Private charity fundraising event ideas

It’s time to talk through the private charity fundraising event ideas. Notice that the size of the event is not predetermined. This is because, in fact, the scale of your event is determined entirely by your fundraising goal. Planning to raise $10k and tickets are $200 per person? You need to sell 50 tickets. Planning to raise $100,000 and hoping guests will donate up to $5,000 each? You’re looking at an event for 40 people (20 couples). Do the math, leave some wiggle room for no-shows and folks who do not donate, account for sponsorships, and the event size will be determined for you.

What type of event to host depends on the crowd you plan to invite. Knowing your audience is your greatest asset in hosting a successful event. Let's talk about your guests preferences for a minute:

Are they fancy or casual? Perhaps a gala or a BBQ.
Are they into specialty food, spirits, wine? Perhaps a tasting.
Are they competitive? Perhaps a tournament for individuals or teams.
Are they cultured? What about an exclusive evening with live music or live theater?
Are they professionals? Make it during business hours.
Are they retirees? Make it at lunchtime.
Are they looking for somewhere to be on a Monday night? Make it on a Monday night.

Private charity fundraising event ideas run the gamut. Let’s look at a few classic formats and elements that have run their course.

Private charity fundraising event ideas

The Gala

This tired, overrated format leaves guests wondering what exactly your organization is doing with all that money they’re donating. They have to go to the trouble of getting dressed up only to feel like their money isn’t going to the cause so much as it is toward their lobster dinner.

The Auction (Live or Silent)

Unless you are auctioning off vacations, wine, paddle boards or skis, high quality handmade items like quilts or cutting boards, or other exclusive things rich people want on a yearly basis, skip the auction. No one values pedestrian items - the gift cards to fancy restaurants, video game consoles, gift baskets, laser lipo treatments, or massage sessions. And in general, the dollar value of the goods in kind is almost never recovered, and you would be better off asking the donating business to be a sponsor.

The Dessert Dash

This is the most awkward race you will ever see people do in nice clothing. In case you’re unfamiliar, this is usually incorporated into a dinnertime fundraiser. There are desserts up for grabs to the table who donates the most during the evening. Highest donating table gets to dash up first and grab their dessert, and they’re quickly followed by all the other tables. Guests weave in and out of crowded spaces to grab cakes, cookies, macarons, and chocolates. Between the rising prevalence of allergen sensitivities and the taste buds of anyone at the table, the rush for desserts is as outdated as it is impractical. It does not add value to the event and it eats up precious volunteer time to make all the dessert towers and platters.

Now let's look at some less stodgy and awkward options.

Fresher Alternative Private Fundraiser Ideas

The Private Concert

Ask a prevalent musician to discount or donate their time. Local musicians are easiest, but depending on where you are located, this can prove challenging. Sell tickets to the concert at a fixed rate, offer a VIP option if you like, and let the show go on. Do not ask for any additional donations. Advertise simply - use online event calendars, local periodicals, the chamber of commerce, posters on cafe bulletin boards. Book an intimate venue, get a cash bar. As the musician to say a few words about supporting your organization, but do not take the spotlight away from them.

The Tasting

Food, beer, wine, tequila, or some combination of them is something folks will get out of their houses on a Monday night to attend. However, ticketing a “tasting” is never a good idea for a fundraiser. The price will never reflect the value of the tasting items. Instead, find a sponsor willing to offer a matching donation for large gifts. Let the evening be about the food as much as possible until the end when you ask folks to make donations. Let local vendors handle the flights and tasting items, and offer them the chance to invite a few of their regulars to join in (great way to attract new donors).

The Awards Ceremony

Business owners love awards because awards help them promote their businesses. Work with a local periodical or chamber to develop an awards ceremony that benefits your organization. It is absolutely worthwhile to hire a professional event planner for an awards ceremony - it is live entertainment, and having someone around who understands cues, music, stage presence, and tech is essential. Charge for tickets and sponsorships, and partner with the hosting organization to develop the event, set up a system for voting, and create award collateral (i.e. trophies, decals they can put in their business window, etc.).

There are so many right ways to host a private event. Again, knowing your audience will be the most important tool in your toolbelt.

Once you choose your event type, meet me back over at the budgeting page so we can get you ready to roll.