How to Organize a Charity Benefit

Decide on the goal for the event. How muchAdvertise
money do you expect to make? If you areAdvertise in local and surrounding newspapers,
looking for a smaller amount, try a bake sale,charity newsletters, radio, television, internet and
selling things like candy or items for your home,word of mouth, or any other opportunities that
chili cook off, garage sales, auctions, 50/50 raffles,come your way. It is always a good PR move to
eating at a restaurant that will donate asend out speakers, from time to time, from your
percentage of the sales to your charity and socharity to other non profit groups to speak about
on.your charity or relate some helpful information to
Larger amounts can use many different types ofthe group, they can also promote the event.
fundraising included into the bigger event. What willYour Costs
the benefit be? Try wine tasting, dinner andWhat are the costs to set up the event? If the
entertainment or a style show, golf tournament.event will be small, you may be able to hold it in
Art shows and dinner at your local art museumyour building and use equipment you have. Larger
are some of the most favorite fund raisers. Silentfund raisers may need a rented location and
auction and raffles work well with larger events,equipment. Also, you may need to pay people to
even straight out donations or pledges.set up and tear down. Ask local business to
Organize a Teamdonate their facilities or products. Deposits can be
Organize a team and assign each person or groupcostly and sometimes unexpected, so be sure to
to a specific task. Schedule regular meetings tohave extra cash on hand.
discuss the progress of the event. Set up a timeDate and Time
table and list when each item should be finished.Schedule the even at a time when there will not
Keep detailed records of every thing you do,be too many other things happening. Summer is
after the event, make notes as to what workedwhen many charities hold their events. Try
well and what can be improved upon. This will besomething formal, late February or March.
your guide for the next time.Location
Staffing or VolunteersWho will staff the benefit?The location should be easy to find and have
Paid people or volunteers? Staffing the event iseasy access. It should be handicap accessible.
extremely important and should be handled byInclude a map and directions with the invitations
paid staff most of the time. Use volunteers whoand all advertisements.
have been volunteering for a long period of time.Speaker
One miss spoken work or action could be costly.Hire a well known, entertaining speaker that will
Invitationsdraw people to the event. Some celebrities will do
Who will you invite? If you haven't already, startthis for little or no cost for fundraisers.
a computerized worksheet list of possible donorsEntertainment
with mailing information and a column to recordEntertainment can be very expensive. Look for
donations. This can be used now and in the future.some local musicians or comedians who need
You can also purchase a mailing list from localmore exposure. This would be a good way for
business that deal with mass mailings. They canthem to get free advertising. You will not only be
target a specific audience.promoting the event with their names in every
Invite people from the national headquarters ofadvertisement, when they perform at the event,
your charity. Send a personalized invitation tothe guests will be hear how entertaining they can
corporation heads and local celebrities, or anyonebe. You could even have a mini battle of the
that may be or has been a contributor.bands or battle of the comedians. Pass out ballets
Always include the date and time for the RSVP,and have the guests vote. Give an award to the
knowing that some people will be late inwinner.
responding, plan accordingly.