8 Creative Tricks to Help You Organize a Community Fundraiser
Community fundraisers are important events that bring people together to raise money to support local causes. However, organizing a successful fundraiser can be difficult and time-consuming. Fortunately, you can use several creative tricks to make the planning process easier and more efficient.
1. Create an Online Fundraising Platform
Developing an online fundraising platform is one of the most effective ways to help organize a community fundraiser. By creating an online platform, donors can easily donate money electronically and track progress towards various goals throughout the event. Additionally, you can provide updates about the event in real-time without having to worry about printing or mailing materials.
Additionally, setting up an online platform also allows you to accept donations from worldwide, which can be incredibly helpful if your fundraiser is international in scope.
2. Have a Bake Sale or Auction
This is an easy way to raise money for a particular cause and allows donors to be more directly involved in the event. Additionally, it can create an atmosphere of friendly competition as people bid against each other on items they want to purchase.
To ensure success, you should ensure enough items are donated or made ahead of time. The key is to find something unique and desirable so that people will be encouraged to donate their hard-earned money.
3. Set Up Donation Stations
If your fundraiser is going to be held in one location, consider setting up donation stations throughout the venue. This will allow guests to easily donate any amount they want without waiting in line at the front desk or approaching a volunteer.
It also allows you to collect donations in different forms (cash, check, or credit card) while adding a visual element to the event that can help draw more attention and encourage people to donate.
4. Have Banners, Posters, and Signage
Having banners, posters, and signage around the venue can help to motivate people to donate and spread awareness about the cause. It also helps remind people that they are contributing money to something meaningful and important.
You put up all these materials ahead of time but have a few volunteers to help put them up and take them down when the event is over. You can also add creativity by using an inflatable tube man, which can help draw more attention because it is so eye-catching.
5. Offer Refreshments
Offering refreshments is an easy way to show your appreciation for donors and encourage them to stay longer (and donate more money!). You can offer simple snacks like cookies, chips, and popcorn, or if you have the budget, you can provide a full meal.
Additionally, offering refreshments helps create a positive atmosphere and makes people feel welcome at the event. This will make them more likely to return and contribute money again.
6. Host a Talent Show or Concert
Hosting a talent show or concert is another great way to draw people in and get them excited about the cause. You can even have a ticket system so that all money from ticket sales goes directly to the fundraiser. Additionally, this can be a great opportunity to showcase local talents and support the arts simultaneously.
To ensure success, you should make sure that there is enough space for the performers as well as plenty of seating for guests. You should also provide sound equipment and other technical needs ahead of time so that everything runs smoothly on the event day.
7. Sell Merchandise or Hold a Raffle
Creating merchandise or items people can buy is another great way to encourage donations. You can create t-shirts, mugs, hats, and other items with the fundraiser’s logo or design. You can also hold a raffle where people can purchase tickets to win bigger prizes like gift cards or vacation packages.
When it comes to selling merchandise or holding a raffle, ensure that you have enough volunteers on hand to help manage the transactions and ensure everything goes smoothly.
8. Involve Sponsors and Partners
Talking to local businesses and organizations for sponsorship is an excellent way to get more visibility for your event and additional funds for the cause. It also allows you to partner with organizations already aligned with the cause and can help support your fundraiser in various ways (such as providing volunteer manpower or advertising).
When involving community sponsors and partners, ensure you have a clear plan of what each organization will get from the partnership. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and that both parties can benefit from the collaboration.
Conclusion
Organizing a community fundraiser can be exhausting, but with the right tools and resources, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. By following these eight creative tricks, you’ll be able to get more people involved in your event and raise more money for a great cause.
