A guide to organising a charity fundraising event
You’ve decided to put on an event. The budget has been allocated, your team are prepped and the flipchart is ready. The only question now is… What next?
There is nothing more daunting than a blank piece of paper. That’s why the Institute of Fundraising have created a great fundraising events checklist to make planning a charity event easier to manage.
How to organise a charity event
We know charity fundraising events are the lifeblood of many organisations. They can raise awareness of your cause, reach a new audience, and give people a fantastic experience all while using the event to raise money for a charity. But we also know planning charity events can be daunting. There are a number of considerations to take into account to make sure charity events go smoothly, and to make sure all of your activity follows the requirements on insurance, health and safety, sponsorship and more.
Charity fundraising events can take many different forms, from very formal, high profile events, to smaller community-based activities. That’s why we’ve created this short guide that will cover the topics you need to help you make the most of your charity events.
In our events planning checklist we’ve summarised some of the key points covered by the Institute of Fundraising, as well as adding in a few of the lessons we’ve learnt working with charities just like you. Topics cover the whole charity events planning timeline, from getting to know your audience and creating a great product, through to organising the specifics of your event and getting creative to ensure your event stands out, and even how to define the success of your event and enjoying it on the day.
1. Charity events planning checklist
Step 1: Know your audience
Do not make assumptions. Plan your event around what you know people want, not what you think they want. Take the time to do some research and build a clear picture of your supporters.
This groundwork will be the foundation for each and every angle of your event – from activity planning through to prospecting, bookings and donation mechanisms.
Step 2: Present a great product
You will not be the first person to have been told you ‘should’ be doing an event. But don’t let this pressure you into doing something for the sake of it. Events are not cheap. Make sure you choose the right product for your audience, and that your event is backed by a clear rationale, vision and objective.
Ask yourself why you are doing it, and what you want to achieve. If you can’t answer these simple questions, then it is time to go back to the drawing board.
Step 3: Define success
Aside from surviving the project management process, you need to consider what success means to you and your organisation. Are you looking to raise funds, create networks or build relationships
Set your standards from the start and take some time out to reflect on your progress before and after the event.
Step 4: Get creative
Each of your prospects will likely receive dozens of invitations from a number of worthy causes. Make sure yours stands out. From invitation to follow-up, you need to give people a reason to attend.
Avoid hours of speeches, keep your content relevant and fresh. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, or be too complicated. But what it does need to be is a memorable and professional representative of your organisation, and its values.
Step 5: Prepare for the worst
It might sound ridiculous, but the fact is you never know. If you are hosting an event for summer, have a plan for rain. If you’re asking people to get active, make sure you have a risk assessment. Chances are, it won’t happen. But you need to be prepared if it does.
Step 6: Plan, check and check again
You cannot get through any event without a project plan, budget and CHECKLIST. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ‘wing it’ or do everything on your own. Take time out to create a proper workflow and to delegate tasks. Cross-check guest lists, invites and RSVPs.
Think through data collection, consent and individual follow- up. And when the day arrives, make sure that final checklist has been triple-checked.
Step 7: Enjoy it
After months of planning, this is your time to shine. People are there because they want to be. There is no better way to get to know your supporters. The hard work is almost done, so be sure to let the passion of your organisation shine through. Give them an event to remember - and make sure you invite them to next year’s.
Experience the feeling of control as you design, plan and manage your events with Access thankQ CRM.
Experience the feeling of control as you design, plan and manage your events with Access thankQ CRM.
Experience the feeling of control as you design, plan and manage your events with Access Charity CRM.
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