Don’t Forget the Fun in Fundraiser

The act of doing your part to raise money for a good cause or for those less fortunate is a wonderful gesture.  However, you don’t want to forget to honor those who are willing to part with their time or hard-earned money to help out.  A fundraiser is a great opportunity to have fun with friends, family and associates.  If you approach this even in the right manner, people will be happy to help out again, year after year.

Treat it Like Any Other Party  Make it too dry and boring, people will leave before they have made much of a contribution, and they will be far less likely to accept the invitation next year.  Make it a party, and allow the fundraising aspect to be just a piece of the whole.  That means providing entertainment, scheduling fun activities, and implementing attractive decorations.

Be Clear on the Invitations Be sure that others understand your cause and why you hope to raise the specified amount of money, but also let them know that this will be a great time to mingle with friends and new associates.  Also, don’t be afraid to issue a dress code.  People are notoriously willing to pay more per plate, for instance, when the event is formal, than they would for a laid back barbeque.  Ask people to don their nicest clothes and to prepare for an evening of music, dancing, or other such entertainment.

Get Some Help A fundraising event is rarely a one-man show.  It generally requires several people working together to create something memorable.  So, be sure that you recruit others who are willing to work for the cause.  Get their input, assign them specific duties, and reduce the burden on your own shoulders.

Choose a Theme It is a great idea to get others excited by having a theme to the evening.  It also makes it easier to coordinate the dishes to be served, the decorations to be hung, and the style of music to be played.  Consider themes that are directly (and positively) related to the charity you are raising money for.