Here’s our step-by-step guide to making your fundraising event great. Don’t forget to tell us what you’re planning so we can offer more tips!
1. Start with why
Do you have a personal connection to hearing loss, deafness or tinnitus? Every pound you raise will help fund our vital support services, campaigns for equality and research to find cures for hearing loss and tinnitus. You’ll need to tell people why this matters to you, so you can inspire them to come to your event and donate.
2. Set your fundraising goal
How much money are you planning to raise? Think about ticket sales, donations and on-the-day money-makers like a raffle or silent auction. Make sure your fundraising target is higher than what you spend.
3. Set your budget
A budget will help you keep your costs under control so you can smash your fundraising target. Make sure it includes every single detail – from the venue hire to the decorations. Always leave a little room in your budget to cover any unexpected expenses.
4. Choose a theme
People will come to your event to support a great cause, but they’ll also want to have a great time. Make sure your event sells out by coming up with a fun theme that’ll keep everyone entertained.
5. Find a venue
Think about the type and size of space you need to best match your theme. Choose a venue that’s accessible and close to transport links. Shop around. Some venues might be willing to discount or even donate the space for a charity fundraiser.
6. Set the date
Which day of the week would work best for the people you’re inviting? Whatever you decide, check other local events aren’t happening at the same time. And make sure you give yourself enough time to plan your event properly and spread the word.
7. Get others involved
Your friends, family or work mates would love to help you raise money for a great cause, right? Make a list of the things they could join in with, like promoting the event, selling tickets or helping out on the day. Make sure everyone knows their responsibilities.
Get in touch with local businesses to see if they can sponsor your event or donate some raffle or auction prizes.
8. Make sure it’s safe and legal
Do you need any kind of licence or insurance for your event? Are there any health and safety requirements? Ask the venue manager for advice as soon as possible if you’re unsure – or the local council if you’re planning an event in a public space.
Planning a raffle?
For small raffles that are part of a bigger event, you don’t need a licence as long as you sell tickets and have prizes drawn at the event (no cash prizes). It’s the same for private raffles where you’re only selling tickets to members of a club. Tickets mustn’t be sold by anyone under the age of 16. For more detail, go to the Gambling Commission website.
Within Northern Ireland, get in touch with your local council for your licence.
9. Spread the word
Advertise your event in good time, before people make other plans. Setting up a Facebook event could be a good way to invite people and get the date in their diaries.
Post on social media, send out emails, put up posters, hand out flyers, shout from the rooftops. The more people who know about your fundraiser, the more chance you have of smashing your goal. Don’t forget to tell people why you’re doing what you’re doing.
When posting on social media, try to use images or video in your posts, to grab people’s attention. And don’t forget to tag us! Ask those close to you to spread the word too.
Fundraising events also make great local news stories. We’ve put together a press release template that you can edit and send off to your local newspapers and radio stations to get more support.
10. Plan!
Put a detailed plan in place for before, during and after the event, and share with everyone who’s helping you to run the event. Make sure everyone involved knows where they need to be, and that the venue manager knows exactly what you’re planning.
If you’re selling tickets on the door, think about how you’ll do this. Do you need to remind people to bring cash? How will you accept donations?
We’re sure your event will be a big success, but it doesn’t hurt to make a list of the possible things that could go wrong on the day – and how you’ll manage them. The more prepared you are, the better the event will be.