Top Ten Fundraising Event Ideas Fundraising Event Idea #1 - Cooking Party Recipe* Food Ingredients Enough kitchen supplies to go around (i.e. mixing bowls, pots, pans, mixers, etc.) Kitchen and preparation area big enough for guests Activities to do if cooking time is involved Plates, Napkins, Utensils Optional Ingredients Theme** 2. Find a place to hold your party 3. Decide how you would like to collect money (see Ways to Collect Donations section) 4. Create a list of people to invite 5. Make and send out invitations (these can be hand made or online using Evite, or another online 6. Pick a recipe keep in mind the length of cooking time, amount of ingredients, difficulty 7. Gather ingredients*** 8. Collect RSVPs 9. As the RSVP date nears 1. Gather ingredients, kitchen supplies, and enough copies of the recipe for your guests 2. Decorate 3. Make sure you have a designated spot for donations and have someone staff the donation area 4. Make sure you are ready for your speech b. Request Donations 5. Circulate, talk to everyone and HAVE FUN!!! 6. Don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer! * When choosing your recipe remember to take into consideration certain special needs of your guests (i.e. food allergies, vegetarians, diabetes etc.) ** Theme ideas include: international night, make-your-own pizza night, decorating cookies, dessert night, fondue party, holiday, Going PINK for Breast Cancer, Green Eggs and Ham *** When gathering ingredients remember that you can get food or gift card donations to a grocery store. If a guest offers to bring something, take them up on it they wouldn t offer if they didn t want to!
Fundraising Event Idea #2 - Craft/Scrapbooking Party A craft to make* Materials for your craft Tables Chairs Snacks Beverages (if it s a pink party, make the beverages pink too!) 2. Choose a craft for you and your guests to do (see list at bottom for suggestions) 3. Go shopping for the craft materials** 4. Decide how you would like to collect money (see Ways to Collect Donations section) 5. Create a list of people to invite- make sure these people like the craft you choose 6. Make and send out invitations (these can be hand made or online using Evite, or another online 7. If you know someone who does the craft really well, ask if that person would like to be an instructor and provide helpful tips. 8. Collect RSVPs 9. As the RSVP date nears 1. Set up the craft area a. Make sure there are enough supplies at each table and have extras on hand b. Cover the floor if necessary. This will make clean-up easier! c. Have a trash bin by each station d. Put out some extra coupon books and Avon Walk materials for people to read 2. Decorate 3. Make sure you have a designated spot for donations and have someone staff the donation area. 4. Have snacks set out (maybe even at a separate table) 5. Make sure you are ready for your speech b. Request Donations 6. HAVE FUN and hopefully even make a craft item yourself!!! Don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer! * You can have a scrapbooking party or another craft party. For scrapbooking, people will need to bring their own pictures and books. Other craft ideas include: knitting, crocheting, ornaments, quilting, crossstitching, screen print t-shirts to sell, etc
Fundraising Event Idea #3 - Dinner Party 1 place to host (your house, club house, etc) 1 meal per guest* Plates Napkins Utensils Tables Chairs Beverages (if it s a pink party, make the beverages pink too!) 2. Find a place to hold your party 3. Decide how you would like to collect money (see Ways to Collect Donations section) 4. Create a list of people to invite 5. Make and send out invitations (these can be hand made or online using Evite, or another online 6. Start planning**: a. Menu (buffet or seated) b. Decorations- including an optional theme c. Activities (optional) d. A time to speak about your Walk 7. Collect RSVPs 8. As the RSVP date nears 1. Prepare or have the food delivered 2. Set up tables 3. Decorate 4. Make sure you have a designated spot for donations and have someone staff the donation area. 5. Set up plates, napkins, utensil, etc 6. Make sure you are ready for your speech b. Request donations 7. Circulate, talk to everyone and HAVE FUN!!! 8. Don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer! * Pick a meal that is not only delicious, but also inexpensive. Budget for the meal but also remember that you can get supplies or food donated, don t be afraid to ask. Meal ideas include: Spaghetti, lasagna, a cookout, pancakes, deli sandwiches, pizza, etc.
Fundraising Event Idea #4 - House Party Your house Snacks Beverages 1. Put together a list of all the people to invite to your party. Include close friends, acquaintances, co-workers and neighbors. a. You should even include people who you think probably wouldn t attend the invitation is a great way to let them know about your involvement and can serve as a good initial contact so that you can send a follow-up letter asking for a donation. 2. Set a date and time for your party and pick a deadline for the RSVP date 3. Make and send out invitations a. These can be handmade or online using Evite, or another online resource b. Make sure to remind people to bring their checkbook and be ready to make a donation to a great cause! 4. Collect RSVPs 5. As the RSVP date nears 1. Decorate early so you can relax 2. If possible, recruit an informed friend (someone comfortable with public speaking) to talk to your guests about what you are doing and why it is so important to support the fight against breast cancer. a. Have your friend ask your guests to make a generous contribution. This is the best part it is so nice to have someone else ask for the donations. b. She/he can be a bit more bold when making the request even going so far as to suggest that a particular amount would be a good place to start. 3. Make sure you give a speech and include the following: b. Your fundraising goal 4. Give everyone a donation coupon and a few minutes to sit quietly and make a donation. As they complete their donations, collect the forms and checks, thank your guests and invite them to continue enjoying good food and good company. Have one of your friends tally the donations and then announce the amount to your guests. They will be thrilled to be part of the effort and the celebration! 5. HAVE FUN and don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer!
Fundraising Event Idea #5 - Merchandise Party 1 person who sells the merchandise and is willing to work with you A place to hold your event (your house usually is appropriate) A guest list of people who are interested in your merchandise Snacks Beverages 1. Decide what kind of merchandise to sell* 2. Find a person who sells that merchandise and is willing to give you the proceeds to help in the fight against breast cancer. 3. Set a date and time for your party and pick a deadline for the RSVP date 4. Make and send out invitations a. These can be handmade or online using Evite, or another online resource b. Make sure to remind people to bring their checkbook and be ready to buy something for a great cause! 5. Collect RSVPs 6. As the RSVP date nears 1. Decorate 2. Make and put out a donation bucket for those who may not buy anything or who want to donate more. 3. Make sure you give a speech at the beginning b. Your fundraising goal 4. HAVE FUN and don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer! * Merchandise to sell could include: Tupperware, purses, jewelry, makeup, Pampered Chef, Pure Romance, etc.
Fundraising Event Idea #6 - Movie Party A movie A place to watch the movie* People who would be interested in watching the movie (your guest list) Popcorn, Beverages and other movie type snacks 1. Decide what movie to watch- pick a movie appropriate for the audience a. Girls night b. Family night c. Date Night d. etc 2. Pick a location for the movie night- take into consideration: a. How many people are coming b. What size the screen will you need c. Will you be able to provide seating? Or should you ask people to bring folding chairs? 3. Decide how you would like to collect money (see Ways to Collect Donations section) 4. Set a date and time for your party and pick a deadline for the RSVP date 5. Make and send out invitations a. These can be hand made or online using Evite, or another online resource b. Make sure to remind people to bring their checkbook and be ready to make a donation to a great cause! 6. Collect RSVPs 7. As the RSVP date nears 1. Decorate a. Set up seats, if necessary b. Put up any theme decorations to make the room/space feel like a theater. 2. Make sure that the movie works 3. Prepare snacks 4. Make sure you can prepare your popcorn (i.e.- is there a microwave, stove, a popcorn-making machine, etc ) 5. Don t forget to introduce the movie, yourself and the cause: a. Why you are Walking and your Fundraising goal b. Don t forget to mention MATCHING GIFTS c. Leave time for questions d. Show the Avon DVD before your movie as a preview (optional) 6. Sit back, Relax and Enjoy the Show! Don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer! * This can be your living room, your community clubhouse, or even your backyard- with a projector and screen.
Fundraising Event Idea #7 - Hosting a Raffle Your house Raffle Tickets Raffle Prizes Donation bucket Tables to display the prizes Table Cloths (optional) Jars to place in front of the prizes (if you let people choose where to put their tickets) An Emcee to call out the prizes A speaker system- if your emcee has a soft voice Snacks & Beverages 1. Collect prizes to raffle off a. Bring your Walker verification letter and ask for donations b. Ask for a gift card. You can raffle it off or use it to buy gifts c. If you have time: keep your eye on the sale rack all year long for good buys. 2. Decide how the raffle will work: a. Put all raffle tickets in a pot and pull them out for each prize b. Put jars out in front of each raffle item (or a group of items) and have people place their tickets in the appropriate jars of what they want to win 3. Put together a list of all the people to invite to your party. Include close friends, acquaintances, co-workers and neighbors. a. You should even include people who you think probably wouldn t attend the invitation is a great way to let them know about your involvement and can serve as a good initial contact so that you can send a follow-up letter asking for a donation. 4. Set a date and time for your party and pick a deadline for the RSVP date 5. Make and send out invitations a. These can be handmade or online using Evite, or another online resource b. List any big ticket items on your invitation to draw people in c. Put the raffle ticket price on your invitations 6. Collect RSVPs 7. As the RSVP date nears 1. Set out raffle items and decorate early so you can relax 2. Have a person stationed at the door and make sure they have extra raffle tickets to sell. 3. Set out a donation bucket for those who may not buy many tickets or who just want to give more. 4. Have a posted order of events so that people know when the drawing will begin. 5. Make sure you give a speech at the beginning and your fundraising goal b. Don t forget to mention MATCHING GIFTS c. Leave time for questions 6. HAVE FUN, circulate and chat with people. Don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer!
Fundraising Event Idea #8 - Trivia Night Chairs Snacks Beverages At least 3 rounds of questions Paper and Pens/Pencil for answers Prizes** A way to display your questions- white board, TV, projector, etc Optional Ingredients: Themes for each round Tables Costume suggestions for guests 2. Pick out questions for your Trivia 3. Find someone to be the trivia MC (this can be you) 4. Figure out how you are going to display your questions and prepare as necessary 5. Decide how you would like to collect money (see Ways to Collect Donations section) 6. Create a list of people to invite 7. Make and send out invitations (these can be hand made or online using Evite, or another online 8. Pick a time to speak about your Walk 9. Collect RSVPs 10. As the RSVP date nears 1. Prepare or have the food delivered 2. Decorate and set up tables/chairs. 3. Make sure you have a designated spot for donations and have someone staff the donation area. 4. Set up plates, napkins, utensil, etc 5. Make sure you are ready for your speech a. Why you are Walking and your Fundraising goal b. Don t forget to mention MATCHING GIFTS c. Leave time for questions d. Request Donations 6. Circulate, talk to everyone and HAVE FUN!!! 7. Don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer!
Fundraising Event Idea #9 - Hosting a Tournament *Important reminder about creative fundraising efforts! Some states have restrictions regarding certain fundraising efforts. Please check with your local authorities to ensure you are in compliance with the regulations in your area. For example, participants cannot fundraise in Massachusetts by holding raffles or poker tournaments. Place to host (your house, club house, etc) Snacks, Beverages Materials for your game* 2. Find a place to hold your party 3. Decide how you would like to collect money (see Ways to Collect Donations section) 4. Make and send out invitations (these can be handmade or online using Evite, or another online 5. Make posters or handouts with tournament rules 6. Create teams OR decide to do individual participation a. This will depend of the game and if it requires multi-person teams b. Also note that people can form their own teams or you can draw out of a hat 7. Create a bracket (if appropriate) and decide on elimination process: Single or double elimination and perhaps a loser s bracket. 8. Decide if you need to play with a time limit for each game so that everyone has the same chance and to keep things running on a schedule. 9. Decide on any House rules 10. Collect RSVPs 11. As the RSVP date nears 1. Prepare the snacks 2. Set up tournament area early so you can relax 3. Decorate 4. Make sure you have a designated spot for donations and have someone staff the donation area. 5. Pass out rules at the beginning of the game AND have rules posted somewhere in the space so that they can be referenced easily if necessary. 6. Make sure you are ready for your speech b. Request Donations 7. HAVE FUN and don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer! * Game ideas include: Board games, poker (see note above), sport of your choice, corn hole or other outdoor games.
Fundraising Event Idea #10 - Wine Tasting Party Wine* Information on each wine** Snacks to go with wine cheese, crackers, nuts, chocolate, etc Wine glasses Colored rings for the glasses (optional for identification purposes) Plates Napkins Utensils Seating or Cocktail area 2. Find a place to host your party 3. Decide how you would like to collect money (see Ways to Collect Donations section) 4. Create a list of people to invite 5. Make and send out invitations (these can be handmade or online using Evite, or another online 6. Start planning: a. Menu (what wines to have) b. Decorations- including an optional theme c. Activities, including a guest speaker on wine** (optional) 7. A time to speak about your Walk 8. Collect RSVPs 9. As the RSVP date nears 1. Set out the wine 2. Set up cocktail area 3. Decorate 4. Make sure you have a designated spot for donations and have someone staff the donation area. 5. Make sure you are ready for your speech b. Request Donations 6. Circulate, talk to everyone and HAVE FUN!!! 7. Don t stress when the unexpected happens. Something will inevitably go wrong but remember that it is all for great cause and YOU are helping in the fight against breast cancer! * You may be able to get wine donated by local restaurants, Total Wine, or your grocery store. You can always ask for a gift card donation and use that card to buy your wine. ** Ask your local wine company if they have someone who can come speak about different wine.