How to organise your own fundraising event:
- Don't go it alone
- Decide What you Want to Do
- Set a Budget and Goals
- Contact Arthritis Ireland
- Draw up a Plan of Action
- Anticipate the Worst
- During the event
- After the event
Gather a group of friends or colleagues who can form the basis of an organising committee.
Look at our Fundraising Ideas and decide what would appeal most to the people you and the committee know. If your buddies are out in the hills every weekend, maybe a sponsored climb would be more appealing than an expensive black-tie benefit. But if they're all party animals, a cycle ride might not be the way to go!
Rule No. 1: You should be able to name at least 50% of people who you know will take part in/attend the event before you start. Remember, advertising does not sell tickets, even a great idea does not sell tickets. Only people sell tickets.
Draw up a budget and goals for the event, including gross and net income, number of tickets to be sold, number of raffle prizes to be obtained, etc. Think how much you wish to raise for the charity; ideally your costs should not be more than 50% of what you raise. Think about how you will deal with deposits and up front costs if you will not receive revenue until later - perhaps you could have an 'early-bird' ticket price to encourage people to buy early, or perhaps you need a sponsor. Decide how many people you aim to attend (remember rule no. 1) and how much you can sell tickets for (or how much you'll expect them to raise). Are there other ways you can raise income, eg. by adding a raffle or auction, or by asking companies or friends to provide cash sponsorship? Then list all the expenses you can think of; rental of a location, invitation/ticket printing, food and drink (including corkage), insurance, flowers, band/disco, transport, etc.
We will give you some fundraising materials such as sponsorship cards and tshirts.
Draw up a plan of action with action items, a deadline for each action, and a person assigned to each action.
| Action | By Date | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Book venue and entertainment | date | Name here |
| 2. Approach five restaurants for gift certs for raffle | date | Name here |
| 3. Organise design and printing of invites | date | Name here |
| 4. Send press release to local paper/radio station | date | Name here |
Remember to check things like insurance, garda permits (for street collecting), how you will look after the money etc.
Think about what could go wrong and have contingency plans.
Will you need volunteers from the committee to take tickets, sell raffle tickets, make a speech etc?
Will you need people to help clean up?
How are you going to look after the money you raise and get it to Focus Ireland? (Cheque or bank draft, Safe/Cash Box, Bank Account?)
Don't forget to thank everyone who helped. A phone call is nice, a personal note even better.
- Set a fundraising target for each member of your team – it is easier to fundraise when you are trying to reach a goal!
- Go Online! it can dramatically improve your fundraising – it’s secure, confidential (we won’t contact any of your sponsors), its quick and convenient but the best bit is that you don’t have to collect any money!To sign up just log onto our online fundraising page here.
- Ask! Don’t just tell them you are doing a sponsored walk/run – make sure you ask them for their support! Be sure to tell them how they can donate!
- If you are working, check to see if your company offers a matching sponsorship program. This is a good way to double your money.
- Raise your money in honor of yourself, family member, friend or co-worker who has arthritis.
- A Gentle Reminder…Be prepared to send a gentle reminder! We all have the best of intentions but with our busy lives we can often forget – a gentle reminder is all you need to get great fundraising results.
We hope that these tips help and we wish you the very best of luck with your fundraising!
