Fundraising For NonProfits: Organizing Events
Fundraising For NonProfits: Organizing Events
Whether we like it or not, if we are to run a non-profit organization we will have to regularly come up ideas and ways to raise funds to keep the organization running. Almost always it’s going to boil down to soliciting individuals or organizations for help. However, one of the most effective ways of fundraising for non-profit organizations is charity events. They are fun for the organizers and the people who are giving funds will enjoy it too. And if you are worried you have no idea how to go about this, or if you are worried about having to hire a professional who will charge a lot more than you can make from the event, don’t worry. We’ll break it down for you.
There are several things that are crucial, well more than crucial, they are essential to events organizing of any kind; develop an idea, pick a good venue and figure out logistics, a proper or significant time, media hype and other promotions, and a good distribution of labour. Let’s take an example of doing a fundraiser for a non-profit organization that works for environment conservation.
Pick a good idea: Your organization works for environment conservation. So what might be interesting but also fun for the audience and not too complicated for the organizers? Let’s take an example of a photo exhibition on nature and the environment along with a live acoustic music performance. Now think of a name. How about something simple buy resonating such as “This Life.” An online posting in public forums looking for photos related to nature and life, and solo artists who will volunteer for a charity event will produce good result usually. Auction the photos, keep a box with a suggested donation amount also.
Divide labour: Assign people in your organization various aspects of the work listed below.
Pick a venue: Can you get a free venue in your community? How large do you want the event to be? Here’s an example: why not pick a public park, all you have to do is get a permit to hols an event. And it won’t cost much, probably just the city permit costs. Usually it is not too difficult to convince school or other such institutions in the neighbourhood to provide easels that they already have just for a day.
Logistics: Now the event is outdoor, but you want the music to be earthy and ambient, so just get a small setup such as the ones musician vendors use. In fact, give it a feel of a vendor, with a hat or a guitar case in front where people can donate money. And find sponsors for the photo prints. Instead of framing it, which is costly, have them mounted only. That way it looks smart but holds up on a easel.
Time: Make sure it’s not in the monsoon or windy season. And start off in the late morning and run it till late afternoon. That way there is ample light too.
Media/Promotions: Design flyers and post them in schools, shops and where ever they let you. Just don’t pollute! And send personal invites to local and regional media outlets, and call them on the phone personally to follow up. And send photos and press statements after the event to as many media outlets as you can via email.
Now remember, this is only an example of how things will fall into place once you get rolling. Just to show you how simple it can be, and to show you how these elements work. The rest is just letting your creative juices flow and the funds roll in. The idea is minimum cash investment so that no matter what you get will be easy revenue. And always start small so that you get used to events before you jump into organizing something major, which comes with risks attached.