First time planners or seasoned organisers often run into difficulties when it comes to planning events. Perhaps time is shorter than expected, or other obstacles have come up. There is a date set and a cause to support. Your event might not be perfect, but you can prevent any major mistakes from occurring by knowing what to look out for ahead of time.
1. Having a Limited Auction
Auctions are a great draw for a fundraiser. It gives donors an incentive to give more than they would with the promise of ownership of something with a unique value. And everyone will come wanting something, but not everyone can afford the top-list items. Be mindful of the crowd you pull and offer a wide array of auctions so everyone can have a chance to bid on something. The more, the merrier.
2. Lack of Accessibility
A common mistake that fundraisers make whilst planning an event is having limited accessibility. To ensure everyone is accommodated for, we would suggest providing a wide selection of auction items that covers a range of budgets. At Full Event Fundraising, we provide support with selecting the right auction items that will meet your audience’s interests. Another way you can ensure accessibility is to include a raffle or a game of heads and tails with a low entry fee. This will give everyone the chance to feel like a winner whilst also inserting a break within the evening.
3. Not Planning a Running Order
Fundraising events are all business in the back-end. While preparing, you may be so caught up in how to fund your drive that you forget why everyone else might be coming. Be sure your event is well organised with timely events scheduled to pace out engagement with the cause and entertainment for the guests. Happy guests are more supportive and will pay beyond what is expected if they feel they’ve gotten more than just a giving feeling out of their evening.
4. Lacking On-Site Management
Even if you attract a crowd of the most kind hearted and polite people, something could go wrong. Whether it be with guests or the venue, on-site management needs to be on hand to handle any issue as it comes up. Don’t assume guests will clean up every mess they make. Be sure you employ active staff who can keep up with events and maintain the composure of the venue until the final guest leaves.
5. Having an Undefined Goal
Every fundraiser has the same goal: to bring in money which will support the cause. Every attendee has the same goal, to support the cause with their donations. But if you push forward with an agenda that covers these two goals and nothing more, you are likely to fail. Leaving your end goal vague or open-ended means you won’t prepare for the proper scope. What is “success” for this event? Is it possible to aim higher? Or would lowering your expectations be more reasonable? Have a defined, absolute goal that can be reached if everyone unites together, and they will do their very best to achieve that goal with you.
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