how to host a benefit

1. Learn about the cause you're supporting. The best way to inspire people to donate is to truly care. ...
2. Determine the event type. Before you make any other plans regarding a benefit, you need to spend some time determining the type of event you're hosting.
3. Look into laws and regulations. Things like taxes, permits, the buying and selling of food and alcohol, and other aspects of running a benefit are all affected by different ...
4. Build a team. You cannot run a benefit on your own. ...

Full Answer

How can I host a benefit concert?

If you’re located in a less populous area or have very limited resources, you can simply host a few performers in a local community space. If you operate near a thriving music community or cultural center, you might go a bit bigger. The great thing is that you can make your benefit concert as small or as big as you want.

When is the best time to host a benefit event?

If you're hosting a benefit concert with alcohol, it might be a good idea to plan the event on a weekend night. If you're hosting a bake sale and selling foods at a local grocery store, a weekday night might be a better option. Ask the store about their biggest shopping days. Choose a date well in advance.

Can I host a charity event to benefit a charity?

Since you are hosting an event to benefit a charity, you can consider asking whether the venue would be willing to donate use of the space, or offer a reduced booking rate. When selecting a location, there are some factors you should consider.

How do I choose a benefit for my event?

Benefits come in a variety of forms. Try to pick a benefit that's doable for you given your resources and is appropriate for your cause. Smaller events usually come in the form of bake sales, car washes, craft fairs, beauty pageants, karaoke contests, and other low stakes competitions.

How do I host a benefit fundraiser?

Determine your fundraising event goals. ... Select the Right Type of Event Fundraiser. ... Establish your fundraising event budget. ... Devise a leadership team for fundraising event planning. ... Set a date and time for your fundraising event. ... Market your fundraising event efficiently. ... Sell tickets to your fundraising event.More items...

How do you throw someone a benefit?

People will want to help you organize the benefit or attend it in order to help make it a success, so be sure to ask for volunteers and to spread the word about the benefit in your community. Communicate with the person or family for which you want to raise money. Tell them you would like to hold a benefit.

How do you create a benefit event?

How to Do a Benefit Concert: Guidelines for Performing Artists and Others Who Want to Make a Difference by Jen ChapinSelect The Beneficiary. ... Think About Your Audience. ... Determine When and Where Your Benefit Will Take Place. ... Calculate Expenses. ... Set Goals. ... Think About Extras. ... Publicize the Event, the Beneficiary, and Yourself.

How do you run a successful benefit fundraiser?

6 Steps for a Successful Fundraising EventSet a goal that makes sense: Set ONE goal and focus on that goal only. ... Choose the right type of event: ... Secure corporate sponsors: ... Design a dynamic experience for your supporters: ... Promote the heck out of your event: ... Assess your results and cultivate your relationships:

How do you show benefits?

How to Throw a Benefit Concert in 4 Simple StepsStep 1: Choosing Your Show. First, ask yourself, “What kind of show do you want to put on?” ... Step 2: Setting the Lineup. Now it's time to get some rock stars on the bill. ... Step 3: Promoting the Concert. ... Step 4: What You Do for the Money, Honey. ... Ready to Rock.

How do I start a benefit dinner?

How to Hold a Benefit DinnerPick The Place.Pick the Date and Time.Decide What to Serve.Decide If You Want Entertainment.Advertise.Choose Decorations and Displays.The Day of the Event: Have Fun.

How can I raise money fast?

If you borrow money from friends or family, it's best to draw up a contract about the terms of the loan.1) Liquidate Your Assets.2) Take on Odd Jobs.3) Track Down Your Loose Change.4) Organize a Garage Sale.5) Get Money From Your Retirement Accounts.6) Part With Your Plasma.7) Borrow Money From Friends or Family.More items...

What is a benefit fundraiser?

A benefit is an event that helps raise money for a charity. Organizing a fundraising benefit requires a lot of planning time and deliberation. If implemented successfully, you can secure donors for the event and future events.

How do you arrange a benefit concert?

How to Plan a Benefit ConcertStep One – Come Up with Concert Fundraiser Ideas. The first step is to decide which type of fundraising concert you're going to hold. ... Step Two – Determine Your Venue. ... Step Three – Reach Out to Performers. ... Step Four – Set a Date. ... Step Five – Spread the Word.

How do I host a small fundraiser?

HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL SMALL FUNDRAISER1) Find a Lovely Space. ... 2) You Need An Obvious Place for a Pitch. ... 3) The Host Must Have Skin in the Game. ... 4) Set a Goal for the Event. ... 5) Secure a Financial Commitment from the Host. ... 6) Get Prospects in the Room. ... 7) Work That Room! ... 8) The Pitch.More items...

What are the most profitable fundraisers?

Top Products for Most Profitable School Fundraisers$2 Chocolatiers. Peanut Free, $2 candy bars. Make $120.00 (up to $144.00) per case. 50% Profit (up to 60% profit) $2.00 sellers. ... Dinner and a Movie Discount Cards. Over 100,000 participating merchants. Make $7.00 per card. 70% profit. $10.00 sellers. ... School Bus Scratch Cards.

How do I start a small fundraiser?

How to Start a Fundraiser: Everything You Need to Know in 8...Step 1: Set Your Goals.Step 2: Choose a Type of Fundraiser.Step 3: Create a Plan.Step 4: Choose a Platform.Step 5: Create Your Promotional Materials.Step 6: Promote Your Fundraiser.Step 7: Don't Forget Your New Donors.Step 8: Evaluate Your Success.More items...•

What happens when you are overwhelmed by a difficult situation?

When someone is overwhelmed by a difficult situation, a kind-hearted or civic-minded person or group can hold a benefit to raise money to help the recipient or recipients to overcome a challenge.

What is an organizing lead?

An organizing lead who is the main liaison between the benefit's volunteers and the individual or group who will be helped can ensure respectful charitable efforts and be a key to the success of the activities.

Finding entertainment for your fundraiser

Once you pick the cause that your raising money for, reach out to as many acts as you can. If you don’t have a big headliner that’s totally fine. Having a concert comprised of lots of different performers can be just as entertaining, and the more acts you have, the more likely they are to invite their friends and family to your fundraising event.

Sponsorship for your fundraiser

Put together a sponsorship package for your fundraising event. When you approach local businesses in your community, make sure they know what they will be receiving when they sponsor your cause. A benefit concert is great because there are so many things that your supporters can sponsor.

Marketing for your fundraiser

Print flyers for your benefit concert event and make sure they are visible in places that your supporters frequent. Create a Facebook event for your fundraiser and send out an email to your community members so they can save the date.

Cost of your fundraiser

Create a budget for your fundraising event that includes the venue, talent, equipment, set up and take down, and miscellaneous items like food and drinks. Aggregate all of these costs and divide them by how many people you expect to attend, and you have your ticket price.

Day-of planning for your fundraiser

Your volunteers should be well aware of day-of expectations for your event. Make sure that you have volunteers tasked with set up and take down, as well as someone who is responsible for handling the talent that is performing at your event.

Bonus cash back for your fundraiser

If you have a FlipGive fundraising page, you can direct your supporters there in case they want to make additional donations, you could also earn up to 25% cash back on items you need for your event.

Step 1

Determine how many volunteers are required. The numbers multiply exponentially if you're planning a gala with elaborate meals and drinks, which must be set up, serviced and broken down again.

Step 2

Choose a venue. Take into account factors that affect attendance -- such as proximity to public transportation. Make a short list of three or four choices.

Step 3

Determine how much money will be raised and how the goal will be reached.

Step 1

Get commitments from the chosen venue and any participating performers. The more complicated the event, the farther ahead you need to plan; two to six months is the norm.

Step 2

Recruit a committee of friends, coworkers and business acquaintances to handle different aspects of the event. Schedule weekly meetings to keep track of the planning and head off any last-minute issues.

Step 3

Seek sponsors to help absorb the costs associated with the benefit, from door prizes to food and PA systems. Most sponsors will swap services in return for a promotion.

Step 4

Try to settle your committee, sponsor and venue lineup within the first couple of months of organizing. Start looking for volunteers.

Find a Venue

Talk to local clubs, bars and other venues about holding an art exhibition, concert or club night to raise money for your relative. Once you've secured a venue, approach artists, musicians and DJs to ask if they would consider taking part in your fundraiser free of charge.

Plan an Event

Arrange a black-tie dinner and auction event if you're trying to attract a slightly older, more conservative audience. Ask local businesses and individuals to donate goods and services to sell to aid your sick relative.

Solicit Donations

Solicit donations from people living in your area by holding a rummage or yard sale on your own property. You can solicit the items to sell from community members, local craft makers and children by advertising in your local paper, and producing fliers and posters to distribute around town. Then, advertise the sale in the same manner.

Host a Fundraising Game

Set up a sporting event to raise funds for your ailing family member. Approach local football and soccer teams about staging a fundraising game, especially if the person for whom you're raising cash is passionate about a local team.

How to save money on a venue?

You can save money on the venue by hosting it at a church or at someone's home. You may be able to get a discount on a venue rental if you hold the event at an off time and let the owner know it's a fundraiser. Other common expenses include: Food. Fees for servers if needed. Table and chair rentals.

How to raise money for cancer patients?

If you're raising money for a child with cancer, choose an activity the child likes or something that is child-friendly like a dance-a-thon or carnival. For adults, choose something that matches their interests. For a gardener, you might sell floral arrangements. If the patient loves bowling, arrange a bowling challenge. Other factors include your available resources and the amount of time you have to plan the event. Complex activities with lots of elements require more lead time.

How to handle money properly?

Handling the money properly helps you avoid any legal issues. Set up a separate bank account to hold the funds you raise. Put one person in charge of managing the account. Work with the bank to make sure the beneficiary is able to access the funds.

How to make a fundraiser?

Lots of people want to help, but you need a small, powerful group to handle planning. Bring in other volunteers to help with other aspects of the benefit. Form the committee as early as possible to give the members the time necessary to plan a successful event.

What to do if a patient loves bowling?

For a gardener, you might sell floral arrangements. If the patient loves bowling, arrange a bowling challenge. Other factors include your available resources and the amount of time you have to plan the event. Complex activities with lots of elements require more lead time.

Can you make a cancer patient better?

You can't make the person better, but you can help out in other ways, including financially. Even if the patient has good health insurance, there's likely money going toward medical bills, travel expenses and medication. Add in the missed wages from time off work, and the financial toll can be high. Planning a benefit for the cancer patient helps ...

Is a 5k a charity event?

The charity walk or run is generally a go-to event for nonprofits of nearly all sizes. But with everyone and their mother’s charity hosting a 5K, you may want to go in a different direction for your next fundraising event. If you want to try something new while still following a long-standing fundraising model, a benefit concert might be just what you’re looking for.

Do you need to market a benefit concert?

If you’re holding a benefit concert to tap into new audiences, you will need to market it to them. Of course you should let your existing donors and supporters know about the event, but don’t miss out on all the local music-lovers who might be interested. In this way, a benefit concert is actually a lot like peer-to-peer fundraising.

How to keep dinner running on time?

Having your dinner drag on too long is a sure way to lose your guests' interest. Someone should be tasked with the job of keeping the dinner running on time. That means you need to start on time, hit your marks during the night, and end on time.

How to raise money for a missionary?

1. Set your goal. Decide how much you want to raise, i.e. your net gain after expenses are deducted. Linking your goal directly to a clear objective will make it easier to get people to attend. Perhaps you’re raising money to cover the cost of a new roof for your coop nursery school, or to send a missionary to China.

What is a dinner fundraiser?

Article Summary X. Running a dinner fundraiser is a great way to raise money for a good cause. First, work out how much you’ll need to spend on expenses like catering, entertainment, and space rental. Popular forms of entertainment include live music, speakers, and a talent show.

What is a fundraising dinner?

Fundraising dinners are a tried and true way to raise money for your cause, whether you’re a church, school, non-profit, or political candidate. While the size and expense may differ from event to event, the fundamentals remain the same.

Can schools save money hosting dinners?

If preparing your own food, you will need access to somewhere with a kitchen. Schools or churches can save money by hosting the event. Non-profits with interesting settings, like zoos and libraries, should also consider hosting. For most dinner fundraisers, though, you will want to rent a space.