How to Start a Benefit Fundraiser

benefits are a great way to raise money

Starting a fundraising benefit is a great way to raise a large amount of money for a charity in one day. A fundraising benefit takes weeks, sometimes months, of planning and preparation, but the result can be breathtaking. With a benefit, there are multiple aspects of the event that need to be planned simultaneously, which is why having a strong group of volunteers is essential. In addition to the rewards of giving and donating the money going to charity, a benefit fundraiser can be a great deal of fun.

Things You'll Need

• volunteers

Instructions

1. Choose the type of event you want to host. A benefit fund-raiser can be a dinner, dance, a walk or race, golf tournament or an auction. It could also be a combination of these events and others. In choosing the type of event you want, look at the resources you have available to you.

2. Choose a date. You want to choose a date that will hopefully provide good weather and lots of help. If you are using a hall space or other area for free, you want to check with the owners of the space to see what date is best for them.

3. Solicit donations. Anything you'll need for your event, you want to first try to get it donated; this may include a hall, food, decorations, prizes, auction items, services or music. When soliciting donations, you'll want to meet with the people you are going to meet with in person. Typically, solicitation letters in the mail do not work well. Go to the person you need to talk to with a letter or other document explaining the event and where the money will be going. Have copies of this available to leave with them if they ask. Also have receipts with you. When you are given a donation, offer the donor a receipt for the monetary value of their donation to use as a tax write-off.

4. Advertise the event. The advertising should happen simultaneously with the soliciting of donations and other event planning. First see if you can get free advertising or get a local business to sponsor the advertising. Utilize community bulletin boards, church bulletins, community calendars and anything else in your area that is already free. Send an event announcement to your local newspaper and write a letter to the editor talking about the upcoming event. Call into your local radio station and see if they will let you make an announcement on air.

5. Purchase anything you'll need that you were not able to get donated. Organize volunteers for the day of the event. Delegate responsibilities for the day of the event so you don't have to oversee everything.

6. Be sure to thank everyone at the event, and send out thank-you letters following the event. You should also write a second letter to the editor thanking any and all local businesses that donated or helped out. It provides them with free advertising, and they are more likely to help in the future.

Tips & Warnings

• Delegate responsibilities early in the planning process, and then have regular meetings to check on people's progress and make sure the work is getting accomplished.

• The more you spend the less will go to your charity. Keeping the cost of the benefit to a minimum is essential to the success of the event.

Resources

• Benefit Ideas