July 16, 2010...9:15 am

Fundraising Tip – Picking the Perfect Date

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Picking the right date for a fundraiser often comes down to a variety of unpredictable factors (such as a favorable weather forecast) but there are many preparatory steps you can take to ensure that you’ve thought about all of the factors that ARE within your control. For example:

- Be sure to take a look at a variety of calendars that might have popular upcoming events listed (ex. School & community calendars; Sports, music, or local cultural events; Upcoming holiday festivals or celebrations). Having a good idea of what activities and events are coming up in your area can make sure to avoid dates that would pose a variety of conflicts.

- If your event includes renting a venue, research a few location options so that you have can pick your date, as opposed to the narrow, constricted selection of a particular venue.

- Make a list! Be sure to outline the benefits and drawbacks of deciding one way or the other, and take into account as many factors as you can think of. While your initial instinct may be to go with one date, sometimes writing out all of the details can provide some clarity as to the best option.

- Get the input of your team. Don’t be hesitant to consult others; maybe they know of a conflict that you haven’t thought of or they can make a recommendation to help guide you.

- Remember,  just because you’ve used one date in the past doesn’t mean you have to stick to it again. When it comes to fundraising, tradition is great, but the most important thing is making sure that people show up so that all of your hard work pays off.

Do you have some great, reliable fundraising tips of your own? Share them in the comment section.


1 Comment

  • For any fund raising event, I recommend providing plenty of opportunities for people to give.
    One simple, yet often forgotten tried-and-true method is to put out containers, such as water cooler jugs, marked for the occasion.
    (Yes, you can get as fancy with the receptacles as you wish!) You will collect more donations than if they were not there at all!


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