It’s always good to support young people as they grow and develop. This could involve talking to your child about their future or helping them organize a fundraising event. The latter can be a highly rewarding task, but it can also bring some challenges. It’s important to plan out each step of the process, in order to ensure that it’s effective and runs smoothly. This article can give you the keys to helping young ones organize a successful fundraising event.
Brainstorm Some Ideas
Brainstorming can enable young people to come up with creative and original ways to raise funds. It helps build excitement around the cause, and keeps volunteers engaged. Encourage them to ask questions like, “What can we organize that will get folks excited?” or “What kind of activities will make an impact?” Encourage young organizers to think outside the box and consider many different kinds of events. Ideas could include:
- hosting bake sales
- creating custom t-shirts or mugs (featuring artwork or logos related to the cause)
- organizing 5K races or other outdoor events
- setting up donation centers in local stores or businesses
- collecting gently used items for resale at a yard sale event
Once they’ve chosen an idea, let them create a list of achievable goals and actionable tasks. They should break down each one into smaller steps, and assign responsibilities for each one. The internet can provide further advice regarding their chosen activity. If they want to know how to run a cookie dough fundraiser for the school, specialist websites will suggest forming a small committee and assigning a leader. They’ll discuss whether to use homemade or store-bought dough, and how to take orders and make deliveries.
Set a Goal And Allocate A Budget
It’s important to make sure that the goal’s realistic and attainable given the time frame, resources available, and the number of participants involved. It’s sensible to develop a benchmark or timeline with shorter-term goals throughout, to help keep everyone focused and motivated. Finally, create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their ideas without being ignored or shouted down.
The young people should determine the amount of money needed for the project. This includes considering what expenses are necessary, and which ones can be cut down or eliminated. It’s also important to plan for unexpected costs by setting aside a contingency fund. This should be in addition to the main budget covering things like catering fees and venue rental.
Identify The Target Audience
Research and analyze who the potential donors are, what motivates them to give, and how best to reach them with your message. It’s essential to determine what age group the fundraising event should be aimed at, and whether there are any special considerations that need to be taken into account. For example, younger participants may need more guidance on how to participate in the fundraiser, and may require additional incentives or activities in order to keep them engaged.
Additionally, it’s essential to identify the target audience’s communication preferences. This is so you can effectively deliver messages through social media or other online platforms that they use frequently.
Plan The Activities
Try to think of a variety of activities that’ll appeal to all ages and abilities – whether it’s a treasure hunt, face painting, or arts and crafts. Make sure you have enough volunteers available to help supervise these activities. Ensure that the helpers are familiar with any games or tasks they’ll be overseeing.
Additionally, you may wish to organize an auction or raffle. Make sure you have plenty of prizes and items up for grabs. If possible, invite local businesses or celebrities who can offer something unique as part of the prize bundle.
Select a Venue
The venue should be large enough to hold the expected attendance, and it must also provide adequate space for the activities planned. It’s also important to consider any potential obstacles, such as noise levels or accessibility/parking issues. The cost of renting out the space should be taken into account before choosing. Most venues will charge by-hour or day rates, and will require payment in advance.
Research different venues by sourcing recommendations from other organizations (that have recently hosted events similar in size and scope). Plan some visits ahead of time, so you can get a better idea of what facilities each venue provides. Book early to access more choices, and obtain quotes from different venues, to compare prices.
Reach Out To Donors
Research different companies and organizations in the local community that may be interested in making a donation. Try to find individuals who have supported similar causes or events in the past. It’s also beneficial to connect with people from your network who can introduce you to potential donors. When creating copies of documents for the fundraiser, the young people should include detailed information about:
- the cause
- goals for the event
- how donations will be used
This is essential as it helps build trust with the donor. Additionally, follow up promptly after sending out copies of documents. This shows them that their help is highly appreciated and needed. Finally, thank donors sincerely for their help. A handwritten letter or a small token of appreciation can go a long way. It could also help build relationships should there be any future planned fundraising events.
Measure The Success
This will determine how the event went and what might be changed for future fundraisers. Track the total dollars raised, number of donors, average donation size, etc. It’s also important to consider how much time was spent on fundraising activities versus the revenue generated from them.
Tracking attendance numbers or ticket sales can also provide insight into which types of events draw people in. Finally, surveys or feedback forms are useful tools for getting an understanding of attendees’ experiences and opinions of the event.
You now know the best ways to advise the young organizers in your life. With your help and their enthusiasm, the event is sure to be a success. It’ll achieve its goals and raise money for a good cause, and inspire a repeat event sometime soon.
