When it comes to earning a large sum of money for your organization in a short period of time, hosting a fundraising event is often much more efficient than other fundraising techniques. Inviting your supporters for a traditional fundraising event, like a charity dinner, is an effective method of appealing your primary supporters. However, a growing number of organizations are offering more creative fundraising events that attract new supporters. From day-long festivals to exciting wilderness adventures, planning an unusual fundraising event will get your members thinking outside the box while giving your organization's coffers a much-needed boost.
The most important thing to bear in mind when you are planning a fundraising event is to consider events that the majority of your members and supporters will find interesting. For example, environmental organizations will be much more likely to attract a large number of followers with whitewater paddling trips or nature hikes than more formal events. On the other hand, charities that are primarily concerned with changing a particular public policy are likely to raise the most funds by arranging for a panel of experts to speak on related subjects or by hosting relevant workshops. Some charities are more appropriate for family-friendly events like carnivals or music festivals, while others will benefit from more formal fundraising events.
If you really want to get your supporters engaged at your next fundraising event, you might consider taking advantage of their natural sense of competition by offering some challenging games or tournaments at your event. For example, a golf tournament is an effective method of encouraging some of your higher-income supporters to making a generous donation at your fundraising event, while legal poker and board game tournaments are better for attracting larger crowds. Simple contests like trivia quizzes are an effective method of keeping people interested at more formal fundraising events like charity dinners or academic presentations.