How To Plan A Fundraising Event

The ultimate checklist for charities looking to smash their first fundraising event.

Events are an effective way for charities and nonprofits to immerse their supporters in a memorable, exciting, and personal experience. While many individuals give to charities on a regular basis, donating takes on a more personal, emotive meaning when there is an in-person interaction behind it. However, as we all know over the last year, the events industry has ground to a halt. Fortunately, many companies made the most of the opportunity to innovate by transitioning to virtual events. As a result, in 2020 the UK’s Top 25 events raised over £74m.

As we move out of lockdown, charities are once more beginning to fill up their events calendar. Whether it’s virtual or in-person, organising a fundraiser can be a daunting prospect. Even the most experienced events managers will encounter the same challenges year in, year out. Fortunately, this guide covers the key components of organising charity events. No matter the size or scale of your fundraising event, these are the vital steps in how to plan a fundraising event successfully.

Step 1 – Define your cause

Be clear on who you’re raising money for and why. This creates a clear promotional strategy in the lead-up to the event, and helps donors know what the impact of their participation in the event will be. Events with a clear aim in mind are far more impactful as they help donors connect to your cause on a personal level. This should align with your overall fundraising strategy so that all channels, campaigns and projects work towards the same end target.

Step 2 – Set a fundraising goal

Traditional fundraising has historically revolved around reaching a monetary target. How much money can you raise from your fundraising event? But as we mentioned in our blog post on