Organizing a Successful Fundraiser
Make friends with media....it's the first thing to do if you are an event planner.
As an event planner, I always made sure I knew who was waking up my community via TV or radio.
More than any other person in media, on air morning personalities commonly divulge personal information everyday. Morning personalities share their personal experiences and opinions during their early morning chatter. It is part of what they call "show prep".
So, you are an event planner for an animal rescue agency and you heard that a media personality is an animal lover. Your first phone call should be to that animal loving media personality. Ask the personality if he/she would host/emcee the event or maybe he/she would be willing to serve as the auctioneer for your silent auction.
That DJ or TV personality will be flattered that you listen to his show and that you listen well. He may even be in a position to secure donated in kind items from his company for your event. Ask.
It is customary to pay celebrities a small stipend for time and travel, however, in my experience, the media personality was honored to help an organization they believe in and he will decline any offers of money. The celebrity's boss will be pleased that his employee and his company will be featured in the promotion and publicity of your event, and for business owners, there is nothing sweeter than free publicity.
Once you have a celebrity voice, you now must contact local business owners for support and donations.
Retailers know that consumers have many choices when it comes to shopping. They are always looking for unique and affordable ways to create Top of Mind Awareness (TOMA) for their company. You can help business owners create TOMA by permitting them to be a part of a great event for a good cause.
Let's say you are trying to organize a fundraising event for a dog rescue agency-and a DJ has agreed to host the event and talk it up on the air. Now you should feel more confident because you have the support of a high profile individual and it should be easier for you to contact pet supply stores; pet kennels; veterinarians and animal hospitals and other animal/pet related businesses, to ask for donations and sponsorships. Remember, there is nothing sweeter than free publicity.
Go for the whole enchilada! Ask retailers to underwrite the entire "media table" expense. Or ask them to offer a discount coupon on the back of the event tickets.
Be creative-Be Brave!
