The Grable Group

7 Steps to aSuccessfulFundraising EventThere is no universal recipe for success but thereare definitely some key “ingredients" you canrely on.

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How to Organize the Perfect Fundraising Gala

3 Fundraising Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

6 Golden Rules for a Successful Fundraising Event

3 Annoying Fundraising Tactics You Shouldn't Use

What's the Secret to Effectively AttractingDonors?

3 Ideas for Your Charity Event Entertainment

4 Ways to Market Your Charity Events

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Table of Contents

Hosting a fundraising gala gives you the perfect opportunity to spread theword about your organization's goals and mission in a more formal setting.It goes without saying that planning this type of a charity event is differentfrom putting together a casual small group event for your donors.

The level of elegance and sophistication that comes with hosting a galaoften makes it more of a challenge for those in charge of the planning. Eventhough a large guest list might look intimidating at first, keep in mind thatorganizing more elaborate events can help you raise substantially moremoney for your chosen cause.

Photo Credit: Lowertown Event CenterPlanning a successful gala is not easy, so we decided to share a few pointersfor you that will help you organize a memorable event. All you need to do iskeep on reading.

Costs should not exceed potential earnings

How to Organize thePerfect Fundraising Gala

Establishing a clear budget for the night of the event is the first thing youshould do. Before you start thinking about anything else, you need to knowhow much money you can invest to help your charity meet its goals.

Begin with the biggest expenses, like location, food and beverages, services,but also, keep an eye out for hidden costs. You might not look at time as anexpense, but all the time you and your organization put into organizing theevent is the time you could have spent doing something else.

Remember that hosting a fundraising gala is more expensive, so it is best todetermine if the event is likely to be successful before you start scouting forlocations.

Sure, there's no way of knowing exactly how much money you'll raise onthe night of the big event, especially if you are new to planning charitygalas. In this case, it is a good idea to turn to someone more experiencedwith running more elaborate charity events for advice.

Asking the right people to do the right jobsWhen it comes to planning a successful fundraising gala, you need allhands on deck. That might include volunteers, consultants, staff members,and anybody else who is willing to pitch in. For things to go as smoothly aspossible, everyone needs to do their part well.

It is up to you to delegate tasks so that things do not get mixed up. The lastthing you want is somebody doing a job he or she are not prepared to do.Volunteers usually do an excellent job selling raffle tickets, handing giftbags or helping guests check in while staff members are best suited fortasks that require more involvement and responsibility.

A fundraising gala needs qualityentertainment to be successful

Let's put it this way: A fundraising event without entertainment is like a

charity without donors: Slowly dying.

All guests who have purchased a ticket to be at your gala want more thanjust learning new things about your fundraiser and your mission. Theywish to have fun, interact with like-minded people and be entertained.Moreover, for that, you need the best performers working for you.

We think somebody like Ross Bennett would be a great addition to any

fundraising gala. His 100% clean, professional humor will be a hit withyour guests, and you will not have to worry about anybody in the roomgetting offended. All laughs, no drama.

He is just one of the many great artists and performers we represent whocan help you create an enjoyable experience for your guests.

If you are interested in other options or have any questions you want to

ask, you should get in touch with us right away.

Fundraisers are a great opportunity for nonprofit organizations to raiseawareness and get resources for their cause. That being said, it is not aneasy thing to pull off, as there are many fundraising pitfalls organizers arenot aware of. We are going to tackle three of those and see how they can beavoided.

1. Doing illegal or dangerous activitiesSome of the best ways to raise a large sum of money are to organize a raffleor set up casino games. They are in good fun and encourage people to

donate. However, the problem is that they are also similar to gambling, so

make sure that you know the state laws before organizing something

like this.

If you do not avoid this pitfall, you can expect heavy fines and penalties.There are also certain activities that may result in a tax liability. That is whyit is vital to know what you can and cannot do. Otherwise, you might end upon the wrong side of the law.

Another possible problem is the chance of injury. Sporting events have thehighest chances of participants getting injured, but, in the end, it can

happen in any situation. It is in your best interest to make sure that the

whole event is covered by insurance.

The best way to avoid these fundraising pitfalls is to be informed, to get aspecial event policy, and to register with a state agency to solicit donations.

2. Going over budgetGenerating excitement for your cause is always great, but remember thatyour fundraiser has to generate money as well.

3 Fundraising Pitfalls andHow to Avoid Them

Think about your expenses and how much revenue you expect to get. Youhave to ask then yourself if the costs are justifiable. Remember that a largeamount of time goes into planning the fundraisers and executing thestrategies as well.

If the net proceeds are small, you might have to change something.

Remember that you do not have to get the fanciest venue or the bestcatering you can. You are organizing a fundraiser for a noble cause, andpeople are coming to donate to that cause. Attendee satisfaction isimportant, but not as important as raising funds.

Create a realistic budget and make sure that you stick to it. If money istight, you should ask local businesses for donations or discounts on cateringor event spaces. There's an excellent chance that they'll be interested asyou'll be doing publicity services for them this way.

3. Having unorganized or untrainedvolunteersDepending on the size of the event and the activities that will take place,you might need a large number of volunteers. The hard part is not usuallygetting enough people willing to help, but rather making sure they can

help.

In our opinion, this is the most insidious of the three fundraising

pitfalls because you might not even realize how much you are losing

since the volunteers are not doing what they are supposed to.

It is crucial to have some training program set in place for the volunteersbefore the fundraiser. Even if they have experience in the field, going overtheir responsibilities and roles will make the whole event go muchsmoother. Keep a clear log of the money you get and help the volunteers dotheir best during the fundraiser itself.

Are there any ways of making sure you avoidall fundraising pitfalls?It is not an easy question to answer. The thing that matters the most inthese cases is an experience. As you organize more and more events, youwill instinctively avoid any possible problems. Just make sure you learn alesson from every mistake you make.

There is also another option is you want to make sure you avoid anyproblems: Get help from people who already have the experience needed toplan and manage a successful event. Get in touch with us and together we'llcreate an excellent fundraiser with awesome entertainment and activities.

Be sure to read our other articles as well for more insightful tips.

If you are about to organize a fundraising event, you already know thatthere are plenty of things to consider and be aware of. The key to a

successful event relies on accurate planning. Here are 6 essential rules

that will help you organize a great non profit fundraising event.

1. Set your goals carefully

Every practical project starts with a written plan, and every program

begins by setting the right objectives. Make sure you know where you areheaded before actually embarking on this trip. Here are two questions thatwill help you define the goals of your fundraising event:

a. What is the purpose of your event?Figure out which is the expected outcome of your efforts and the causesyou are raising money for.

b. How much money does your nonprofit plan on raising?Every charity event aims to gather funds for a particular purpose. You needto have a clear idea when it comes to the exact amount of money you wantto collect from your donors.

2. Make sure the chairperson has all the skillsneededIf you wish to organize a memorable fundraising event, you should considerhaving a responsible management committee. Most event planners aredrawn to familiar figures, big business owners, or prominent donors whohave made significant donations in the past.

6 Golden Rules for aSuccessful FundraisingEvent

Before you make that choice, keep in mind that this person will play a

key role throughout your fundraising event.

This individual's primary purpose will be to convince the audience todonate money. They are more likely to be successful in accomplishing thistask if they have donated themselves, and can offer a personal example. Itis important you make sure the person representing your nonprofit is aspassionate and involved in your cause as you are.

3. Allocate the right budget

If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises while organizing a fundraising

event, calculate your budget as accurately as possible. Take into accountall necessary expenses your event requires, such as room rental, staff,transportation, and so on. Then make sure also to put something aside forvariable costs.

4. Promote your fundraising event

Every project requires marketing, and the best fundraising events are

mainly influenced by the marketing strategy you choose to implement.If your endeavor fails, you risk hosting an event that won't gather enoughdonors and funds.

Use whatever means seem suitable for your target audience: call them,email them, use social media, or send out written invitations, just makesure you spread the word, and that people will be willing to spend their timeand money attending your event.

5. Get to know your audienceBased on your previous experience or predictions, try to distinguish whoyour target audience is. Most fundraising events are aimed at almostanyone who is willing to donate, but according to your cause, you mightneed to target a very specific audience, such as business people andprofessionals who have a high income.

Define your target audience before sending out your invitations,

because they also need to be crafted accordingly.

6. Entertain your audienceExtreme seriousness is no longer a must for this kind of events. Peopleexpect to be entertained at a fundraising event since it makes them feel lessformal. Also, donating becomes more pleasant.

If you want to make sure your donors will remember your event, hireprofessional entertainers. If you need some suggestions, I would personallyrecommend Bob Nelson for his unique and ingenious ways to keep theaudience engaged throughout an entire evening.

The essence of any fundraising event is people's desire to give. No matterhow much or often they donate, every effort counts, so don't forget to makethem feel that they've made a difference, and thank them.

I would be more than glad to find out if these 6 golden rules have helped

you so far. Remember that we can also help you book high-quality

entertainment, so don't hesitate to call us as soon as you can.

There are many causes worth donating to. It is completely understandablefor non-profit organizations to be invested and try anything to raise moneyfor something they believe in. The problems are the annoying fundraising

tactics that end up driving donors away. It is detrimental to everybody

because the donors get angry, and the organization loses donations.Here are three tactics you have to stay away from:

1. Endlessly pestering donorsA very common tactic that charities use is to send constantly their donorsemails, letters, and phone calls. The idea itself sounds good: You do not letthe donor forget about the cause so they'll donate in the future. Theproblem is that, more often than not, donors get so annoyed that theydecide to stop donating just to get away.

3 Annoying FundraisingTactics You Shouldn't Use

Since it is also one of the most common fundraising tactics, many peopleknow about it before donating, and the moment they are asked to give theiremail or phone number, they start having second thoughts.

It is completely normal to want to keep in touch with your donors, butremember that they are busy, too, so don't go overboard when reaching outto them. Be upfront about how often you'll call and send emails, and don't

force them to give out personal information. It is better to get a donation

with no way of contacting the donor than not to get anything at all.

2. Showering donors with giftsAgain, it is understandable to want to keep donors invested, but you have tobe careful not to go overboard when offering them gifts.

Sending a small present like a sticker or a calendar may be a simple way toof reminding donors about the organization and it does not cost much, butyou should not go further than that. You do not want to give donors theimpression that their donation goes into the gifts you later send them. Keepthe presents straightforward and inexpensive and don't send out too many.

These gifts are not very useful for donors either. If they need something,they get it themselves. A better alternative to generic gifts with the charity

logo are personal things. Write a letter thanking the donor and telling

them how much they have helped, and they will be more likely to donate

again.

There's nothing wrong with sending one small gift to a donor, but don'texpect them to donate more just because you send more presents.

3. Using emotional blackmail

Out of the three fundraising tactics, this one is the most unpleasant.There aren't worse ways of thanking donors for their help than guilttripping them into contributing more.

It is not uncommon for non-profit organizations to use shocking imagery topressure people into donating more, but this way of thinking is completelybackward. Put yourself in their shoes; they wanted to help, so they donated,and your response was to try and manipulate them into giving moremoney.

The result is that they'll just feel worse, and you'll most likely never see adonation from them again. Adopting a "the end justifies the means"mentality will only alienate donors and make them regret helping in thefirst place.

What to do instead of using thesefundraising tacticsThe basic idea you have to start with is that donors are people who want tohelp. They do not like being treated like piggy banks or children. Actualhuman interaction is the key to actually attracting donors, not constantreminders, gifts, and shock tactics.

Here's another great idea: Offer your donors an excellent experience by

holding a fundraising event. Get in touch with us to get the best

entertainment possible and make a long-lasting impression on your

donors.

When it comes to effectively attracting donors, many nonprofits usuallymake the mistake of relying on marketing alone. While that is important,the basics should never be overlooked. An ad will never have the sameimpact as a firm handshake and an honest smile.

That is what we'll be talking about today. Let's go through the process ofgetting a donation, step-by-step.

Step 1: Identify possible donorsThere are three important traits that donors usually have:

You know them personally - In this case, they are more likely actually tolisten to an acquaintance than a stranger.They care about your cause - If they do not, don't force them. You'll onlyfurther drive them away.They have money to donate - Sometimes people would like to donate, butthey just can't.

A surprisingly large number of nonprofit organizations look for donors in

the wrong places. You will not be effectively attracting donors just by

getting in touch with some rich strangers. In the US, the middle andlower classes are the one that gives the most to charity, not the wealthy.

The lesson here is to reach out to those close to you: Your friends, yourneighbors, and co-workers.

Step 2: Inform them about your causeYou are probably familiar with the classic "cultivation visit". It is a good way

What's the Secret toEffectively AttractingDonors?

to attract donors effectively, but it is by no means the only one.

We encourage you to get creative. The one defining feature of your efforts

should be to familiarize the possible donor with your work and cause.

Maybe invite them to meet some of the people you are helping or personallyshow up to help the cause. It mostly depends on what you do. After theyhave firsthand experience, they will truly understand the importance oftheir donation.

Step 3: Ask for supportThis is the point where you ask for a donation. If you are effectivelyattracting donors, they'll most likely accept at this point.

The best way to ask is face-to-face. It is personal; it shows that you careabout them, and it also conveys the message that their help is needed themost. We know this is not always possible, so do as you see fit.

An important aspect is not to talk their ears off because it will startsounding like a sales pitch. Instead, ask them questions and let them do thespeaking. This way, they will feel more involved and that they are reallymaking a difference.

Step 4: Show gratitudeThe obvious "Thank you" that you'll give them when they tell you they'lldonate isn't enough. If you never talk to them again or just ask for a

donation again later, they'll think that you only see them as a piggy bank.

Think about how you'd show gratitude to a friend after they do you a favor.That is how you should treat your donors as well.

You could send them a gift or a personal letter done by you or one of thepeople whom you are helping. Maybe invite them out to show them howthankful you are. These are some personal, one-on-one examples, but youcan dream bigger too. You could organize an event to celebrate and thankall your donors.

Step 5: Ask them to become a bigger part ofthe organizationYou are looking for anything helpful to the cause, and they've alreadyproven that they want to help. The next logical step is to get them moreinvolved in your work.

Invite them to do some volunteer work with you or tell their friends aboutthe cause and how they can help too. There's obviously the chance that

they'll refuse, but if they do not, they will become more and more

invested.

The conclusion about effectively attractingdonorsAs you can see, asking for donations is only a small part of the process. The

secret is to build a strong relationship with your donors, to get them tobecome emotionally invested in the cause, and to encourage them tobecome a part of the organization.

You'll get many more donations by following these steps, but here's anotherpiece of advice for you: A great way to wow your possible donors and getthem onboard is to hold compelling events with the right entertainers.

We happen to be experts in planning events and providing entertainment,so contact us right now and let's start wowing your donors.

Make sure to also check out the rest of our articles and learn more about

how to attract people in awesome ways.

Fundraising events are one of the best ways charities get donations. Thetwo things a nonprofit organization must think about the most are how toraise more funds and how to create a pleasant experience for the attendees.

We will be talking about the latter today, specifically about three greatcharity event entertainment ideas.

The goal of charity event entertainmentIt is important that the attendees have fun at your fundraiser, but tomaximize the efficiency of your event, you have to take more aspects into

consideration. The entertainment you provide should represent your

organization and the cause you are raising funds for.

Choose the entertainment in a way that complements the goal of thefundraiser itself. This will ensure the clarity of the message you are tryingto convey.

1. Unique rafflesMany charity events hold raffles because they are both fun and profitable.Because of how common this practice has become, people are no longer soattracted to the notion.

The solution is to come up with new and unique raffle ideas. Outdoorsfundraisers have the most potential for such activities because of the extraspace they have.

An example of a unique raffle is a rubber duck race. If the event is heldsomewhere close to a river, get a large number of rubber ducks, write anumber on each one, and sell tickets for each number.

3 Ideas for Your CharityEvent Entertainment

You will then release the ducks at the same time into the river, and the firstduck to reach the finish line wins. The person who got the winning numbergets the prize.

If you are raising money for the environment, a rubber duck race will alsoshow people how the river looked like before releasing the duck race andafter.

By cleaning up after the event, you convey the importance of keeping

the environment clean.

2. A theatrical productionBecause of TV and the Internet, people do not go to the theater as much asthey used to. However, that does not mean people do not like seeing liveplays.

The fact that theater is not such a big thing anymore is beneficial for

you, since it will make your charity event entertainment more unique

and interesting.

The downside of organizing a play is that you will have to invest aconsiderable amount of time into it. You will need to plan many details, getthe necessary props, and the actors need to rehearse. Despite all this, a wellput together play could turn a fundraiser into a resounding success.

Besides being a great selling point, a theatrical production is a great

way of raising awareness about education and its importance. It showspeople how beautiful literature is, and you can focus on the fact that manychildren do not get the chance to experience it.

3. Book a speakerA great way of providing quality entertainment and raising awarenessabout your cause is to get a speaker. Whether it is through comedy ormotivational speeches, a great entertainer can show the people why it isimportant to donate while still being entertaining.

A speaker is not necessarily just a person who speaks into a microphoneeither. Many entertainers incorporate live music, painting, and otherstorytelling methods into their act, thus creating an unforgettableexperience for the people attending.

The charity event entertainment will wildly differ depending on whom youget. Each speaker has their style and way of engaging with the audience.You can surely find an entertainer whose style complements the goals andculture of your organization.

Discuss your goal with the speaker you are booking and together you candecide the topics they will approach. This way, the people attending will notonly have fun but also get more invested in helping your cause.

You might think that finding the right speaker would take too much, but

that is completely untrue. Get in touch with us and we will help you find

the right entertainer to help you make a difference.

When it comes to charity events, many event planners encountersignificant challenges when dealing with the marketing process. After all,you have to market your event if you want to raise as many funds aspossible and attract a large audience of donors.

However, it is easier said than done. While you could rely on marketingservices, they would typically cost you a lot. Fortunately, you can alwayssave money by handling the process yourself. Still, it might seem like animpossible task if you have not really done this until now.

There's no need to worry, though since we are here to help you out. Check

out these 4 methods you can use to market your charity events to

ensure that a high number of donors will attend:

1. Make sure you target the right people firstContrary to popular belief, you cannot just market your fundraising eventsto everybody and expect people to show up. There's a golden rule inmarketing that states that if you try to please everybody, you'll pleasenobody.

So, if you want to market your charity events the right way, be sure first totarget the right donors. This means taking people who would be specificallyinterested in your cause into account and building up various personasassociated with them to pinpoint some details about their age, preferences,budgets and daily habits.

They'll mostly be speculations, but they'll be speculations you can build yourmarketing messages on.

2. Use the power of your website or social

4 Ways to Market YourCharity Events

media pageYou most likely already know how important social media and the Internetare when it comes to getting the attention of donors. This is why it isimportant you do everything you can to leverage the power these platformsoffer.

So, the first thing you need to do is clear, catchy announcements on bothyour website and social media page about the charity events you plan toorganize. Use a friendly tone, eye-catching photographs and welcomingslogans.

Just remember to make it clear that the primary purpose of the event is toraise funds for your cause. Describe it in detail, and make that the core ofyour message.

3. You can always rely on more traditionalmethodsThis would normally work better if the event you want to organize is in asmall town, but it can work equally well in larger cities as well. It will just

take longer. What are we talking about? Mainly posters and flyers. You canprint them out and place them around town.

Make sure to post said flyers and posters in areas where you know yourtarget audience that is the perfect donors whom you want to attract, areknown to spend their time.

4. Associate your charity events with asuitable name in the entertainment industrywhen marketing themSince you'll end up saving some money by not having to choose costlymarketing services, you can instead invest all those financial resources intohiring a quality speaker or entertainer for your event. Don't forget that it isvital to keep your donors entertained and show them that they stand to gainsomething by contributing with funds to your campaign.

Just remember to mention the entertainer in all your marketing messages.This way said messages will have a higher chance of getting people'sattention since they'll stand out from the crowd.

We would recommend choosing somebody like Bob Nelson or John Heffronsince their comedic geniuses do a great job sparking interest for charityevents. Plus, they also deliver on their promises and keep the audienceentertained for the duration of the event.

If you would like other recommendations, or would just like to ask us

some questions, you can reach out to us today, and we will get back to

you in no time.

Next StepWith over 25 years experience inhelping nonprofit organizationraise money, we can help you

make your event a success.

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