Like any event, a successful fundraiser needs sound planning. Make sure that you allow yourself enough
time to get everything ready for the event without too much stress.
At least 6 weeks in advance
Get together with your friends and neighbors and decide what event or events you’d like to do for your
fundraiser. At this first meeting, you may want to set goals and key dates, make a task list, estimate
a project budget, designate a leader and assign responsibilities.
4 weeks in advance
Check in with your fundraising crew. Secure a location for the event. Contact your local media outlets
— newspaper, radio station, and cable channel. Post flyers around town. Order
T-shirts to be printed or make your own with iron-on graphics
to wear (or sell) during the event.
1 week in advance
Double-check with people outside your core team to see if everyone is still available to participate
and contribute.
Day before the event
Run through the next day’s schedule with your group and tie up any loose ends. Make sure you have plenty
of pens, pencils, markers and donation slips, as well as a donations jar. Get a good night’s rest!
Week after event
Make sure to thank your sponsors and everyone who has contributed to your fundraising campaign, be it
volunteering time, services or donating things (if you’ve conducted an auction or a garage sale, for
example). In your thank-you letter, share your fundraising results, photos from the event and any relevant
information related to your cause. You can ask people for their mailing address when they make a donation.
