How to Organize a Fundraiser for Cancer Patients

Cancer touches the lives of many, and you would like to organize a fundraising event for a person or a group of people battling the disease. With hard work, a committed group of people and a few creative marketing techniques, you can organize a successful and meaningful event.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small committee
• Event budget
• Brochures, flyers and posters

Plan your event well in advance and market effectively for the best results.

1. Put together a committee of hardworking, dedicated individuals who want to help and know of others who may want to attend. Start with family, friends and acquaintances you know who may have a personal interest in helping to organize a fundraiser to support cancer patients. Involve people who know others willing to support the event by helping, attending or making a donation. Manage your committee effectively; meet regularly and make sure committee members are completing necessary tasks they agreed to.

2. Decide on an event that has been successful for others. Avoid "reinventing the wheel." Organize an event that has been successful for nonprofits and other groups that plan fundraisers. Dinner dances, wine tastings, bike rides, walks, motorcycle rides and murder mystery events are very popular fundraising events with proven success. If you are unsure where to begin, seek advice from a familiar nonprofit and ask questions about organizing a fundraiser it has had success with in the past.

3. Begin planning as far in advance as possible, preferably months before the event. Set a budget for expenses, such as a deposit for a venue, supplies and marketing costs. Have a realistic goal in mind for possible revenue. Determine in advance if you will donate the money to a cancer organization, a hospital or to an individual or family affected by the disease.

4. Seek out sponsorships, raffle prizes and/or auction items. Business and individual sponsors will contribute toward expenses and help increase revenue. Raffle prizes and auction items will encourage attendees to spend more money at the event. Promote your sponsors to increase their exposure, which is one of the reasons they have agreed to sponsor your event in the first place. Seek support from local restaurants, retail shops, manufacturing companies, hair salons, grocery stores and other businesses.

5. Market the event creatively four to six weeks in advance. Utilize flyers, brochures and posters to advertise your fundraiser. Other cost-effective marketing techniques include email blasts (ask people to forward to others who may be interested in attending or sponsoring) and press releases. Ask your local daily newspaper or weekly publication to consider writing a story on your event.

Tips & Warnings

• Be gracious and appreciative to your committee members, sponsors and raffle prize contributors. Send thank you letters when the event is complete. Obtain necessary licenses with your town or city to host a fundraiser, including a temporary liquor license if needed.
• If you never organized a fundraiser before, keep it simple the first time around. Avoid an event such a golf tournament, which involves more overhead costs and can be more difficult to plan. Don't create a lot of work for the organization or person you are donating the money to; if you agree to plan the event, then you are responsible for the execution and the outcome. Don't underestimate expenses. Don't promise more than you can realistically deliver.

References

• http://www.fundraising.com/charity-fundraising.aspx