Our top 10 tips for organising a successful charity event

There is no doubt that charity event organisers are under increased pressure, facing a changing and uncertain landscape of challenges. Some of these challenges can be turned into opportunities such as increasing public trust, embracing technology and developing the sector’s key roles in post-Brexit Britain.

Charity events play an important part in income generation. A lot of organisation goes into event planning for charity events, but what key areas are crucial to ensure a successful fundraising event?

Our top 10 event checklist for organising a charity event:

1. Have a clear mission statement – the event may have more than one purpose, but it is essential to decide from the start what these are because it will, in turn, influence your fundraising goals for the event.
2. Raising funds – the amount of money to be raised is an important fundraising goal. Of course, the figure should be realistic, but if your sales incentives and marketing plans are in order, you should be confident that it will be achievable. It is important to share both the mission statement and fundraising goal with your stakeholders in the lead up to the event as a reminder of what you are all working towards.
3. Volunteers – your ‘ambassadors’ are crucial in having the event running smoothly. They are kindly volunteering their time and will go to great lengths to lend a hand and support event logistics. Ensure communication is crystal clear, consistent and timely.
4. Social media – in order to spread the word efficiently make sure you have defined your target audience. A marketing plan should outline the reasons why your supporters should choose your charity over others.
5. Choosing a venue – fundraising events can have a variety of themes and deciding where to hold the event should enhance the theme of the event.
6. Food and drink – depending on the kind of event you intend to host, catering will naturally add value to the event. Consider options carefully.
7. Ticket sales – this is key to the event’s success. Ticket tiers, additional packages and add-ons should entice would-be participants to easily make purchases and recommend their friends and extended networks to join the event.
8. Encourage people– in the run-up to the event utilise both online and offline activities to remind participants to keep fundraising and what a real difference their efforts are making to those who need it most. Online tends to be more cost-effective, but the power of a handwritten note should not be underestimated.
9. Incorporate charity event technology – don’t be afraid to use new apps to speed up fundraising. Examples include mobile giving and event platforms such as Eventbrite.
10. Thank you – often neglected but so important. Take the time to say thank you to your donors, volunteers, staff and local businesses. If you do this well, future donations from these participants may just be that bit easier.

More about Church House Westminster

Church House Westminster is a Grade II-listed events venue in central London. The Westminster venue offers convenient and accessible transport links and is situated within walking distance of the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, and the London Eye. The AIM Gold accredited venue provides 19 versatile event spaces including meeting rooms and theatres for hire. The largest dedicated lecture theatre, the dome-shaped Assembly Hall, accommodates up to 664 guests. The award-winning team of events coordinators arranges over 800 events every year including meetings, conferences, awards ceremonies, gala dinners, product launches, and receptions. For events requiring bespoke catering and audio-visual requirements, the venue team members include in-house caterers, CH&CO, and expert in-house audio-visual technicians.