Hosting A Fundraiser: A Beginner’s Guide For Small Businesses

Hosting a fundraiser is a fantastic way to connect with your local community whilst promoting your business. Not only does it show members of your community that you want to give back, but it also helps bring people together in support of a good cause.

If this is your first fundraiser as a small business owner, you may be looking for some advice. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place as this article will run through a few essentials you need.

Set A Budget

Setting up a fundraiser will require a lot of funds. Not only do you need money for the venue, but you’ll also need to account for other key factors like promotional materials, food, drink, the list goes on. Therefore, it is crucial that you set a budget. Once you have a fundraising total in mind, make sure to increase it – so you have the money to cover the cost of the event.

It is recommended that you use a budget planner; you can easily find these online. Try to shop around for the things you need. For example, if you require a caterer, don’t just choose the first one you find. Contact multiple businesses to help you find the best deal. Networking can also help. If you reach out to other companies in the area and tell them you are raising money for a good cause, they may offer their services for free

Find Promotional Materials

Once fundraising preparation is well underway, you will need to start scouting promotional materials. How will people know about your event? How will people know your business hosted the event? Luckily, creating an advertisement can be simple. Start by displaying posters around your local area. Contact local radio stations and newspapers to see if they will give you a shout out.

You’ll want to promote your business at the event, and a great way to achieve this is by creating display products like pop up stands and banner frames. You can enlist the help of a site like Discount Displays which specialise in making display products and exhibition stands. Remember, this event is about raising funds for a good cause, so you don’t want to make it too much about your business as this could create the wrong impression.

Think Of a Theme

It is important to remember that raising money for a good cause is not a theme. You need to think of a way to attract people to your fundraiser. Choosing a theme can certainly help. For example, a quiz night can entertain a lot of people. Whilst raising money for a good cause, they can make some fun memories in the process. You can even hold a bake sale there to raise some extra cash.

You can ask other local businesses to donate any prizes and even hold a charity raffle at the end. If you struggle to think of a theme, try bearing your target audience in mind. Ask yourself, what type of theme would they enjoy the most? It also doesn’t hurt to look for theme ideas online, as there are plenty out there to inspire you.