Hearing the word fundraising usually doesn’t trigger many exciting, happy or cheerful emotions. Of course, fundraisers are held due to serious causes, but won’t a fundraising event be more successful if everyone present is satisfied and content?

People donate money when feeling compassion and urgency, when they know they can make a difference. This is why your event should be entertaining while inviting people to do something for the benefit of others.

Here are a few tips that can help you organize your fundraiser, involve everyone in the process and make it an epic event.

Use out of ordinary incentives

You can choose countless entertaining ways to invite participants to action, just pay attention to the target group, as you would not want to organize a Cream Pie Attack party for senior citizens. Bad tie day, ugly glasses, a funny hat or odd clothes day could be an interesting idea. Each participant must come wearing a funny, multicolored garment and can remove it only after they’ve donated a certain amount of money.

Fun completion activities

Raising the spirit of giving can always be done by organizing contests for participants and providing prizes for the best or even for everyone involved. Rewards can be symbolic but, if you have funds, try making your prizes more appealing. It is important that everyone take part in a team or individually, which is why you can go from sport events to quiz nights, whatever comes to mind.

Theme up!

If you have used up all the ideas such as Christmas, New Years’ and other holidays, and you want to avoid tedious evenings or “Been there, done that” events, try being creative and throw a themed party such as Disco Night or International Dishes Day where guests have to pay an entrance fee and for the meal.

Make it memorable

Take pictures during your event, and use them to announce your next fundraiser, or you can even display photos of previous events on a screen. Include those you helped and what was achieved during the previous event. Make people feel good about taking part.

Get everyone involved

Do this by being a part of the team as well. As the organizer, try being the role model for the volunteers and motivate them along the way. Don’t forget to organize gatherings and fun time for volunteers as well as to praise them and show how important their time is.

Say “Thank you”

Don’t forget to praise the participants for their involvement and their good will. If the theme and organization of your fundraising did not allow you to say much about the benefactors at the beginning of the event or during the brakes, you can also do that the day after in a special way that will be appreciated.

Personalize your gratitude for each participant by saying “Thanks to your donation, 10 homeless people received a meal last night” or “You put back a smile on a boy’s face, thank you very much.” Make a difference with your fundraising by being unique, and most importantly, by being there for others.

After all, money is not the only thing that is considered a donation but also free time, good will and readiness to help.