Memorializing someone is a lovely and lasting step you can take. Individuals do this all the time for family members and friends, but sometimes it’s about paying respect to a person who has made a lasting impact on a community, business, industry, etc. In this case, getting the public involved may be necessary through a fundraising event to ensure that the memorial can be as big and impactful as hoped.
If you’re planning a memorial fundraising event, here are some tips that will help with the process and ensure your goal is successful.
What Are Your Goals?
The first step before you can even start fundraising is to determine your goals. This will be the main messaging of the fundraising campaign, so you want to keep it simple and direct. State that it is a memorial, use the individual’s name, and refer to the difference they made in the community, industry or business if relevant.
Be Specific in How Funds Will Be Used
You’ll also need to be specific about how the funds raised will be used. Sure, they are to build a memorial, but what kind of memorial? Maybe you’re in the early stages of memorial garden planning. If so, ensure your vision is complete and that you’ve thought about the best ways to memorialize the individual, such as engraved items like a memorial brick.
Potential donors want to know exactly how their money will be used, and what the results will look like. It will help to build interest and hype surrounding your fundraising event.
Understand That Not All Types of Events are Ideal
When it comes to the actual event that will be responsible for fundraising, note that not every idea will work. Because this is a memorial, you want to be respectful in the activity or event you choose. It should also appeal to the type of people who will most likely act as donors.
Reaching Donors Should Be Multi-Pronged
And speaking of donors, you want to be sure you give them a variety of ways to donate. It’s important to branch out and target them in different ways. Maybe you’re hosting a charity meal, dance, silent auction and so forth. Donations will roll in from those events, but what about those who can’t attend in person but are still interested in donating?
You want to be sure that no one is left out when it comes to methods and means of donating. Many fundraising event coordinators have incorporated virtual options with success, and this could act as a wonderful complement to your event.
Make Sure You Have a Realistic Budget
Finally, as a fundraising event coordinator, you need to have a strict budget that is adhered to at all times. It’s best to begin with a detailed budget during the initial planning stages, and then track all expenses moving forward. If possible, you may want to look into getting sponsors—something non-profit organizations do regularly—to help cover the costs of the event.
Using all of these tips will ensure that your memorial fundraiser event meets all its goals.
