If you are looking for a new and exciting way to market your business and generate some interest in the local community this summer, a great option could be to host a charity event and raise money for a cause you really care about. 

As a professional business, you are in a unique position to be able to raise money and create a stunning event for those in your local community, and it will be a great method for generating a loyal audience as well as sales for your brand. Today we are going to run through the things you need to do to help organize an amazing charity event in your community this year. 

Define Your Cause

When organizing an event like this, you need to be aware that this is just like any other business venture you may initiate. This means that you need to consider what the aim is for the day and also outline which cause, or causes, you want to support.

Make sure when choosing a charity to support that it is close to your heart and that it means something to you and your business. It will make things much easier when promoting your event if you can promote something you care about. Take a look at some of the charity options out there and find one which you feel passionate about helping. 

Set a Goal

During a charity event, fundraising is one of the most crucial aspects of all. If you want to create a successful event which can be advertised by your business and the charity in question, you should set a goal of how much money you want to raise and then come up with ways to reach this goal. Having a final figure in mind will make it so much easier for you to choose events and activities that will streamline your efforts in marketing. 

Create a Budget

The budget for your event is another important step to hosting a successful fundraiser, and you will want to set a strict budget for yourself which covers rentals, activities, refreshments, and any freebies you give away. The good thing about a charity event is that people will likely want to get involved once they hear of it and this might reduce your costs by a decent sum. Make sure to think about ways to save money on everything you can so that the focus can really be on the charity on the day. 

Have a Target Audience 

Like any other marketing campaign for a product or an event, it is important for you to have a target audience in mind when you organize your event. Depending on the charity you choose, it will appeal to different people for different reasons.

For example, if you were to choose a children’s charity, this will impact parents and they are likely to be the ones who come and take part in the event. If you were to choose a dog shelter, those who are pet owners would want to get involved. Be sure that you know your target audience and make the most of them. 

Find a Venue

Often the best venue for a charity event or fair is the local park in your town or village. Renting the space at a park for the day won’t cost much at all and it will attract people who are walking around and going about their daily business. Take a look at the options you have for venues and make sure to choose one which fits the style of the event and the theme you want to emit. 

Establish a Theme

Speaking of a theme, the charity event you host can have a number of different themes depending on its focus. We are going to have a look at 2 quick examples:

Children’s Charity – If you are supporting a children’s charity, the best theme you can come up with for an event has to be an old school fair or carnival. Having bouncy castles, Ferris wheels, hook and duck and other classic activities is a great way to attract families to the event and make a fun day of it. You can also hold a superhero costume contest which can allow kids to dress up as their favorite heroes and show off their style to the world. Winners can receive prizes and it can be a great choice for a winning event. 

Animal Charity – If you are supporting an animal charity such as the RSPCA or PDSA, a great idea would be to host a fun dog show with entries such as:

  • Pet and owner look-alikes
  • Ugliest dog 
  • Hairiest ears

It’s a fun way to involve owners from the neighborhood and have some fun. You can also offer free grooming and quick training sessions, and ask the charity to bring some animals with them who are in need of a loving home. 

Get to Marketing 

Finally, establish a marketing campaign for the event with facebook groups, shop windows, vivid ads promotional signs and more. Attract as many people to your event as you can and you should be able to have a hoot of a time!