How to Start a Fundraising Event: Easy Steps to Get Noticed and Raise More

Ever tried to organize a fundraiser and had no clue where to even begin? You’re definitely not alone. The first thing you should do—before printing flyers or booking a venue—is to get super clear about your fundraising purpose. What’s your cause, exactly? Are you helping a local animal shelter? Raising money for medical bills? Supporting a youth program? If you don’t know specifically what you’re asking for, it’s almost impossible to get people excited enough to help or give. Concrete goals always pull in more support because donors want to know exactly where their money’s going.

Set a target amount. Be real about what you need and how you’ll get there. Picking a random number won’t cut it. For example, maybe you need $5,000 to buy new computers for the community center. Write that down, break it out by what each item costs, and be able to show people the numbers. It creates trust and makes it easier to rally support. You can even share little tidbits like, “Every $50 covers a new chair for the center”—it makes giving feel personal and doable.

• What’s Your Fundraising Purpose?
• Choosing Your Event Type
• Building the Right Team
• Budgeting and Setting a Goal
• Getting the Word Out
• Day-of Details and Follow-Up

What’s Your Fundraising Purpose?

This is the absolute foundation for everything that comes next. Before you start calling up volunteers or dreaming up party themes, nail down exactly what your fundraising event is trying to accomplish. Being wishy-washy here will make the whole thing fall flat.

Start by answering a few direct questions:

• Who or what are you raising money for?
• How will the money actually be used?
• Is there a specific problem you’re addressing?
• Why now?

When you can answer these in plain language, you’re ready to talk to people about your cause. Make it personal—share a quick story or example. If you’re fundraising for a new library roof, say how the leaky roof has forced kids’ reading programs to shut down.

People love numbers when deciding if they’ll give. Try laying out exactly how much you need and what that money will do. Here’s a quick visual example for a youth arts program:

That table makes it real and simple for supporters: they see exactly where their money goes and that you’ve done your homework. It’s the kind of transparency that builds trust. According to Giving USA 2024, nonprofits that explained their financial needs clearly raised on average 23% more per campaign.

Don’t skip this step, even if you feel like people already "get" your cause. Clarity is your best friend when you want others to care and pitch in.

Choosing Your Event Type

This is where things start to get fun. The kind of fundraising event you go for can make or break how much attention you grab, and, honestly, how much money you raise. Not every event fits every cause or audience, so choosing the right style is key. The fundraising event that works for a local theater group might flop for a medical fundraiser, and vice versa.

Here are a few tried-and-true options to get your brain going:

• Charity Walks or Runs: Super popular for health causes, especially in the U.S. According to Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Thirty, walk/run events raised over $268 million in 2023.
• Auctions: These give people a reason to show up and spend. Silent auctions or even online auctions can bring in big numbers with the right prizes.
• Dinners or Galas: Fancy isn’t always necessary, but sit-down events with speakers or performances work well for big donors or more formal crowds.
• Online Campaigns: Since 2020, a lot of donations have shifted online. Virtual trivia or game nights, crowdfunding, or livestreams can pull in support without any in-person logistics.
• Simple Sales: Think bake sales, yard sales, or merch. They’re easy to put together fast, and people love showing support by buying everyday things for a good cause.

Prefer a data-driven approach? Here’s a quick comparison of how different event types stacked up last year in terms of median funds raised, according to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project:

A couple of things to think through before making your pick:

• Who’s your target audience—students, families, business leaders, or older folks?
• What resources do you already have? Volunteers, space, connections, or tech skills can play a big part.
• Time matters. If you’re in a rush, stick to simple ideas. If you’ve got months, go bigger.

Mix and match if you want. No one says you can’t do an online auction with a live music night. Just keep the focus on your cause, and make sure people have a clear, easy way to give. The goal: choose the event type that gets your community actually excited to join in.

Building the Right Team

No one pulls off a successful fundraising event alone. You need a crew—people you can count on. But who should you ask? You want a mix of passion and practical skills. Look for folks who get the mission and won’t flake when things get hectic.

Here’s how most fundraisers build their teams:

• Event Lead: The go-to person for all decisions. Keeps everyone on track and solves problems fast.
• Volunteer Coordinator: Handles all the helpers, makes schedules, and keeps spirits high.
• Marketing Guru: Manages flyers, social media, emails, and gets the word out.
• Finance Tracker: Sets up the budget, tracks expenses, and counts what comes in.
• Logistics Pro: Deals with locations, supplies, food, and everything else that makes the day run smooth.

Make it official by writing out roles—don’t just guess or hope someone picks up the slack. Studies from the National Council of Nonprofits found that teams with clear job lists and regular check-ins deliver better results and keep volunteers coming back.

The magic happens when everyone knows what they’re supposed to do. The fundraising event itself will run a lot smoother, you’ll waste less time, and if an emergency pops up, you won’t be scrambling.

Don’t forget—people show up for causes but they stay for the teamwork. Offer snacks at meetings, give shout-outs to top helpers, and use group chats to check in. Even a little appreciation goes a long way toward building a team that’ll stick around, not just for this event, but the next one too.

Budgeting and Setting a Goal

If there’s one thing folks forget when planning a fundraising event, it’s sitting down with a calculator before daydreaming about decorations or food. A solid budget is what keeps you from digging into your own pockets or coming up short on event day. Start by making a detailed list of every cost you can think of. We’re talking venue rental, permits, food, drinks, marketing (like flyers or social media ads), supplies, insurance—literally everything down to napkins. The more specific you get, the fewer surprises you'll have later.

Pull up example budgets from trusted sources like Classy.org or Eventbrite—they share real breakdowns from successful fundraisers. You’ll see that events in the U.S. often spend 40–60% of what they bring in, but really good planners keep costs much lower. It helps a ton to ask for donations from local businesses—free food or venue space has saved plenty of fundraisers’ bacon.

• Price out each item so you know exactly what you need.
• Get quotes from vendors before you commit.
• If possible, give yourself a 10% wiggle room for things you forgot.
• Write down where the money’s coming from—ticket sales, donations, sponsors, silent auctions, raffles, you name it.

Now, about setting your actual goal—don’t just pick a number because it looks nice. If your costs add up to $2,000 and you want to raise another $3,000 for your cause, aim to raise at least $5,000. And don’t fudge those numbers. People can spot unrealistic goals pretty quickly.

Also, break your big target down into smaller chunks. If you need 100 people to give $50 each, that’s way more approachable than just throwing out “We need $5,000.” Sharing these bite-sized numbers helps your supporters see how they fit in the bigger picture.

One more tip: always track what you’re spending as you go (apps like Google Sheets or Trello work great), so you don’t hit any surprises. And if you end up with extra cash, be upfront about what happens next—transparency always builds trust for the next time you want to raise funds.

Getting the Word Out

If nobody knows you’re hosting a fundraiser, you’re not going to raise much. Getting the word out is where lots of folks get stuck. The key? Team up fundraising event basics with some targeted outreach. Don't just throw up a Facebook post and cross your fingers. You need a real plan—you want people to show up, talk about it, and actually open their wallets, right?

First, pick your channels. Social media works but don’t overlook local press, email lists, or even a simple phone tree if your crowd isn’t glued to their phones. Here’s what tends to grab attention:

• Social Media: Regular posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter work wonders. Use sharp images, short videos, and don’t forget to create an event page for easy RSVPs and updates.
• Press Releases: Local newspapers and radio stations love a good story, especially if your event has a unique spin or impacts the community. Send a press release at least two weeks in advance.
• Email Invitations: Build a mailing list. Email is still one of the highest-return ways to get supporters to act—about 28% of all online donations come from email campaigns, according to the Blackbaud Institute’s 2023 report.
• Flyers and Posters: Old-school, but effective if you put them in local shops, schools, and busy public spots. Just keep them clear and eye-catching.
• Word of Mouth: Ask your team and supporters to invite people directly. It’s awkward for some, but still works best for personal connections.

Now, make your message compelling. Always share the "why" behind the fundraiser. People give to stories, not just events. A quick personal story, maybe how last year's money funded a special project (pictures help!), goes way further than dry details.

Track what’s working and tweak as you go. The table below shows which methods pull in the most attendees or donors, based on data from the Nonprofit Marketing Guide’s 2024 survey:

Don’t overload yourself trying to do everything. Pick two or three main ways to spread the word and do those really well. And remember: reminders matter. Send follow-up emails and post updates leading up to the event—it keeps you on people’s radar. Consistency almost always beats the occasional blast.

Day-of Details and Follow-Up

So, the big day is here. This is when all your planning pays off—or falls apart if you miss the basics. Make a simple timeline for the day. Who’s setting up tables? Who’s handling sign-in? You should know exactly who’s in charge of what, even the small stuff like refilling snack bowls or running tech for a presentation. People forget: the smoother things run, the more money you raise and the better your group looks for future events.

One thing lots of people overlook is easy payment options. Set up mobile payments like Venmo or PayPal—guess what? At least 60% of donors under 40 say they prefer to give by phone. Don’t leave cash-only people hanging either, but digital payments should be simple and obvious. Put up clear signs and have a volunteer ready to help with any tech hiccups.

If you’re running a raffle or silent auction, announce winners toward the end to keep people engaged. Have a speaker share a quick story or impact stat. Give guests clear ways to stay in touch: a feedback postcard, sign-up sheet, or QR code to your website. The best events make people feel like they’re part of something special—and want to come back next year.

• Stick to the timeline you created. Avoid dead air—it makes people drift.
• Keep donation stations visible and staffed at all times.
• Take lots of photos for social media and next year’s promo materials.
• If you have sponsors, thank them on stage or signs—public appreciation matters.

Now, don’t slack off after the event. Following up is where a lot of folks drop the ball, but it’s when you turn a “one-time giver” into a repeat supporter. Here’s what you need to tackle within 48 hours:

1. Send thank you notes or emails to everyone who donated or attended. Personalized messages make a huge difference.
2. Share the results. Don’t just say “thanks”—show how much you raised and what the funds will do, like "We hit 87% of our fundraising event goal, so 30 families will get new school supplies."
3. Post photos, tag participants, and give a shoutout to volunteers and sponsors on social channels.
4. Ask for feedback—include a super short survey link in your thank you message. A study from Nonprofit Tech for Good found that 44% of donors are more likely to give again if they’re asked for input.

*Source: Donorbox, 2024

If you make people feel valued and show results, you’re not just running another event—you’re building a community who wants to help you fundraise again and again.