How to Do a Press Write-Up for a Fundraising Dinner

Get information about your fundraising dinner in the local paper.

Your fundraising dinner relies on strong attendance and generous donations. Therefore, it is essential that you get the word out about the big event. Get the local media involved in publicizing your fundraising dinner by distributing a press write-up for the event. You can generate newspaper articles, television coverage and interviews with a well-written press release.

Instructions

1. Write a captivating lead paragraph that draws the reader into the press write-up. Provide the essential information about the event, such as its name, and give it an interesting twist. For example, your lead can read: "Dozens of abandoned dogs will find new love and new homes thanks to the generous donations collected at the upcoming Dining for the Dogs event sponsored by ABC Animal Shelter."

2. Provide the details for the fundraising dinner. List the date and time of the event. Provide the street address, city and state. Give the time for the event. If you are welcoming the media to the event early, specify what time reporters and photographers can arrive for photos, video or interviews.

3. Explain the purpose of the fundraising dinner. In order to garner media coverage, you need to pitch a story in your press write-up. Talk about who or what your fundraiser will help. Identify the need. Specify how much money you hope to raise, and how donors can benefit from attending and contributing.

4. Discuss the event itself. Briefly run through the itinerary for the fundraising dinner. This will give the news media a sense of what will take place. If you have any featured speakers, name them and their affiliation or background. Discuss any entertainment at the dinner. Talk about how you will collect donations -- whether it's through ticket purchases or a silent auction, for example. Help the media with other facts, such as how many people you expect to attend the dinner and whether it will be a black tie event.

5. Provide contact information. Your press write-up should end with a call to action. List your name, phone number and email address so that members of the media can readily contact you about the event. They might want to interview you over the phone, secure a ticket for the event or take photos or video of the fundraising dinner.

References

• Eastern University; How to Write a News Release; January 2009
• UMass Dartmouth; Press Release: UMass Dartmouth Students Organize Dodgeball Fundraiser for Children's Museum of Greater Fall River; Kathleen Beals; April 2011