Fundraising Ideas

Best Ways To Increase Revenue Of A Fundraising Event

January 15, 2019 by Tim Grable

A fundraising event can be a great way to raise awareness for your cause. It also can do quite a lot to strengthen relationships with your partners and supporters. So without a doubt, it has an incredible potential to raise a sizeable amount of money.

However, the monetary success of your event greatly depends on the fundraising strategies you employ.

For as much potential as a fundraiser has, not being business savvy about it can lead to a lot of wasted opportunities.

That is why, in the following article, we explore some of the best ways to turn your event into a goldmine.

Attendance Fees

Charging an attendance fee for a fundraising event is a basic way of raising money, but it’s still very efficient. You can do it in the form of selling tickets at the entrance or by having a membership system in place.

Alongside physical ticket sales, you can also do online ticket sales and leverage all the advantages of going digital.

For example, if you are advertising your event through social media, you can easily encourage people to purchase tickets online.

Asking for Sponsorship

Asking for donations can be a very nerve-wracking experience. However, if done right, it can be a jackpot for your fundraising event.

Before asking, though, you need to do a bit of research on the potential donor. Knowing a bit about the donor’s history will show that you’re serious about this future partnership succeeding.

We suggest you visit the potential sponsor in person to make the entire experience more personal.

Be sure to have your pitch ready beforehand, alongside a summary about your organization, the event and its goals. The sponsor is most likely concerned about where the money will go but probably doesn’t have the time to research your organization thoroughly.

Finally, be prepared for rejections as they will happen, but don’t let this fact discourage you. There are many other potential sponsors out there. If you persevere, you will inevitably reach a positive outcome.

Donation-based Crowdfunding

With this fundraising model, the idea is to attract a large audience base for your event and to incentivize people to donate a sum of money voluntarily.

This model is predicated on donations, so there is always an element of uncertainty. After all, you are basing your chances of success on people’s likelihood to support your cause.

However, with this model, you can also hit it big. If many people decide to contribute, there’s a high chance that you’ll raise much more than the expected amount.

Add Something Extra to Your Fundraising Event

The fundraising models showcased in this article are excellent ways to increase your organization’s revenue.

An audience will undoubtedly be more willing to donate at your event if you’re offering them an unforgettable experience. In that case, we suggest you add entertainment on your event’s programme and turn it into something that nobody would want to miss.

If this has caught your attention, then call us at (615) 283-0039, and we will gladly help you find the right performer for your event!

What Type Of Fundraising Event Should I Organize?

December 27, 2018 by Tim Grable

Organizing a fundraising event can be very beneficial for your organization, no doubt about it. It can build quite a positive reputation, and people will be more willing to support an organization that does something for the community.

If the public perception is positive, then you can be sure that this will have favorable effects on your organization’s goal. That is why it’s safe to say that the right event idea can be worth millions.

So, in the following article, we put forth a few excellent ideas to help you get started.

Set Up an Art Show

Art has the power to capture people’s attention. It evokes both strong feelings and thoughts. So perhaps, one of the most impressive traits that it has is that art has the power to spark a dialogue.

If you choose art as the central theme of your fundraising event, you should consider one of the following ideas:

Organizing an exhibition. The chances are that there are at least a few local artists who want to gain a bit more exposure for their art. You can ask them to donate some of their works. If there are any potential buyers, you can put the art up for auction.

Organizing an art sale. You can turn this type of event into an open fair, where artists put their works up for sale.
Talent showcase. In this type of event, the focus will be entirely on the artists. You can hire them to showcase their skills to the audience live.

For this last part, we can suggest an incredible idea for entertainment that will surely take the attendees by surprise: sand painting in front of a live audience.

Joe Castillo is one of the most renowned sand painters in the world. His artistic prowess and ability to create a compelling story are unmatched. And that’s why his shows are a treat to watch.

Organize a Benefits Concert

A benefits concert is a very ample way of raising funds for a noble cause. Music has the power to get people together and to unify them toward a common goal.

Not to mention, the prospect of listening to good music while helping to make a difference in the world sounds tempting to anyone.

For this type of event, make sure you book a venue that’s large enough to host a band and a large audience.

As for the artists, you can recruit local artists to promote local talent. Besides that, we also suggest hiring a professional musician or a band.

Having many years of experience on stage, they are bound to offer your audience a truly unforgettable experience.

Put Together a Dinner Party

Whether you want the event to be formal or a tad bit lighthearted, one thing is for certain, a great dinner party never fails.

Parties of this type are usually luncheons, cocktail or wine-tasting events.

While everyone is gathered to enjoy their delicious meals, we recommend you provide them with some entertainment.

In this instance, we can suggest hiring a comedian. Someone with an energetic attitude and a lot of humor is bound to make your fundraising event a blast.

Kick Your Fundraising Event into High Gear

The ideas featured in this article are great to start a fundraiser, but why stop here?

We, the Grable Group, are a booking and talent management agency. If you want to enhance your guests’ experience, then don’t miss the chance to hire professional entertainers for your event.

Don’t hesitate to contact us at (615) 283-0039 and we will gladly help you find top-quality entertainment.

How to Organize a Successful Fundraising Event Step by Step

December 10, 2018 by Tim Grable

Last updated on December 23rd, 2018 at 12:24 am

Organizing a fundraising event can be very challenging. There are so many details to take into account such as building a team, the finances, the logistics, the advertising.

This article will take you through a step by step guide on how to organize a fundraiser which will be nothing short of remarkable.

1. Come up with a Plan

One of the first things you will have to do is to set the objective of your event. It is basically what you are hoping to achieve through your fundraiser.

Ask this question – what purpose is this event going to serve? Will it help raise awareness? Or is it meant to promote a product?

Once you have established the goal, you can go on and research the market to identify the audience. Here, you will have to paint the profile of the people who are likely to attend the event and, furthermore, of those who are likely to donate.

When you have a general idea of how the event will pan out and what kind of people are likely to attend it, then you can proceed to set the deadline.

2. Build a Team

A fundraising event is quite a hassle, and you will need the help of others to pull it off. So, you’ll need to set up a designated fundraising team. If you are having a hard time finding people, you can always seek out volunteers.

Once you have managed to assemble a roster of personnel, you will have to split up the tasks between everyone. Asses your team members’ skills and delegate the tasks depending on what each of them can help with.

3. Think About the Finances

At this point, you should establish how your event is going to raise the intended amount of money.

It’s a case of thinking which kind of fundraising tactic you are going to employ – will it be done through donations, will it be done by charging general fees or will it be done by selling tickets?

Another step which has to do with finances and which is instrumental for your fundraising event is all about managing the budget and the costs.

This is a world of its own, but basically, you will have to write down a list of all the expenses and to see if your budget matches the vision of the event.

4. Consider the Logistics

In this stage of organizing your fundraiser, you will have to establish the time and date when the event will take place. Choosing the right day of the week is also important because it can influence the number of people who can attend.

Ideally, you would want to set the starting day of the event during the weekends. So the best days to pick are Friday and Saturday since people won’t be at work.

Also, another important aspect to consider is the location. You will have to find a good location which will be able to house the number of attendants you are projecting for the event.

5 Ways to Create Buzz for Your Next Fundraising Event

Charity dynamics can be quite demanding. There’s a continuous motion between carrying out current activities and raising the money for them. So, non-profit people also need to become experts in producing a fundraising event.

The first stage of such an event planning process is to come up with some fantastic ideas to promote and launch it. This phase sets out the entire trend of the event. So, you need to make sure it rocks.

Here are five ideas to use for hyping people up for your following fundraising experience.

1. Create a Story

Great stories are unforgettable. Most of all, they trigger emotional and personal engagement in the long run. How can we make a story memorable?

First, shape it in ways that give people a sense of belonging. They need to feel part of a story or becoming part of the solution.
Secondly, make it shareable. Give the story various shapes and sizes that are easy to share online. It’s amazing how much people enjoy sharing ideas that they identify with!
Finally, come up with a story-related hashtag. Such “keywords” can become your strongest promoters if done right. You can use them for media sharing, or as copy prints for traditional advertising. They can turn into a highly promoted idea that goes beyond that particular event you’re planning.

2. Make Social Media Your Most Powerful Weapon

Have you taken a look at people around you, lately? They tend to be glued to a smartphone screen all the time. This virtual environment may be your best chance to reach your audience. Make sure to maximize it.

Share your story. The hashtag and reshaped versions of your “tale” can do miracles when shared on different social media platforms. Test and try several channels and see which one hits best.
Set up a contest online. Contests are excellent tools to induce a sense of anticipation and eagerness as the event gets closer.
Use photos. Let your audience anticipate an amazing experience by sharing photos from previous events. Or, set up a funny photo corner for people to take pictures during the event. They will be incredible traffic generators during and after the event.

3. Use Conventional Advertising in Unconventional Ways

Who says you need to spread flyers everywhere to get people interested in your fundraising event? Think of your audience’s profile, values, and interests. Then, get creative and focused when promoting your event.

Direct mail with a card or invitation having a suggestive photo and piece of your story. A child-focused charity can ask some teens to do some face-paint and deliver those invitations themselves.
Stationery imprinted with your event hashtag or idea. Hand them out in relevant contexts, depending on your target audience. A non-profit fighting for clean water in developing countries can give out cups with dirty water imprints during some public event.
Newspaper releases can be more than dull event announcements. Why not adding a bit humor to the message? You can also include a photo from a previous event or a testimonial.

4. Announce a Famous and Popular Entertainer for Your Fundraising Event.

A well-known entertainer will surely excite your audience’s interest in attending the fundraising event. Even if nothing else does. Just make sure to announce it out loud! Adjust your entertaining ideas to your audience:

Live music. You may hire some new celebrities from “America’s got talent”, like Bria Kelly or Cami Bradley.
Fun or inspirational speeches. Prepare to add a note of fun or inspiration with some popular speakers or comedians. It could be a great way of sharing your story or give some motivational boost to your attendees.
Unconventional art. You can invite a live event painter, like Heidi Schwartz or a sand storyteller, like Joe Castillo. This type of art tends to be attractive for being new and insightful. It takes people through a mysterious process, leading to a mind-blowing revelation. This experience tends to inspire people long after it ends.

5. Follow Up and Get Ready For The Following Fundraising Event

Successful charities are those that are many steps ahead with planning. So, once your ceremony is over, start buzzing online to keep your audience engaged until the next one.

Share photos from the event.
Start conversations online about the ceremony. By tagging attendees, their friends and connections will get to hear about it as well.

All the above ideas are starting points for a successful fundraising event. Start planning while keeping an open mind regarding new approaches.

Are you willing to use the celebrity trigger? Allow us to assist you in choosing the personality that best suits your event.

Just contact us and let us share our list of brilliant entertainers.

The Extra Factor for Your Fundraising Event

By carefully going over each of these steps, you will be able to set up your event. However, something is missing in its composition. To guarantee its success, your event needs a “wow” factor!

Thankfully, the solution is not at all complicated.

Going for entertainment is the sure-fire way to attract an audience and to compel people to hear more about your initiative. For your event, you can hire a speaker, a comedian, a band or a magician.

If you want to have performers of the highest standards at your event, you can call 615 283 0039 for more information, and we can help you.

The Complete Guide on How to Organize the Perfect Fundraising Event

December 4, 2018 by Tim Grable

Last updated on December 10th, 2018 at 05:33 am

A fundraising event is a popular way to raise money for an initiative. While they can be very rewarding, you also have to consider that organizing such events can be expensive and will require much hard work.

Thankfully, we have put together a comprehensive guide which will walk you through the essentials of setting up a fundraiser which is set to win!

Establish the Event’s Purpose

Usually, besides raising money for an initiative, a fundraising event has a secondary objective it must achieve. Before going on to organize the event, you must establish what you are ultimately trying to accomplish through it.

Maybe you are looking to raise awareness, to gain publicity or to network. Whatever the reason might be, you want your objective to be clear from the get-go.

After that has been settled, then you can figure out how to proceed next.

Set Your Fundraising Goal

It would be best if you established what monetary threshold you are looking to achieve. There a few variables to consider when you’re deciding what amount of money you want to raise at your fundraising event.

This depends on what is the objective of your initiative, what will the money be used for or what their intended purpose is. Once you have established that, you can proceed to come up with ways on how you will raise that amount of money.

There are numerous ways to approach this aspect. You can maybe have an entrance fee, or you will rely entirely on donations.

Consider Your Budget

It would be best if you did a listing of all the expenses required for the event. Knowing the budget is essential to give you a sense of the event’s possibilities and how it will pan out.

Your budget plan should include the expenses of the following:

staff
invitations
rent for the venue
catering for the event
security
the utilities
entertainment
props.

Remember always to have some extra money for situations which might lead to unforeseen costs.

It’s imperative, when you’re budgeting, taking your fundraising goal into account – you wouldn’t want to end up spending more than you are looking to raise.

Promote Your Fundraising Event

Think of your event as something similar to a new product. Once you’re ready to put it out, you need to market it to ensure its success heavily.

It would be best if you convinced your audience that this event is worth spending their time and money on.

There is no cookie-cutter way on how to successfully market your event, but that is the beauty of it since you can get creative with this process.

Some methods of spreading the word about your event are invitations, flyers, posters, contacting the media, publicity campaigns or word of mouth.

Offer An Amazing Experience

You want your event to be special and to offer your audience a meaningful experience. That is why you should consider entertainment as the main attraction.

You will quickly see the benefits of entertainment in how people will perceive your event.

If you are considering this option, then do not hesitate to call us at (615) 283-0039 and you can be sure that you are getting the best entertainment out there.

How to Put Together a Successful Fundraising Event Program

November 26, 2018 by Tim Grable

A fundraising event program is quintessential to give your fundraising event a sense of direction. Many non-profits, small charities or start-ups make the mistake of organizing the event on the fly, without adhering to a schedule.

This can lead up to a lot of unpredictable situations which might end up affecting the event’s progress.

So, if you want to avoid all the mishaps and do things the proper way, you’ll have to put together an event program that you and your team will stick to zealously.

Thankfully, we have put forth a step by step guide which will help you set up everything within the right time frame.

A Convenient Fundraising Event Program

Your objective is to make sure that all your guests receive the program. For that, you will have to keep in mind of the audience’s demographic and pick a format that is more convenient for them.

You can use event apps, which are software made to help you with the organizational part of the event. They allow you to quickly set up the program and ship it in an easily readable format to all the guests who have a smartphone and have connected to your app.

These kinds of apps also provide a lot of useful features, such as allowing you to make modifications to the schedule and notifying people about it.

Keep in mind that the classic paper format isn’t obsolete. You can print your program on paper and hand it out to the attendees. This format is ideal if your audience base is an older demographic who are less likely to download apps.

The Importance of the Starting Day

If your event is spanning multiple days, the first day is of utmost importance. It’s the day in which your fundraising event program is made public and set in motion.

An opening ceremony is the first thing that you should begin your event with. It serves as a proper introduction for all the attendants.

Afterward, depending on your event’s theme, make sure to distribute the activities evenly, so that they don’t overlap.

Also, make sure to include some breaks between the activities, so that people have time to digest the information.

Keep the Best Parts for Last

As the events unfold, you would want to have the most attendants during the event’s hallmark. To achieve this, you have to set it at a time where most people have the possibility of attending.

The best time to set it is usually during the evening when most people are free from work and can attend your event without worries.

As a rule of thumb, when you’re planning your fundraising event program, make sure to set the highlight of the event as a final act or close to the event’s end.

If you set it too early, there is always the risk of people leaving right after the said act ends.

Leave Some Room for Entertainment

There is one thing missing on your event program – an entertainment act.

Breaks are good for a breather, but they’re not engaging enough. What your event needs is a dose of entertainment on the schedule.

If you are looking to create a pleasant atmosphere and give your audience an unforgettable experience, then call us at 615 283 0039, and we will help you book entertainment of the highest quality!