Run Your Own Fundraising Event

1. Don't go it alone

Gather a group of friends or colleagues who can form the basis of an organising committee.
 

2. Decide What you Want to Do

Look at our Fundraising Ideas and decide what would appeal most to the people you and the committee know. If your buddies are out in the hills every weekend, maybe a sponsored climb would be more appealing than an expensive black-tie benefit.  

3. Set a Budget and Goals

Draw up a budget and goals for the event, including gross and net income, number of tickets to be sold, number of raffle prizes to be obtained, etc. Think about how you will deal with deposits and up front costs if you will not receive revenue until later - perhaps you could have an 'early-bird' ticket price to encourage people to buy early, or perhaps you need a sponsor.
 
Decide how many people you aim to attend and how much you can sell tickets for (or how much you'll expect them to raise). Are there other ways you can raise income, eg. by adding a raffle or auction, or by asking companies or friends to provide cash sponsorship? Then list all the expenses you can think of; rental of a location, invitation/ticket printing, food and drink (including corkage), insurance, flowers, band/disco, transport, etc.
 

4. Contact Special Olympics Ireland

Contact Special Olympics Ireland to obtain an Event Authorisation Form.
 

5. Draw up a Plan of Action

Draw up a plan of action with action items, a deadline for each action, and a person assigned to each action.

Action
By Date
Responsibility
Book venue and entertainment
June 3
Jane
Approach five restaurants for gift certs for raffle
June 10
Mary and Paul
Organise design and printing of invites
May 18
Siobhan
Send press release to local paper/radio station
June 20
Peter

 

6. Anticipate the Worst

Think about what could go wrong and have contingency plans
 

7. During the event

Will you need volunteers from the committee to take tickets, sell raffle tickets, make a speech etc? Will you need people to help clean up?
 

8. After the event

How are you going to look after the money you raise and get it to Special Olympics Ireland? (Cheque or bank draft, Safe/Cash Box, Bank Account?)
 
Don't forget to thank everyone who helped. A phone call is nice, a personal note even better.