Why Events Matter for Fundraising
Events are more than just gatherings—they’re relationship builders and fundraising multipliers.
They help organizations:
- Build community and loyalty
- Increase donor engagement
- Raise more through layered giving strategies
- Attract sponsors and local partners
- Share their story in a memorable way
According to Charities Aid Foundation, events remain one of the top three sources of nonprofit revenue each year.
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Start Your Event for FreePopular Types of Fundraising Events
1. Gala & Dinner Events
Elegant, high-impact experiences where attendees give through:
- Live auctions
- Paddle raises
- Raffles and sponsorships
Best for established donor bases and major gift cultivation.
2. Walk-a-Thons & Fun Runs
Community-friendly events that blend health and giving.
- Low-cost to host
- Works for schools, nonprofits, and churches
- Perfect for peer-to-peer fundraising
High engagement, low overhead.
3. Silent & Online Auctions
Fundraising powerhouse for both in-person and virtual settings.
- Easy to scale with digital platforms like CharityAuctionsToday
- Works for any size organization
- Great for raffles, donated items, and sponsorships
Flexible and profitable.
4. Festivals & Community Fairs
Casual, fun, family-friendly events.
- Carnival games, raffles, food booths
- Partner with local businesses for prizes
- Easy to repeat annually
Drives community engagement.
5. Golf Tournaments
Classic choice for corporate and high-capacity donors.
- Sponsorship packages = major revenue
- Ideal for networking and donor cultivation
- Layer with silent auctions or raffles
Great for professional networks and annual giving.
6. Online & Hybrid Events
Reach supporters anywhere.
- Virtual auctions, livestream campaigns, digital galas
- Low cost and accessible
- Expand donor base beyond local community
Scalable, flexible, and inclusive.
How to Plan a Successful Event (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Define Your Goal
Ask:
- How much do we want to raise?
- Who is our audience?
- What’s the primary call to action?
Example: “Raise $50,000 to fund new classroom technology.”
Step 2: Choose the Right Event Type
Match your goals, budget, and audience.
- Small local base? → Festival or raffle night
- National supporters? → Virtual auction
- High-net-worth donors? → Gala or golf tournament
Step 3: Build Your Budget
Include:
- Venue & permits
- Marketing & printing
- Technology & platform costs
- Food, prizes, decor
- Staff & volunteer hours
Tip: Aim for 70%+ net revenue after expenses.
Step 4: Secure Sponsors & Partners
Sponsors can cover major costs.
- Offer tiered sponsorship packages (Bronze, Silver, Gold)
- Highlight visibility (logos, signage, speaking slots)
- Engage early for bigger commitments
Step 5: Promote Early & Often
- Launch marketing 8–12 weeks before the event
- Use email campaigns and SMS reminders
- Post on social media with countdowns
- Offer early bird perks or raffle entries
Step 6: Layer Your Fundraising
Maximize revenue by combining:
- Ticket sales
- Silent or live auctions
- Raffles and donation jars
- Text-to-give or QR code giving
- Sponsorships
💡 Multiple streams = higher total revenue.
Step 7: Make the Event Memorable
- Keep programming tight and well-paced
- Use stories and testimonials
- Add visuals, music, or entertainment
- Celebrate donors and volunteers
Step 8: Follow Up After the Event
- Send thank-you emails within 48 hours
- Share fundraising totals and impact
- Post-event surveys to collect feedback
- Invite attendees to become recurring donors
Ideal Event Planning Timeline
| Timeline | Key Tasks |
|---|---|
| 3–6 months out | Set goals, choose event type, book venue |
| 2–3 months out | Secure sponsors, launch promotions |
| 1 month out | Confirm vendors, test platform, finalize program |
| 2 weeks out | Final push on marketing, volunteer training |
| Event day | Execute and engage |
| 1–2 days after | Send thank-yous, share results |
| 1–2 weeks after | Debrief and document lessons |
Recommended Tools & Platforms
- CharityAuctionsToday: Auctions, raffles, ticketing, donor tracking
- Eventbrite: Ticketing & registration
- Canva: Event marketing graphics
- Mailchimp: Email campaigns
- Zapier: Automations & workflows
Glossary of Event Fundraising Terms
- Silent Auction: Bidders place bids without an auctioneer.
- Paddle Raise: Real-time giving moment during a live event.
- Sponsorship: A business funds part of the event in exchange for exposure.
- Raffle: Random drawing for prizes to raise funds.
- Peer-to-Peer: Supporters raise funds on behalf of the organization.
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