There are thousands of organizations that help raise funds for the less fortunate. If you plan to organize a fund-raising banquet, you must invest time and effort well before the expected date of the special event. Understanding the dynamics of fund-raising will help you to reach your goal promptly and will make the banquet successful. Never forget that fund-raising helps the people in need and that they should be the focus of your banquet at all times.
Instructions
1. Choose a fund-raiser for an organization that you want to support. You can even create your own organization and distribute the money according to your causes.
2. Set a monetary goal you want to raise at the banquet at least 6 months before it happens. Research previous fund-raisers that raised money for the cause you wish to support and make an estimated judgment from the monetary gain from their banquet.
3. Set up a committee to help with the fund-raiser. Assign volunteers to handle publicity, money collection, record keeping, delivery logistics, recruiting and advertisement. You cannot prepare for a banquet all on your own; getting a few dozen volunteers to assist you will facilitate the planning process and make the arrangements more cohesive.
4. Visit fund-raising companies where you can set up the banquet. Interview each company thoroughly, asking questions about their company incentives, building safety and background. You want the most experienced and safe company to represent you for the banquet. Take time to look into each company, extending visits to at least 45 minutes or longer.
5. Create a master schedule with the fund-raising company and with your committee. Make a list of necessary materials, volunteers, advance promotion, deadlines, prizes and meetings that you will need to conduct throughout the next few months. Make a complete calendar in which each event is dated and send a working calendar to each volunteer. Designate a volunteer to be in charge of sending out reminder emails as each event approaches.
6. Promote the event heavily in the week or two before the banquet. Send out fliers, emails and website advertisements; make phone calls to businesses in all potential areas to alert them to this special fund-raising event. The more attention you attract to this event --- the better the turnout will be when the banquet comes.
7. Set up the banquet a week before it starts. Coordinate your decorations to compliment or accentuate the cause you are supporting. Add extra seating in case more people show up unexpectedly. Check with the fund-raising company that all phone lines and other necessary equipment are working properly.
8. Display appetizers and place beverages on the tables about 30 minutes before the fund-raiser begins. Communicate with your committee and banquet director to ensure that everything regarding the logistics of operating the fund-raising event and food service will run smoothly. Open the doors an hour before the expected banquet time.
Tags: before expected, each company, each event, fund-raising company, fund-raising event