Guide to fundraising – hosting an event

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Inspired Adventures

The dawn of a new year is a perfect time for planning your fundraising for the year ahead. This month we thought we’d take a look at the 2012 calendar for dates throughout the year that would be ideal for planning your next event around. We also share some key tips and advice on how to put on the perfect event – stress free!

If you have already begun your Inspired journey, now is a great time to revisit your fundraising plan, reflecting on your success to date and looking to your next milestone. If you are still pondering the perfect adventure and you’re exploring options for fundraising, an event is a fantastic tool to consider, particularly if you intend on fundraising your travel costs. Not only is an event a successful way to bring in funds for your adventure, but it is also a great way to give positive exposure to the charity.

We recommend holding one key event over the course of your fundraising rather than lots of little events. It is a better way to engage your supporters and is much more effort-efficient! As with any fundraising venture, the recipe to success for any event is keeping costs down, profits up and getting as many people along as possible. Make sure you pre-sell your tickets and give people who can’t attend an alternative way to support your cause. Keep it simple, avoid taking risks and delegate, delegate, delegate.

Holding an event does not need to be stressful. The key is thorough planning and sharing out the work. Most importantly, make sure you have fun!

Take a look at the calendar below for some significant dates to consider over the next 12 months. Perhaps you could host an Olympics party, plan a mid-winter Christmas function or welcome the first day on spring in style with a summer-themed beach bash. The options are endless.

Inspired Adventures are the fundraising experts, and we look forward to helping you plan your next event. Give us a call to talk through your ideas and we’ll help you make it an event to remember.

January

1 Jan                           New Years Day
23 Jan                         Chinese New Year
26 Jan                         Australia Day

February
4 Feb                          World Cancer Day
14Feb                         Valentine’s Day
29 Feb                        Leap day

March
1 Mar                          First day of Autumn
8 Mar                          International Women’s Day
17 Mar                      St Patrick’s Day
22 Mar                        World Water Day
31 Mar                        World Earth Hour

April
1 Apr                          April Fools Day
6 – 9 Apr                    Easter weekend
25 Apr                        ANZAC day

May
8 May Mothers Day

June
1 June                        First day of Winter
5 June                        Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012
11 June                      Queen’s Birthday

July
Mid-July Mid-winter Christmas party
27 Jul-12 Aug 2012 London Olympics

August

September
1 Sep First day of Spring
4 Sep Father’s Day

October
1 Oct Queen’s Birthday (WA, QLD)
31 Oct Halloween

November
6 Nov Melbourne Cup Day
24 Nov Thanksgiving

December
1 Dec First day of Summer
25 Dec Christmas

Fundraising inspiration: Anne Reidy, running the New York Marathon for Variety, the children’s charity

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Inspired Adventures

Anne Reidy was looking for something a little different to spice up her fundraising activities. When the Royal Wedding was announced, she thought it would be the perfect opportunity to have a fun girl’s night, while also raising money for a wonderful cause. “Most people won’t admit it, but they were curious! They wanted to see that wedding!”

She decorated a function room like a wedding reception, offered free champagne (which was donated!) and finger foods, and broadcasted the wedding on a big screen. Anne says, “It was great to watch the Royal Wedding in such a fun atmosphere rather than a couch at home. People who came said that it was a once-in-a-lifetime event that they will always remember.”

Before the event, Anne facilitated a few ice breakers to make people comfortable, like quizzes and games. But once the pre-wedding show started, everyone quieted down and glued their eyes to the screen. Anne notes, “It was great to see it on a big screen to get the full impact of the church, the drive to the church and the moment of truth – when Kate made her entrance.”

The ever-resourceful Anne contacted patisseries and had a fantastic cake by Adriana Zumbo donated for the occasion, which was then auctioned off. Anne also raffled and auctioned hand-made jewelry, a wine fridge, and restaurant and spa vouchers.

With 60 people attending at $25/person, plus all of the auctions, Anne’s total came to an impressive $3,000. Congratulations Anne! You’re on your way to becoming a true fundraising superstar!

Fundraising Inspiration: Phoebe hosts an eco-friendly goodie swap

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Inspired Adventures

Phoebe was looking for a cause to support when she received an Oncology Children’s Foundation newsletter showcasing the Trek the Himalayas adventure that raises money for sick children in Kathmandu. “The trip is around my birthday,” Phoebe says, “so it’ll be a very meaningful birthday. I hope the funds raised can help find cures for childhood cancers so kids with cancer have the opportunity for many birthday celebrations.”

Phoebe is the founder of ettitude.com.au, an online shop aiming to to give people who care about the earth the ability to adopt a greener, more socially responsible lifestyle by providing a wide range of products made from materials with low impact on the environment – like bamboo and organic cotton.

On Saturday July 16th, Phoebe will have a Baby & Kids Goodie Swap, an afternoon of item-exchanging, good for your pocket and your planet!

Date: Saturday, 16 July 2011

Time: 1pm-4pm

Where: Leinster Grove Community Hall, 99 Leinster Gve Thornbury

Tickets: $20 online or $25 on the door. Group Ticket discount available (buy more than 10 tickets at $15 per ticket). Each ticket includes one free organic cordial on arrival before 1:30pm.

Bring up to 10 items to swap – can be clothes, books, toys, anything! The number of items you bring determines the number of items you can take home.

All items must be in good quality condition, clean and neatly folded or packed. All items will be screened at registration to maintain quality standards.There are no rules as to how much the item is worth – items are valued and seen differently by all individuals.

Check in of items will begin at 1:00pm – you will be given a drink voucher on arrival for the free organic cordial and tokens in place of each of the checked in items. Swapping will begin at 1:30pm.

At the end of the swap, the left over items can be taken by gold coin donations if you have used all your tokens. Any left over items will all be sent to sick kids in Kanti Children’s Hospital in Nepal.

You can learn more about Phoebe’s fundraiser here and the exciting Trek the Himalayas adventure for OCF here.