Fundraising Doesn't Have To Be Hair-Raising!

 

Your first fundraising event can raise more than funds—it can be a hair-raising experience as well. Coordinating a non-profit’s first fundraiser is a daunting task, only made more daunting by the fact that it is also an important one. Your first fundraiser is your chance to project the message, style and personality of your non-profit, while assembling a solid donor list. Your first fundraiser will also help you to establish financial baselines for event funding and organization for your future efforts. Done correctly, your first non-profit fundraiser is not only an opportunity to raise a little money and a lot of awareness, but your fundraiser should also be a good time.

 

You probably aren’t expecting to have a good time planning it. There are so many priorities to juggle during the initial planning phase of your first fundraiser that it’s easy to become overwhelmed. That’s why the first step in planning your first fundraising event it to take a long, deep breath. No one expects you to plan your event from scratch—in fact, most people would advise you not to. Many other non-profit organizations have successfully negotiated their first events, and their experiences are a wealth of information for the taking.

 

There are so many options available for fundraising events these days. From casino parties to silent auctions, you name it and a non-profit has done it. Especially when you’re planning your first event, though, the choice that you make will necessarily depend upon your financial position. Without any figures from previous events on how big a return your non-profit will get on the funds it invests in its event, it can be easy to overshoot your slim margin and go bust. It’s best to budget conservatively on your first venture—save the moonlight cruise events for a bit further down the road.

 

Budgeting conservatively doesn’t mean your first event has to feel as though it was done on the cheap, though. One of the easiest ways to organize an event without blowing your budget is to solicit donations of services from organizations. Approach multiple venues that you are considering for your event, for instance, explain who you are and what your organization is working toward, and ask if they would be willing to donate their space for the night of the event. You can try the same tactic with caterers or other food sources, as well as bands or speakers. This is an excellent way to approach potential new donors, since organizations are usually quicker to make donations in kind than in cash; once you have your foot in the door, you can establish a stronger relationship.

 

If you’re having a hard time finding a place to start, don’t be afraid to look to other, more established non-profits for guidance, both in your physical area and in your area of focus. Non-profits that specialize in the same field as your organization can give you helpful tips on effective message campaigning and theming, while organizations in your region that are close to your size can give you a better estimate of what your event will cost you. Their successes and their failures are your best allies—make a point of getting to know them well.

 

It’s important that you go into the planning of your first fundraiser with the right mind-set. Name aside, fundraisers frequently aren’t the best source of revenue for non-profits—in fact, fundraisers frequently cost more money than they make. But organizations continue to plan them for their other virtues. These events help you create positive relationships with both old donors and potential donors, and impress the importance of your organization’s mission on the mind of the public. Manage your budget carefully up front, but when the day of the event itself comes, the most important thing is to get out there, shake a lot of hands and have a great time.

 

 

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