6 Tips For Throwing A Successful Fundraising Event

Getting people to donate to your cause doesn’t always come easy, but if you are creative in your fundraising efforts, you’ll find that guests are more likely to donate to a worthy cause. If your company or organization is looking to raise funds for their next project or to give back to the community, you may be wondering how to throw a great event that will surpass fundraising targets. The team at Entourage Events Group has helped assist in the production of numerous fundraising events for large corporations and small organizations, and we’d be happy to share some of our tips for a successful event. Below, we share six tips for throwing a successful fundraising event.

1. Set The Scene With The Right Venue

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, don’t just book your event at the first hotel convention center that can accommodate a group of your size. You want the venue to set the stage for a wonderful night, and a dimly lit convention center with beige walls hardly does the trick. Dazzle with picturesque views of the city like you’ll find at The Riverside, or amaze with elegance at a venue like The Grand 1858. Let the venue speak for your organization from the moment your guests arrive.

2. Time Your Event To Your Audience

You want to ensure that your event is scheduled for a time that is ideal for your group and your guests. If you’ll be hosting a large portion of employees and clients, don’t plan it during normal business hours. If you want families to be able to attend, consider a weekend afternoon or evening. Pick a time that coincides with the obligations of your organization and your attendees.

3. Consider How You Can Best Raise Money

You might be hosting a fundraiser event, but that doesn’t mean people will just show up and write checks. Find creative or enticing ways to get people to donate to your cause. Run a 50-50 raffle, organize a silent auction, or offer a VIP experience to those who donate at a certain level.

4. Feed Your Group

Oftentimes charity or fundraising events sell seats or tables at an event that includes a delicious meal option, so consider making a meal one of the main aspects of your event. A meal can provide a great opportunity for a keynote speaker to make a donation pitch or explain how the donations will be used. Our team has catered countless fundraising events and weddings, so we know how to feed a large group with ease. Learn more about our catering options on this page.

5. Get The Word Out

You need to effectively market your event so that people are excited about coming to your event and donating to your cause. Emails, flyers, social media posts, formal invites, you name it. Don’t just let people know that an event is taking place, let them know what to expect and make them want to come. Let them know about dinner, raffles, music, prizes and anything else that will have people wanting to come to your event. You first need to sell the event before you can sell people on your cause or your vision.

6. Budget

The last item on our list is something you’ll want to set early on in the process, because a successful fundraising event relies on keeping expenses under a set threshold. Set a budget and stick to it. That can be harder than you might imagine if you’re trying to organize the event with a number of different companies. At Entourage Events Group, we can be your singular point of contact for venue hosting, decoration and lighting, food and beverages and other entertainment options. We make it easy to work within a budget and avoid any surprise expenses. Let our team help keep your event under budget to maximize the success of your fundraiser.

For more tips on throwing a perfect fundraising event, or to learn more about how our team can help you raise funds for your next venture, reach out to the team at Entourage Events Group today at (612) 564-3777.