3 Fundraising Event Ideas Your Organization Should Try

While your organization raises significant funds from ticket sales, membership dues, and other auxiliary revenue streams, it likely isn’t enough to power your mission long-term. Fundraising events are a great addition to your fundraising portfolio, bringing in the extra dollars you need while also engaging your community.

This guide will review three fundraising event ideas that can help your cultural organization connect with the community, broaden your donor base, and achieve your fundraising goals.

1. Sports Tournament

Sports tournaments appeal to many different audiences because they’re centered around an activity people enjoy. Tournaments keep people active and can involve all ages, including kids and families. And fortunately for your organization, there are numerous ways to host a sports fundraising event. Here are a few things to consider to get you started:

• Pick a sport your audience is likely to enjoy. Are your supporters into basketball or softball? Volleyball or golf? Poll your supporters to see where their interests lie and use the demographic information you have about them. For instance, if you have an older supporter base, basketball probably isn’t the best choice, but a lower-impact sport like golf is a popular option.
• Brainstorm how to make your event appealing to a broad audience. Once you’ve chosen a sport, think through options about how you can best widen your reach and the event’s appeal. Let’s say you’re hosting a golf tournament. GolfStatus recommends including different divisions or flights for varying skill levels, like a beginner’s flight and a competitive flight. A scramble format is another way to involve all levels of golfers. You might even consider a mini golf or putt putt event if you’re looking to target families with kids.
• Build revenue enhancers into your tournament. Tournaments come with opportunities to raise additional funds beyond registration fees and sponsorships. Continuing with the golf tournament example, revenue enhancers might include on-course games or challenges, a raffle, a hole-in-one contest, or an auction. The benefit of these tournament add-ons is not only more revenue, but more fun and excitement and a better overall experience for participants.

These high-level considerations will help you choose a sport to focus on. As you dive into the nitty-gritty of planning, you’ll need to determine where to host the tournament, build sponsorship packages and pitch to businesses, and determine details like auction items, raffle prizes, and prizes for the tournament winners. 

2. Exclusive Access Experience

This fundraising idea gives attendees a unique look at your facility after the doors close for the day and other guests have gone home. This works well for various types of cultural organizations, such as children’s museums, zoos, and art centers, and gives folks exclusive access to the site after hours. Raise money by selling tickets to participate, selling sponsorships, and offering add-ons like branded merchandise and food and beverages. Here are a few ideas you might consider incorporating into the experience:

• Behind-the-scenes tours. Let guests see how the facility, its animals (if applicable), and staff are taken care of. Allow access to places not normally available to guests during regular business hours to provide a feeling of exclusivity. 

• Include engaging activities. Special art projects, cooking demonstrations, cocktail or mocktail-making classes, a special movie, or other activities tailored to your facility make the experience more memorable.
• Overnight add-on experience. Kids and adults will love the idea of sleeping in their favorite spaces and enjoying all the activities and attractions without the normal crowds. You could raise extra money by selling branded blankets and pajamas, along with snacks and drinks. Be sure you have adequate staffing or adult participants to keep any children safe and supervised.

3. Themed Gala

This tried-and-true fundraising event is a classic for a reason—it’s an opportunity to make show-stopping fundraising appeals. It’s important to note that galas typically come with a higher price point, so before you embark on planning, be sure your donor base has the interest and financial resources to support such an event.

Get creative with a theme that connects attendees to your cultural organization’s mission. Here are a few organization-specific ideas to spark your brainstorming:

• Aquarium: Night Under the Sea. If space allows, you might hold the event in your facility so guests can dine next to aquarium tanks and get a firsthand look at what they’re supporting. If your gala is held off-site, use ocean-themed decorations to add to the ambiance and include special appearances by aquarium animals (if feasible).

• Zoo: Safari Soiree. If your zoo includes event space, consider holding the gala on-site so you can offer VIP experiences with animals and tours of the facilities. If not, include safari decorations and, if appropriate, animal appearances at the gala.

• Science Museum: Scientific Shindig. Whether your gala is held on or offsite, invite participants to take part in interactive demonstrations and experiments. If you’re raising funds for a specific display, include activities or decorations that explain the exhibit’s components.
• History Museum: A Trip Through Time. Serve elevated cuisine from different time periods, host a historical clothing contest and offer prizes for different eras, or auction off interesting historical relics related to specific time spans.
• Art Center: Masterpiece Ball. Include live painting or sculpture demonstrations, silent or live auctions of art auctions, or performances from professional artists and musicians.

You might consider giving longtime members perks to attend by offering them reduced ticket costs or offering a “buy one, get one” deal. Another idea is to include a membership special during the event where attendees can purchase an annual membership for themselves or as a gift at a reduced price. No matter what theme you choose, reach out to local businesses to sponsor the event and raise more money.

Wrapping Up

No matter what fundraising event idea or ideas your organization chooses, you can use technology to streamline event operations. Use an event management platform to accept registrations, onboard sponsors, and stay organized throughout planning and execution. Your museum management software should also be able to track data from these special events. Finally, you can drive additional revenue by encouraging attendees to explore whether their employer offers matching gifts and tracking this information.