Washington/Alaska

Checklist for Fundraising 105

• Brainstorm events that would be appropriate based on your interests and network.
• Set the date.
• Budget the cost of putting your event on, how much you expect to make, and the time it will take to plan.
• Decide on a small, medium or large scale fundraiser based on the time you're able to commit to planning and execution and the size and style of your audience
• Solicit in-kind donations from local businesses to be used as opportunity drawing items, silent auction items, and prizes.
• Make an event flyer (both hard-copy and electronic)
• Invite everyone you know!
• Staff and host the event

Thinking Ahead

Start early! Begin your planning at least 3-5 weeks before the event date, and remember to work with or around holidays.

Don't limit yourself to house parties. See below for additional ideas, and think about your favorite places to eat, drink, shop, or listen to music, and imagine throwing yourself a party there! It's a sure-sell FUN way to fundraise!

Many organizations (especially restaurants) are already set up to host fundraisers - you just invite the guests. Research local fundraising opportunities and ask your mentor for help. 

Types of Event Fundraisers

Small Scale Fundraisers

• Restaurant fundraisers - you will receive a percentage of the food sales from everyone who brings in a flyer
• Selling TNT bracelets - ask your team manager how to order
• Garage sale
• Set up a TNT banner and donation jar at your office, concert, movie theater, grocery store, mall, etc - be sure to ask permission from the venue
• Car wash
• Bake sale

Medium Scale Fundraisers

• House party (can be themed, particularly for the holidays)
• Comedy night
• Pub crawl
• Beer pong tournament
• Karaoke contest
• Bowling tournament
• Poker night
• Guest bartending
• Pampered chef party
• Mary Kay party
• Bingo night
• Happy hour
• Sunday Funday

Large Scale Fundraisers

• Bachelor / bachelorette auction
• Speed dating
• Black tie gala
• Concert
• Volleyball tournament
• 5K fun run

Budgeting

Keep donation expectations at the front of planning. If 45 people attend your event and you charge $10 entry, that's $450! Add in some extra ways to donate throughout the event to maximize your fundraising total.

Supplement your fundraiser with auction items, drink specials and door prizes. Get as many items donated as possible. Many local merchants happily donate items or services for charity (called "in-kind donations")- look on Yelp.com and check your rolodex and the phone book for leads. Ask your mentor for an "In Kind Donation Ask Letter" to help solicit these gifts. You can download fact sheets about LLS and our 501(c)(3) (proof of our nonprofit status), including our tax ID number,  from your eTools page in the Fundraising Toolbox.

Tip! Make your event work for your venue.
Approach your venue with several possible dates, and pick nights when they're less likely to be busy. Businesses are more welcoming (and generous) when you can bring them customers on what would normally be a slow night.

Tip! The more, the merrier!
Consider planning a group fundraiser with your teammates to ensure a large number of people attending your fundraiser. (Word of advice: decide how proceeds will be shared before the event, and put it in writing.)

Invite Everyone You Know

Make your event the place to be. Invite friends, family, coworkers, teammates, mentors, captains and coaches. Ask your fundraising or social captain to invite the team and to include it in upcoming emails. Here's how to maximize attendance:

1. Create an invitation on Facebook, Evite or Pingg (or another social network) and send it to everyone on your contacts list.
2. Encourage your contacts to share the link with everyone. An open invitation doesn't just get more people to come - it encourages people to donate to your campaign even if they are unable to attend. You never know who's been affected by blood cancers.
3. Send event reminders a week or two before the event to everyone on your invite list. Remind people who can't come that they can still support you by donating online.
4. Publicize your fundraiser to other teams and the TNT Community! Send your flyer to your fundraising captain and bring it to practice.

Event Logistics

• Create an agenda for the event.
• How are you going to handle donations at the event? Will the venue allow it? If you're collecting cash, checks and credit card numbers, can you bring a cash box or a bank bag? If there's internet access, bring a laptop so people can donate online.
• If the venue is donating a portion of their proceeds for the night, ask them to give you an agreement in writing.
• Plan to arrive an hour before the event starts to setup and tend to last minute details.
• Recruit friends, family and co-fundraisers to volunteer selling raffle tickets, collecting donations, greeting guests and cleaning up.
• Ask your team manager for TNT posters, brochures, stickers and other giveaways for your event. Tell everyone to take home a poster or some information. You'll be amazed by how many people appreciate this.

After the Event: Thank You

• Thank the venue, even if they were difficult to work with! Send a note thanking them for their commitment to our mission.
• Thank all of your volunteers, donors and attendees. People are more inclined to give again in the future if they feel appreciated.
• Thank your in-kind donors. It's not just the right thing to do - you're paving the way for future fundraisers!