Nonprofit Fundraising with Annual Events

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Amy Passmore

Amy Passmore is a fundraising for nonprofit organizations, clubs, schools and groups. Visit her website, DIY Fundraising for fundraising tips and techniques.

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Every year around the winter holidays you'll find many non-profit organizations, clubs and groups holding fundraising events. These events range from large elegant galas to craft sales and everything in between. Many large non-profit organizations host only one large fundrasing event a year and raise the majority of their needed yearly funds with one annual event. Of course, special events of this magnitude require months of planning and a team of dedicated volunteers.

Hosting an annual event has several advantages. Your organization will become known for a certain event that the community remembers and looks forward to participating in. When you hold the same event yearly you'll be able to streamline and refine your operations and, hopefully, increase participation and earn more money every year. Whatever kind of non-profit club, group or organization you are a member of, you can probably think up some kind of event and raise funds with it. Hold a special event this year, and next year if you decide to do it again, you can call it your "Second Annaual Fundraiser."

Ideas for Annual Special Event Fundraisers

Holiday and Seasonal Events - Breakfast with Santa, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Madrigal dinners, October Fests, fall or spring fashion shows, Christmas caroling

Carnivals - These can be held both outdoors and indoors

Banquets and Dinners - Themes dinners, awards dinners, mystery theatres

Sports Events - Annual tournaments in any sport such as golf, volleyball, bowling, softball, raft races. The list of sporting event possibilities is limitless

Food Events - Wine tastings, dessert tastings, progressive dinners, cook-offs, bake-offs, picnics, ice cream socials, cookie exchanges, pancake breakfasts, bull and oyster roasts

Plays and Shows - Talent shows, Christmas plays, Halloween plays, Dinner Theaters

You will make money with these events by selling tickets. However, you should also look for other ways to make money by selling things or including a silent auction in the program. Items you can sell are items that your organization produces such as a cookbook or CD, or promotional items such as t-shirts with your logo on them. Silent auctions can be combined with just about any fundraiser and is an added draw for the attendees.

Article by Amy Passmore of DIY Fundraising. Visit www.diyfundraising.com for do-it-yourself fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations, clubs, schools and groups.