Special Events Can Raise Funds for your NGO

By Gabriela Lemus
M.A. Candidate 2018

Monday, 11 December 2017

NGOs today cannot use the same fundraising methods used decades ago. Although NGO staff continue to raise funds through customary methods such as grant writing and calls to potential funders for donations, NGOs are also focusing their attention on organizing special events that involve community members and potential funders.

Special events, according to this article, can include events that raise awareness on a specific issue while, at the same time, acting as a fundraising event where donors can engage with grantees. Special events can take the form of art exhibits, marathons and movie premiers to name a few. The purpose of the event is to find creative ways to attract an audience and achieve financial support from the participants.

The article, from the organization fundsforNGOs, gives the following suggestions that can help organize a successful event:

1. Planning the event entails planning for everything you think will be required: the what, why, how, for whom and when of the event. Planning should include setting a goal, defining the type of event, the date and venue, and allocating the needed budget.

2. Preparing for the event involves forming teams that will be in charge of carrying out necessary tasks to ensure proper organization of the event. A checklist

• Organizing teams such as a core management team, event planning team, invitation team and a marketing team;

• Choosing an audience that can relate to the cause and can contribute to the goal;

• Marketing and branding of the event and developing a marketing communication strategy to promote it;

• Getting the necessary permissions or approvals from authorities, such as obtaining approvals from the transportation department when organizing a marathon;

• Logistics arrangements to ensure all bookings and accommodations are completed;

• Printing and sharing promotional material with the participants;

• Obtaining sponsorship to help cover costs of the event;

• Developing a standard pitch detailing the purpose of the event.

3. Organizing the event requires the following few steps to ensure its success:

• Being energetic and enthusiastic;

• Greeting and welcoming the participants;

• Identifying a master of ceremonies/spokesperson;

• Ensuring that your promotional material is accessible during the event;

• Networking with people;

• Keeping an open line of communication with the audience upon completion of the event.

Organizing your event can require modifying some of these steps, but following the broad detailed outline can help you ensure that you plan a successful fundraising event.

To read the full article go to the link below:

https://www2.fundsforngos.org/featured/organize-special-events-raise-funds-ngo/

Photo of fundraising books courtesy of Howard Lake via Flickr