How to Fund Pageants

Participating in pageants can be expensive, but you can use a variety of methods to raise the necessary cash.

Participating in a pageant can help teach young women how to speak in public, carry themselves with poise and maintain grace under pressure. However, taking part in pageants, especially if the competitions involve extensive travel, can become expensive. From the formal-wear gowns and entry fees to money for gas, you can fund the expenses that you will accrue in pursuit of a pageant crown using a little ingenuity and a lot of patience.

Instructions

Using Your Networking Skills

1. Complete a one-page "resume" or pageant letter that describes what skills or talents you offer, such as dancing, entertaining, speaking, writing or acting, and how you can use those skills to market a specific business. Include reasons as to why participation in pageants is important to you, and what you and the community can gain from that kind of competition.

2. Write down all of the businesses that you frequent. List businesses such as beauty and nail salons, grocery stores, department stores and other retail and service businesses. Develop a relationship with these businesses and establish a regular contact, letting them know you are willing to market their business in exchange for their sponsorship.

3. List the service organizations in your community, such as churches, charities or non-profit organizations. Develop a relationship with these groups and explain briefly how their backing your participation in a pageant would help them gain publicity for their societal concern or issue. Approach each business or community organization in a friendly and professional manner.

4. Don't be discouraged if businesses don't donate money right away; continue to keep in contact with these organizations, even as you pursue other venues for raising funds.

5. Look for events in your community or in nearby towns. Publicize and market yourself by offering your services and skills as an entertainer and public speaker at festivals, business grand openings, sporting events and any other event that's highly attended and highly publicized. Research and schedule events well in advance of the pageant so that you have time to strengthen contacts and networks.

Community and Online Fundraisers

1. Hold a community fundraiser in which friends, family and strangers can contribute to your pageant fund. Host a restaurant fundraiser; patrons can buy meals, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward your pageant fund. Add a silent auction to this event, or hold a raffle to add a different fundraising component.

2. Post an online fundraiser to last two to three days, on a website or blog you have created, in which interested individuals can pledge a specific amount of money to donate through an online payment processing service. On the website or blog, also describe your skills, why you want donations, and what you hope to achieve for the community by involving yourself in a pageant competition.

3. Market yourself and promote your online or community fundraiser through social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter. Contact your local newspaper and other media outlets and send press releases to be published, including your biography and pertinent contact and donation information.

Other Fundraising Methods

1. Find a part-time job to raise money for pageants. Acquire a position that is flexible enough that you can leave to perform or participate in fundraisers if necessary.

2. Join a direct sales company as an employee. Selling goods such as beauty products and home decor are good ways to earn money while using very little of your own. Host parties at which friends and family can peruse your merchandise and ask you how to use the product you're selling.

3. Host your own local, low-key pageant. Offer a small cash prize and an inexpensive trophy. Publicize your event for community participation to help build up your contacts.

Tips & Warnings

• Before entering a pageant, determine the base line price -- from the entry fee to swimwear attire -- before committing to the competition. It's easier to raise money if you know exactly what kinds of beauty products, clothes, accommodations and food budget you'll need to participate.

References

• All Things Diva: How to Pay for Your Pageant
• The Pageant Expert: Pageant Sponsorship: How to Raise Money to Do a Pageant
• The Pageant Planet: Get the Money Honey

Resources

• The Pageant Expert: The Key to Raising Money for a Pageant
• Fundraiser Help.com: Ideas for Fundraisers and Events
• Sponsor Goal.com: Raising Pageant Tuition with Crowd Funding