciting enough to keep kids interested.

Once you have all the logistics in place and have found sponsorships for things like food, t-shirts, and drinks, you can start promoting your event online. Here’s an event page which can serve as inspiration.

As far as raising money for your organization goes, the most straightforward thing to do is ask a fee for people who want to attend the event.

2. Bird House Auction

Spring is the time of the year when many people are building and shopping for birdhouses to decorate their backyards with.

So why not get creative with your next fundraising event and put together a birdhouse auction?

Reach out to local artists, celebrities, and influencers in your area to get them to decorate and embellish a birdhouse based on their aesthetic.

The more expensive the materials used or, the more intricate the design, the more you can raise the auction price of an item. Therefore, the more money you are likely to get in support of your cause.

As an added benefit, this is one of those unique fundraising ideas which will make your event stand out.

3. Spring Fling Dance Event

Most people have fond memories when it comes to those fun high-school dances they used to attend with their friends and classmates. You can take inspiration from that and put together a fundraising version of a spring fling dance.

The focus here will be to recreate the mood of a typical high school dance. This is what will get people excited to take a trip down on memory lane and have some good old-fashioned fun.

To raise money, ask for donations in exchange for tickets. Also, don’t forget the fruit punch.

4. Mowing for a Good Cause Event

With spring in full bloom, everyone’s lawns need some TLC.

So, gathering a group of enthusiastic volunteers and advertising a lawn maintenance/cleanup service in exchange for donations is an excellent idea. Put up signs in your area and promote on social media, as well.

Then pick a day where you’ll go door to door alongside your volunteers, offering your service to people in the community.

If you can, get a team of professional landscapers to donate their time and expertise as part of the event well. This will allow you to ramp up the prices of offered services and raise more money for your nonprofit organization.

Which of these Unique Fundraising Ideas Caught Your Eye?

If there’s one thing, you can never have too much of as a fundraising event planner, that something is an inspiration. So we hope this article has provided you with a hearty dose of it.

Also, if you are looking for premium entertainers who will help you fill more seats at your event, then make sure to check out the artists, comedians, and performers featured in our portfolio for other unique fundraising ideas

How to Organize a Nonprofit Event for a Wide Audience

May 18, 2019 by Tim Grable

Last updated on July 14th, 2019 at 09:29 am

When it comes to how to organize a Nonprofit event, there is great power in numbers, meaning that the more people who show up to support your cause, the more chances you have of raising more money and turning your event into a success.

If you aim high, then the potential gains can be equally rewarding.

However, be mindful that a more extensive project is going to require a bit more effort as well. To make your job easier, we’ve shared a few essential tips to keep in mind when planning a fundraiser with a broad audience.

Big Events Require Big Plans

If you’re expecting to draw in a large audience, the first thing you should focus on is establishing your event’s purpose.

Large scale events usually have more than one goal. So if you’re looking to be a bit more ambitious, then perhaps you should expand your list of objectives.

You must decide if the event is merely destined to raise money or if you have any new goals in mind. For example, maybe you can use this event as a networking platform or as a way to introduce a new direction your organization will take moving forward.

Be Mindful of the Budget

Every fundraising event should have a budget planned. In the case of a more significant event, though, this is critical. As the list of expenses lengthens, it becomes harder to track, which is why the proper organization is vital.

Be diligent when creating your budget list, and make sure it includes the following:

Catering
Security
Venue and other rentals
Decor
Staff expenses
Props
Marketing
Entertainment

No Event Is Complete without a Theme

Once you’re done setting the scope of the fundraising event, you’re going to have to pick a theme for it. If you’re keen on attracting a large audience, then smaller projects like a cozy, bake sale is probably not the best way to go.

Instead, you should set your eyes on the big leagues, quite literally – as sports-themed events can accommodate the needs of events aimed at broad audiences. Plus, most events that center around a group activity have the potential to attract a wide audience.

Here are a few ideas you should look into:

A marathon.
Cycling competition.
Football tournament.

How to Increase Attendance at When You Organize a Nonprofit Event

Looking for ways to increase your organization’s popularity and funds? One of the methods you’ve probably already tried is organizing a charity event. That helps you promote your cause.

Do you want your next fundraising event to be successful? Learn how to gather a larger audience. Here are four tips to help you increase attendance to this kind of events.

1. Raise More Awareness through Media

Your first concern should be spreading the rumor. People won’t show up at your fundraising event if they’re not informed. Media can help you send your message to a large audience.

Try to get in touch with the local press, radio and television several weeks before the event. Ask them to promote it by including it in their community calendar. That will help you get better local coverage.

Pay for regular posts in the local newspapers as well. They still work well as a promotion channel.

It would be great if you could also be a guest at a radio talk show or have a short interview on TV. It’s important to send out the message in person.

2. Get Support from Local Sponsors

That is another tip that can help you get more visibility for your fundraising event within your community. If you have local business owners and other relevant figures among your donors, ask them to help you.

They can have a significant impact in promoting your next fundraising.

These persons act as opinion leaders in your community. They have lots of connections and the ability to influence other people. If they are willing to participate and donate, maybe their acquaintances are likely to do the same.

3. Send Invitations They Can’t Turn down

The invitation is the first impression your donors get. Try to invest in invitations your guests will get through direct mail. It is a more personal and appealing method.

If you don’t have enough time or funds, go for the traditional email invitations. In both cases, keep your message short and precise. A third option that’s worth trying is inviting them in person.

Meeting donors gives you the chance to establish a long-term relationship.

4. Promote Your Fundraising Event Online

Facebook, Twitter, and other social media channels are an excellent and affordable way to raise awareness and get more attendees at your next event. Try to engage your target audience online.

Post ads on Facebook, ask people to like your page. Write more articles on your blog and share the event as much as you can on every social media platform you use.

While you’re at it, promote your event’s agenda. If you include an entertaining act on your list, don’t forget to point that out. Tell people who your guest is and what kind of show they should expect.

That will tempt them to attend. If you want our advice, have someone like Ryan Hamilton at your event. He’s an expert in the art of clean comedy that suits a charity event.

Now that you’ve got some hints, you can start working on your next event. Apply what you’ve just learned, then measure your success. We hope you’ll benefit from this post and increase audience at your next nonprofit event.

Your Fundraising Event + Entertainment = Success

Now it’s time for one of the essential parts of your organizing plan – the entertainment segment.

If you want your event to click with the audience, you’re going to have to pay extra attention to the entertainment factor.

If you are expecting a large number of guests, then you should consider hiring an act that’s fit for large scale events.

For example, we suggest hiring a band or a musician as the main attraction of your event, in terms of Entertainment. Make sure that all of your guests will be able to accurately see and hear the entertainers performing on stage so that they get the full experience.

4 Performers Who Will Liven up Your Fundraiser Event This Year

There are many things that can make a fundraising event unforgettable. What ties them all together as an experience, however, is the entertainment. The right artist can make sure that all of your guests leave with the event embedded in their mind.

Today, we would like to present you with four acts that will solidify your fundraiser event in everyone’s hearts:

1. HypnoTWIST

Few entertainers can match the energy of this Czech hypnotist. While you may mistake him for a singer, the act consists of much more.

He chooses three guests out of the audience, two of which are undercover artists in reality. What follows is a wild singing performance that goes through many genres including opera and rock ‘n’ roll.

At the end of the show, the audience finds out about the deception. The two “guests” were part of the performance all along. The guests will still be thoroughly entertained.

If you want your attendees to be on the edge of their seats, look no further. HypnoTWIST is an excellent choice when you organize a nonprofit event.

2. Jeff Allen

He is a talented comedian who keeps it nice and clean but don’t think for a second that he is not hilarious. He will have the whole fundraiser event in tears laughing in no time.

With over thirty years of experience, Jeff has been all over the country. He feels at home anywhere. It does not matter if it is a non-profit, casino, TV or radio show. Jeff delivers consistent, fast-paced humor everywhere he goes.

Two of his main talking points are marriage and dealing with kids – two topics almost any adult can relate to. While many people have had similar experiences, none can spin it in such a funny way.

For top quality clean comedy, Jeff Allen is your guy. As long as his wife is ok with it.

3. Catapult Entertainment

The group has left the world speechless after their appearance on the eighth season of America’s Got Talent. They take shadow-dancing to an unprecedented level.

Their endless creativity means that you can work together with them and design the experience they will deliver. You have the unique opportunity to present your cause through beautiful imagery.

The seemingly impossible shapes and forms they make are not only there to impress. They also tell a story. Through that story, the artists touch the hearts of those who watch.

Catapult Entertainment is ready to reach the sensitive side of any guest. With their moving performance, your fundraiser event will surely be a success.

4. Simon Pierro

Magicians have always looked for new tricks to wow their audience, but Simon is a real innovator. Nicknamed “The iPad Magician”, this entertainer combines good old magic with modern technology.

Not only is Simon, a great magician, but he also develops his apps, adding depth to his performance. While watching his show, your perception will be challenged. By the end, you will not know what’s real and what’s digital.

Simon has a large fan base in Germany, his home country, as well as the US. He has been on the Ellen Degeneres Show as well as many German TV shows. He is the best at what he does, and no one can deny that.

With Simon Pierro, the line between magic and technology is nonexistent. Your audience will be left with a sense of wonder and amazement.

Which Entertainer Is Best for Your Fundraiser Event?

The people we presented are all masters in their unique way. They bring different things to the table. The real question is what type of entertainment do you want? What works best for your audience?

HypnoTWIST and Jeff Allen specialize in unadulterated fun. Catapult Entertainment and Simon Pierro can leave people speechless. There are also many other talented artists out there with their skills.

Need Help Booking Entertainment for Your Event?

If you want to book the best Entertainment for your event, then we’re here to help you organize a Nonprofit event. Give us a call at (615) 283-0039, and we will gladly assist you!

There are over 1,400 top performers included in our portfolio so you will have plenty of excellent options to choose from. Start browsing now!

3 Proven Fundraising Event Ideas To Raise More Money

May 10, 2019 by Tim Grable

Last updated on June 26th, 2019 at 06:24 am

Organizing a fundraising event is a traditional way of gathering support for a cause. It’s no surprise why, considering that their potential for raising money is significant.

However, while they can be extremely lucrative, charity events also require an investment of resources and careful planning. However, it would help if you weren’t discouraged or intimidated by this.

With proven fundraising event ideas, your next event can be a resounding success.

Be sure to keep on reading this article, because the following ideas which we’re going to highlight will surely capture your interest and inspire you.

1. A Benefit Concert

Music is an appropriate addition to most events. However, in the case of a fundraising event, it can be a goldmine.

Organizing a concert can be one of the proven fundraising event ideas that you can set into action. Regardless of the event’s size, the place where you want to host it, and how many people you’re aiming to attract, you can find a music act that will fit your event’s needs.

In terms of monetizing a benefit concert, you have many options at your disposal, such as:

Charging for tickets.
Including donation boxes.
Selling concert merch.
Charging an additional fee for backstage access.

Once you’ve established the scale of your benefit concert and which are the best ways to monetize it, you can go ahead and hire the best musicians or bands that you think will fit the bill.

2. A Variety Show

With this type of event, your focus will have to be on the entertainment aspect.

Although there is no need for a large stage or a huge venue, you will have to pay extra attention to what kind of entertainment you will offer your guests. Try to pick something that the vast majority of your guests will enjoy.

For example, you can organize a magic-infused event and have variety shows performers entertain and delight your guests. Pick acts that are interactive to make the audience feel more involved in the event.

3. An Auction

Organizing an auction can be one of the proven fundraising event ideas. They are known for their potential to raise money and they’re beneficial when it comes to engaging the participants.

The key to organizing a successful auction is to have the right items for sale. Look for items that your donors are going to find exciting. Plus, know that the more exclusive an item is, the better.

Art is usually a choice you can’t go wrong with at an auction. Also, you can even use this opportunity to hire an artist to paint an item that will be auctioned off.

Heidi Schwartz is a live event painter that you won’t regret hiring, as she can immortalize your event into one painting.

Her painting will most likely be highly-coveted by all those attending your charity, making it an ideal item to include in your auction.

Which Proven Fundraising Event Ideas Will You Go For?

If implemented well, the ideas featured in this article can help you raise much money for your cause, so we hope you will consider giving them a try.

If you need help finding the right performer for your event, you can give us a call at (615) 283-0039, and we will gladly assist you!

4 Successful Fundraiser Ideas for Nonprofits You Should Know about

April 25, 2019 by Tim Grable

Last updated on June 9th, 2019 at 01:24 pm

Finding new fundraiser ideas for nonprofits is no walk in the park, and doing it consistently is even harder. There is a lot of pressure riding on you to come up with profitable ideas which will raise enough money to keep your organization moving forward.

To help you out, we listed four top ideas you can use to plan exciting events and gain support for your cause. Let’s dive right in!

1. County Fair

As you probably know, this is the time of the year when county fairs are starting to pop out throughout the country. These types of events usually gather many people and thus represent an excellent opportunity to raise money for your cause.

Instead of organizing a fundraiser event from scratch, you can reach out to organizers of a local county fair happening in your area. Talk to them about your organization’s cause and ask to be a part of the county fair.

Set up a booth to attract county-fair goers and get a chance to tell them about your nonprofit, the cause it supports and how they can contribute.

2. Bowling Day

A bowling alley is probably not the first venue which comes to mind when thinking about hosting a fundraiser event – but that element of novelty is precisely what will help your event stand out from the rest.

Reach out to a bowling alley in your area to rent a group of lanes. If you know you will have many guests, rent the entire space. Make sure to take care of this aspect as early on as possible and see if you can get a discount for renting multiple lanes.

To raise money, ask an entrance fee to the event. At the event, divide guests into teams and consider offering small prizes to those who win (such as branded merchandise).

3. Community Picnic

With the weather warming up, you can start thinking about applying more fundraiser ideas for nonprofits which involve hosting fun events outside – like a community picnic.

It’s a great way to raise awareness about your cause among community members, as well as get people to interact in a fun and casual manner.

To raise money, you can charge for the food and drinks being served during the event. Make sure you have a team of dedicated volunteers helping you out with handing out the food or hire a catering company – if you can.

Also, think about pitching your idea to local businesses like bakeries or sandwich shops which may be willing to support your cause by contributing to the event.

4. Doggie Happy Hour

This is one of those fundraiser ideas for nonprofits which pretty much appeal to any demographic.

After all, few things are better than getting to play with an adorable dog while sipping from a delicious drink, right? As the name suggests, this event idea involves community members bringing out their cutest four-legged friends for a fun get-together.

To raise money for your cause, you’ll ask for an entrance fee to the event. Just make sure guests are aware of the allergy risks which come with interacting with dogs. Also, if your event is open to minors, it’s best to stick to serving non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails.

Liked These Fundraiser Ideas for Nonprofits and Want More?

If you enjoyed these ideas and want to keep the inspiration coming, then be sure to check out some the other blog posts posted on our site.

We’re continually adding new articles, so you get new information.