A Guide to the Different Fundraising Events and Why They're Successful in Rallying for a Cause

Raising money for a cause is essential because it makes a tangible difference and empowers change. Hosting a telethon or running a marathon raises awareness for diseases, tragic events or charitable organizations. The different types of fundraising events mean there are ways for everyone to contribute. Here are five proven fundraising ideas to help charities and bring positivity.  

Fundraising: Photo by GivingTuesday on Pexels

1. Trivia Night

Pubs can get crowded on weekends, so Fridays and Saturdays are excellent for fundraising. Newcomers and regulars can play trivia and engage in friendly competition regardless of the categories. Make the game specific to sports or a popular TV show to generate interest and engage the community. If people like your theme, they’ll be excited to come. 

Trivia nights typically require money to play each round, so collecting cash becomes easier. Organisers don’t need a lot of resources for the game, making it easy to set up. Basic preparation includes giving pen and paper to the players and questions and answers to the host. Then, you can repeat the fundraiser at other pubs in the area. 

2. Benefit Concerts 

How else can you have fun on the weekends? Music creates an engaging atmosphere, so consider a benefit concert to raise money. Because there are so many different types of music, these fundraising events can include a variety of genres. From rock to jazz, your organisation can build community and positively change the world. 

While getting Taylor Swift to your concert may be challenging, you can highlight rising stars in music and promote local artists. Admission is the primary way your event makes money, though there are additional ways to raise funds. You could create additional revenue streams through merchandise sales, food and beverage transactions and corporate sponsorships. 

3. Bake Sales 

Who doesn’t have a sweet tooth? Bake sales are effective fundraisers because they’re inclusive. Whether children or older adults are doing the baking, they only need an ingredients list and a recipe for delicious desserts. The profit margin can be high, considering organisers don’t need a lot of resources to make it happen. If you crowdsource the cookies, the day becomes easier. 

Bake sales foster a positive environment, regardless of the location. You can host them at a school, church or community centre to provide a familiar setting for locals. The different types of baking fundraising events mean bringing familiar favourites and new recipes. For example, somebody could bring chocolate ricotta mousse with vitamins C and K and calcium. 

4. Running for a Cause

The U.S. has about 50 million runners and joggers, so getting people together for a 5K or walkathon can be fruitful. These events generally require low overhead costs because of the established trails and streets. All you need to do is book the facility and gather volunteers to run the race day operations.

Running events unite thousands of people to fight for a cause. Whether you walk or run, you raise awareness for the mission and build community. While some people are competitive, others seek inclusive physical activity and outdoor time. Experts recommend eating a small, healthy snack between 30-60 minutes before a run, so provide snacks and beverages for the crowd. 

5. Charity Auctions

Different types of memorabilia in storage are valuable for your fundraising events. Put the cherished belongings up for auction and see how much people will bid on them. Some items could raise significant sums for charity in minutes of bidding if they hold sentimental or practical value. How much would you pay for a signed guitar? 

The auctioned articles can significantly differ and introduce diverse appeal. For example, buyers may enjoy Mamma Makes recipes and bid on her cookbook. Autographed memorabilia should quickly become a hot-ticket item if the crowd is interested. Contact musicians and athletic stars to see if they’ll donate to the auction. 

Using Different Types of Fundraising Events for Charity

The best charity event depends on your surrounding community. What are your friends and family most interested in? A location with good weather and outdoorsy people could enjoy a 5K run. However, a town famous for its craft beer scene may have successful trivia nights or cook-offs. Regardless, your selection should focus on raising money for a terrific cause. 

Beth Rush

Beth, the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind, is well-respected in the mental health, nutrition and fitness spaces. In her spare time, Beth enjoys cooking and going for runs with her dog.

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