Being an event planner is a very rewarding job both from a social and professional standpoint.
Currently, the events industry in the UK is worth £42.3 billion, according to event technology platform Eventbrite, and experienced organisers can earn anywhere from £28,000- £80,000 per year. Aside from the attractive salaries, it can land you dozens of networking opportunities, which can open a lot of doors in the future.
Seeing your vision come to life is a satisfying experience in itself, but some events planners choose to enrich their life more by organising fundraisers as well.
Donating to a good cause is a huge part of British culture. In fact, 60% of Brits donated money in 2017 which amounted to £600 million. The causes that benefit the most are medical research, animal rights, and children in need.
Aside from the obvious goal of collecting financial support from generous donors, fundraising events also have several intangible yet equally important rewards.
Brand awareness
Organisers need to have marketing acumen for a fundraiser to be successful. Think of it as a business that you have to promote widely if you want to attract donors. Work for Mums previously suggested taking online marketing courses that will help you learn the basics of the trade. They will also provide valuable insight on recent trends and strategies that you can apply to your campaign.
The digital landscape, for instance, seems to be where marketing campaigns are most successful. British organisations are admittedly lacking in this arena as Charity Digital News reported that only 53% of UK charities use online tools. Online campaigns can help you improve brand visibility and engage public interest.
Team building and skill development
A huge fundraising event requires a lot of effort and coordination which is why it’s best to form a committee and sub-committees. While one group handles marketing, others take on logistics and operations, finance, documentation, and any other roles that might be relevant. It’s a good measure of how well the organisation works under pressure and an effective way of honing different skills.
Connecting with the community
Fundraisers are a good way to have face time with the organisation’s stakeholders. The Balance outlines that stakeholder groups include the employees, members of the organisation, volunteers, donors, local community, partner groups, and of course, the beneficiaries. It’s a chance for all these groups to interact and develop meaningful connections that can cause a positive change in the community.
Getting started
1. Set a goal. What do you want to achieve out of this fundraising event? Who are you raising the money for? How much do you want to raise? Take a moment to figure out the purpose and aim of the event, which will act as your guide moving forwards.
2. Set a budget. How big is the event going to be? Do you have the funds for it? Think about reaching out to other organisations that can help you out. Set a budget for every single detail (food, venue, entertainment, etc.), including a contingency plan.
3. Create a program. What kind of event are you hosting? A fun run or a black tie gala? Keep the attendees or participants interested by having a program flow. Hire a host and some entertainment.
4. Market. Pick your target audience and figure out how to promote your event to them. Remember, you need to find a convincing angle for people to attend the event and donate to the cause.
5. Risk assessment. Save the Children suggests conducting a risk assessment to ensure the security of the fundraiser. For instance, you will need to obtain the necessary permits for closing down roads for a public event. You are responsible for keeping all the stakeholders safe from any possible mishaps.
6. Set-up, execution, and sales. Make sure that all the volunteers are well-informed and understand their tasks. These include everything from the set-up to execution, sales or collecting donations during the event.
7. Gratitude. Lastly, don’t forget to express gratitude to all the donors, participants, and volunteers that attend/work at the event. A simple speech thanking everyone will go a long way.
Organising a charity event is no small feat. Hopefully, these tips help you with the planning and execution of your event.