In the last several years, I’ve raised hundreds of thousands with events. For example, with one event I organized in 2007, I raised $75,000 with a gala and auction event that had raised $65,000 the year before. In 2008, with the same event format, I raised $101,000. In the latter part of 2008, I raised $250,000 with an annual dinner, when they’d made $150,000 the year before. And these are only a few of the events I organized in the last several years. I say this not to brag, but to tell you why you should heed my advice.
Want proof? I made a slideshow with pictures and stats from the events.
Events by Mazarine
So, if you want to have the same success with events, you can hire me, or simply follow my model.
When you’re organizing an event, the FIRST thing you want to do is brainstorm everything you want to do. Sit down with your event committee.
Then narrow it down.
The three things that will ensure your success are:
Your Event Budget
Your Sponsorship letter and relationships
The Quality of your Followup
Creating Your Budget
If you don’t know what should be in your event budget, never fear. I’ve got a sample one for you! It’s only $5.00, and it’s comprehensive. Suitable for everything from a fair to a dinner or gala, with realistic projections of how much you will probably spend.
Next, since you’ve made your goals with event sponsorship or booth space and ticket sales, now you need to start getting those sponsorships and booths.
How do you start to do that?
Write your Sponsorship Letter
First, go to your database and look at who gave before. If you don’t know, go to your board and ask who they know. Then go to the business journal in your city and look up likely businesses.
Then use this letter! It’s only five bucks. And it will pay for itself a hundred times over with the first sponsorship you get! Feel free to customize it to fit your particular cause. I think you’ll find the bullet points will fit what you’re doing.
Your Follow Up
Once you’ve set your letter, the first part of your follow up should be to send an email with the same information.
The second part of your follow up should be to call one week later to follow up, preferably on a Thursday or Friday morning.
What do you say when you call? I’m glad you asked! Check out my sample event phone-call follow up script, and tailor it to fit your nonprofit. It too, is only $5.00, and totally worth it.
If you follow my advice, and use these scripts and letters, you will be getting the sponsorships in no time!
If you’d rather save a bundle of money, buy my new book, The Wild Woman’s Guide to Fundraising for just $45.00, it has so much information! Over 200 pages of resources, advice, stories, and more! AND it includes a CD with blank templates for you to use like your own fundraising office in a box!
I like the points you make here. Budget, Sponsorship Relationships, and Followup – definitely the three most important things in fundraising events.
Do you have any insight on how to get charities on board with our fundraising campaigns?
Great post, will definitely be back! (Found you on Twitter, btw – I’m @GameRaiseHayley)
Hi Hayley,
If you would like to schedule a phonecall with me to talk about how to reach nonprofits, please email me at info@wildwomanfundraising.com.
Thanks!
Mazarine
One thing that I have noticed is that the really big companies get the support of a local celebrity. Do you have any thoughts about how to approach a celebrity to support your cause?