It’s a milestone when a business decides to hold a fundraising event to support a cause it resonates with. A special event will draw attention to the cause and the organisation planning it and allow prospective attendees to learn more about the business.
But most importantly, such an event brings in money to fund the cause.
However, planning an event in 2022 may prove more challenging than expected because the pandemic has a huge impact on the way people socialise and fundraise. For a long time, in-person events were banned, cancelled, and postponed, so organisations had to adapt and develop new ways to raise more for their charity projects. But now that the restrictions are easing worldwide, there’s no reason not to start planning physical gatherings again.
If you’re ready to break the ice and plan your first fundraising event in the post-pandemic age, here are some things to keep in mind.
Why fundraising is important to organisations
Fundraising is an act that allows you to raise money for a specific goal, such as a charitable cause. Fundraising is great both for the cause you support and your organisation’s overall performance and reputation. Here are some benefits you get from planning such a special event.
Fundraising motivates brands to focus on their community’s needs
Funding is crucial for non-profit organisations and charities that focus on particular cases. When you decide to engage with a local charity to help them fund their activities, you find more about your community’s needs and connect with its members. It’s beneficial for both parties because you draw attention to the cause and encourage your public to donate and help, and the public learns about your business. Fundraising events gain visibility for organisers, so your community will have no issues recognising your name.
Planning a fundraising event is great for teamwork
If you want to motivate your employees to learn to collaborate, planning a fundraising event can help. Everyone at your business is probably working on their own separate tasks, which often makes the team feel disjointed. But if you plan an event to raise money for a cause you all support and relate to, everyone could be brought together to work towards one specific mission.
Fundraising events help you share your causes and values with the world
You can use this special event to share your values and ideas with the attendees and the public. By choosing a charitable cause to promote and support, you let them know you want to get involved in the community and make the world a better place. You can use advertisements to explain your purpose clearly and ask your audience to join you in your initiative. If you do it well, you can grow your brand’s popularity quickly and easily.
The most important steps to follow when planning a fundraising event
The payoff of a fundraising event can be amazing, but the venture requires careful planning to ensure that you deliver a memorable event. Let’s walk through some essential steps you should follow.
Identify your goals for the event
The key to hosting a successful event is to identify your goals for it. In this case, the main goal is to raise as much money as possible and draw attention to the cause you support. To find the proper monetary goal, you need to select a fundraising strategy and determine if it fits your event.
Besides raising funds for the cause, other goals you can set for the event are:
– Engage prospective donors in the long run
– Promote the cause and gain publicity
– Engage with the local community
No matter what your goals are, it’s crucial to find ways to quantify them.
Make sure everyone is safe during the event
When planning an event with dozens or even hundreds of guests, you need to pay careful attention to all details, especially to safety and security. If you plan to serve foods and beverages during the event, ensure you ask everyone about their allergies and provide them with safe alternatives to keep the attendees entertained. In case you find it too challenging to ask everyone about food preferences and intolerances, display information about the foods and drinks’ ingredients in visible places so everyone can easily see them.
It’s also crucial to evaluate the space to identify possible hazards that may trigger personal injuries. During your fundraising event, the last thing you need is for someone to trip or fall due to your negligence to remove obstacles. If someone gets injured, they can hire a solicitor like those working for Personal Injury Claims UK to help them claim compensation. A lawsuit could cost you more than you raise during the event. If you don’t know what areas to focus on, hire a specialist to evaluate your space and create a safe environment for your guests.
Decide upon what type of event you want to plan
Before sending invitations, you need to figure out what type of event you want to host. The secret to identifying the perfect kind of event is to understand what your donors expect. Check the guest list to get a picture of the type of fundraising event they might be interested in.
Here is a list of questions to answer to help you in the process.
– What activities do your guests prefer to get involved in? You may want to plan some activities for the event to keep attendees engaged and entertained.
– Where do your guests live? It’s essential to choose a location nearby their residences.
– Will weather impact the event? In case you decide to host an outdoor event, you should ensure the weather doesn’t impact the party.
– Do you target a specific demographic? Does the cause have a specific group of supporters?
The type of fundraising event you plan heavily impacts your results. If you want to attract your community’s attention, you may want to host an accessible event, but an auction might be a better choice if you want to raise a high amount of money.