How to Host a Charitable Dinner Party

Bling is out, philanthropy is in. The evidence is traced back to social capitalists Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. Both have donated billions to charitable causes around the world. The desire to help is not exclusive to the uber-wealthy; we can all do something to combat what ails this world. Start small and local, like a silent auction dinner party at your place.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Donated items to auction
• Table to display auction items
• Live entertainment and/or DVDs and CDs
• Food and beverages
• A planning committee
• Guests who are motivated to help
• Bid sheets

1. Start with the basics. What are your fundraising goals? What resources can you tap into? How much time do you have to plan? Who do you want the funds to benefit?

2. Once you've decided on a date, rally a group of volunteers to help with the planning.

3. The basic premise of a silent auction is to solicit donations of goods and services to be auctioned over a set period of time via bids written on slips of paper placed next to each item.

4. Brainstorm with your committee to compose a list of donated items you'd be comfortable approaching local businesses, family and friends for. In addition to certificates for spa services, dinners at restaurants and movie ticket books, include experiential items like a day spent with the mayor, feeding the animals at the zoo, or flying lessons. Ask one of your volunteers to be in charge of overseeing the goods being donated.

5. Each item will need a lined piece of paper on it where guests can write their name and bid. Make sure to have the item number and description, along with the opening bid amount on the paper.

6. Print simple bid sheets from your home computer. Include an item number, description of the product, and the opening bid amount with lines underneath for guests to write their name and bid.

7. Underwriting the actual event with food, beverage, tables, chairs, linens, and so on can be tackled by group effort. Serve a potluck buffet and assign specific dishes to anyone who would like to participate. Or ask a local caterer if they will discount or donate menu items for the event.

8. If possible feature some sort of entertainment:
   • Hire a local band to play for a few hours.
   • Find a magician or fortune teller.
   • Follow the Dancing With Stars craze and hire a dance instructor to show a few moves.
   

9. If live entertainment is just not in the budget, break out the CD and DVD player for assistance:
   • Play DVDs of your favorite artists in concert as background on TV screens.
   • Load music onto your iPod or MP3 player to have playing throughout the night. Gather some of your favorite CDs and hit shuffle.
   

Tips & Warnings

• Set a goal amount you would like to raise, because this helps motivate guests to participate in the donations.
• Keep the night interesting by including a few live auction items (like a date with the handsome single guy in the group). Enlist the help of a charismatic friend to be the auctioneer or keep the action alive and raffle prizes off throughout the night.
• Let guests know what forms of payment you'll be accepting. Contact the charity you'll be collecting donations for and ask about getting receipts for the guests who are donating. Cash and checks (made out to the benefiting charity) are the easiest for first-time hosts.
• Remember that every bit helps, even a buck or two, so pass that vibe along to guests.