How to Throw a Benefit to Help a Good Cause
Throwing a benefit for a good cause is a way to bring a community closer together while raising money for those in need. Organizing a successful benefit takes careful planning and time. However, with creativity and persistence, the event will be a hit. While the task of organizing a benefit may seem overwhelming, following a few steps will help the organizers feel more confident in their ability to succeed.
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Instructions
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Learn all you can about the person or organization you want to benefit. Ask questions about the organization or the individual situation. Verify the information before you commit to throwing a benefit.
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Choose a date. Consider having the event on a weekend since more people are available to attend. Avoid scheduling the event on a holiday or on the same day as a big sports event, such as the Super Bowl.
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Decide what type of benefit you want to hold. It could be anything from a car wash or walk-a-thon to a formal dinner. Think about the organization being benefited, and design an event that reflects what the group represents.
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Pick a time for the event. Remember that people have other obligations, so the benefit should not be overly long. Aim for an event that lasts between two and five hours. Make sure that the benefit does not start too early in the morning or run too late into the evening.
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Create a budget. List the estimated costs for all aspects of the event. Estimate costs a little higher than expected so you have leeway if there is an unexpected expense.
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Select a location for the benefit. Remember that the best location is one that is easily accessible. Start by calling and emailing possible benefit sites. Ask how many people the venue will accommodate and what rules need to be followed. Find out if you can receive a discount for a benefit event.
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Invite people to the benefit. Send out invitations, put up fliers and place advertisements in local newspapers and on local news and entertainment websites. Set up a website that has the details of the benefit, making sure to include the time, cost and address of the event, along with an email address and a phone number for RSVPs.
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Enlist the help of volunteers. Ask people to help with parking, security, set-up and clean-up. Have a volunteers who are in charge of RSVPs, catering, publicity and decorating.
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Solicit the help of local musicians, actors and comedians for entertainment. Ask if they would be willing to perform for free or at a discount for the benefit.
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Arrive a few hours early to the venue on the day of the benefit. Oversee set-up and be prepared to work through any last-minute glitches. Be alert throughout the benefit, and make sure that all runs smoothly.
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