Brainstorm Ideas and Do Your Research.
1. Brainstorm ideas of potential fundraisers. Think about who your audience might be—who you can get to attend the event and who will be able to pay. Think about what activity this audience will enjoy—such as a happy hour, trivia or poker night, benefit concert, etc.
2. Get support. Talk with relevant student group leaders about your ideas. Get at least one student group to sponsor your event. Also, tell your state and regional coordinators about your project. They may be able to help.
3. Create a planning committee with 2-3 members made up of YACers, members of the student group sponsoring your event, or other people in your community.
4. Consider costs. Get estimates on all costs involved. Be sure to know ALL COSTS including location, food, performers/speakers, expected time involved in planning, etc BEFORE you start to put any money down, sign off on anything, or advertise.
a. Food recommendations: Restaurants like Chipotle, Qdoba, or Ledo’s Pizza often offer free or
discounted food for student fundraisers.
b. Cut costs- Ask for discounts. Tell potential vendors how many attendees you are expecting,
and offer to include the vendor’s name on ads for the event.
5. Determine who will put up the initial costs for the event. Will your student group fund the event? Will you get local business sponsorships (ie- Gold Sponsors $500, Silver $250, Bronze $100) and put the business(es)’ name(s) on your flyer or their brochures by the entrance at your event?
6. Determine how you will make money. Entry fee, donations boxes, business sponsors, etc.
7. *Risk Assessment*- Very important! Consider the following:
a. How much money will your event cost, and where is the money coming from? What is the worst
case scenario for this event—how much money could you lose?
b. How much money would your event gain if it goes as planned?
c. What is most likely to occur, and how do you know? Be sure that your potential gain is higher
and much more likely than your potential losses. Just because you’ve already spent time doing
a bunch of research on an event idea doesn’t mean it’s too late to change it; if your event is
not going to make money, stop and adjust your plans.
8. Have a specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely goal. How much money do you want to make? How many participants do you want to have come? How much money do you want to raise from business sponsorships? Etc. Have a clear goal, so you will know when you are winning.
9. Develop an advertising/marketing plan. Facebook, flyers, chalk the sidewalks around campus (if you’re allowed to at your school), twitter, etc. Tell your friends about the event, and have them bring their friends. Be creative.
Carry out your plans. Make sure you have enough time to pull everything together and advertise well. Keep in contact with a state or regional coordinator or an NYCer, and keep them updated with regular phone calls or emails on your progress. This will be helpful in keeping on track and holding yourself accountable. Best of luck!