Maximize Your Big Event Fundraising Program

Tips on leveraging your big event to boost results significantly.

Many schools have discovered that our big event fundraising prize programs have helped them further increase their school fundraising sales compared to traditional prize programs. Once students see a big event video at their kickoff, they can't wait to start selling.

But even though learning about what happens at a big event is exciting, we also want to focus on helping schools enhance the experience. There are specific things that schools can do that will help make their event even more exciting and fun for their students.

Your ultimate goal is to make your big event as memorable as possible. This will make them want to push your brochure fundraiser harder next time. Peer advertising is perhaps the best way to increase sales. Participation will continue to grow when the students who experienced your event discuss how much fun they had with their friends.

Therefore, you can maximize your big event fundraising experience by following these recommendations:

Before Your Big Event

1. Allow at least an hour to put your bracelets on your sellers.
2. Have your sellers enter the event area in an organized manner.

Super Party & Super Splash Party Tips

Before the party:

• The inflatable company will show up about 2 hours beforehand to set up.
• Have your volunteers meet with the inflatable company for a brief safety presentation about 30 minutes before the start time.
• Have your sellers leave their shoes in a designated location.
• Have super splash party participants place their towels in a separate dry area.
• We recommend that you provide music at your party.
• If using a money wheel or machine, wait until the end to set up.

During the event:

• No running is allowed at any time. Assign adult volunteers to monitor this.
• Sellers are not allowed on any inflatable games without adult supervision.
• Keep sellers away from generators, extension cords, or other equipment.

At the end:

1. Call your sellers over for their award ceremony.
2. Acknowledge your volunteers and ask the audience to clap for them.
3. Ask the audience enthusiastically if they had a good time.
4. Congratulations to your sellers for qualifying for the party.
5. Acknowledge sellers who reached level 2 and higher by having them come to the front.
   • Mention those sellers who reach level 2 first, then finish with the student who sold the most.
   • Say their names and how much they sold.
   • Hand them their prize, if applicable.
   • Conclude the party by:
     • Telling your sellers how they'll benefit from the money that was raised.
     • Thanking everyone for helping make the fundraiser a success.

Magic Show & Reptile Adventures Show Tips

Before the show:

• The performer will show up about 1 hour beforehand to set up.
• Remind your performer to reference your prize brochure and:
  • Meet with those students who qualified to go backstage.
  • Locate the students in the front wearing colored bracelets. They will be participating in the show.

At the end:

1. Acknowledge the performer and have the audience applaud.
2. Ask the audience enthusiastically if they had a good time.
3. Offer congratulations to your sellers for qualifying for the show.
4. Acknowledge sellers who reached level 2 and higher by having them come to the front.
   • Mention those sellers who reach level 2 first, then finish with the student who sold the most.
   • Say their names and how much they sold.
   • Hand them their prize, if applicable.
   • Conclude the show by:
     • Telling your sellers how they will benefit from the money that was raised.
     • Thanking everyone for helping make the fundraiser a success.

Refer to your sales report and prize brochure as needed.

Learn more about our big events.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.