5 Fresh Ideas For Your Next Charity Event

When it comes to charity events are you doing the same old thing as everyone else?

In this day and age, we find that the charities are hitting up the same people over and over to donate to causes. In our midsized community we need to look for something new and refreshing to keep the donors looking to our client organizations year after year.

Here are 5 fresh ideas for your next charity events:

1. Get rid of the Live auction:

Beyond having to beg for those items that are worthy of high dollar bids, your bidders have the opportunity and funds to purchase these items on their own. So why continue with the painful asking, gathers and bidding for a live auction. Change it up! Try a 50/50 auction instead. One chance for one price, pair this with the one of the other items below and your event will be the hit of the town!

2. Choose a common household product to create a fashion show:

Here in our community, one of the best fundraisers in town is the Bubble Ball. A fashion show where the fashion is made of Bubble Wrap. Local artist and celebrities are asked to create their fashions sticking with the theme of the show. Music is set to the parade of unbelievable, unique and outrageous fashions with the main component being Bubble Wrap. Other items that would lend themselves to fashion shows might be duct tape, rubber bands, and recycled plastic.

3. Create a game show fund raiser:

A client came to us to change their yearly gala to something else. After many hours of brainstorming, we changed their event to a game show gala. With a Family Feud atmosphere and the right family members, we have taken this event and quadrupled the money collected. Not only has this event become a great yearly event that raises 4x the amount it used to, but the attendance has risen as well! Everyone is excited to see the ‘families’ play and the show is short and sweet. No long lectures, no long auctions and it is easy for attendees to give.

4. Scavenger hunt – pay to play:

Connect with local artists for the donating of a painting. Offer tickets for clues of where the artwork is hidden in the city. Create small teams or pairs to scour the city, collecting queues and ultimately finding the artwork! Make sure you have a camera set up to capture the expressions of the winners.

5. Race around the City:

In the spirit of The Amazing Race, have teams pair off and run thru the community going into different businesses for an activity. Make money by charging an entrance fee and by gathering pledges that each team gathers (like the old fashion walk-a-thons). Make sure you reward the teams at the end with a party and winner recognition!

Use these ideas to change up your charity event this season. The donors already know it’s a good cause – but it’s up to you to plan the spectacular party!