Running events

Events can raise awareness of your campaign, raise money, reward your core crowd and create opportunities for media coverage.

But they can be time-consuming to organise, so if you can piggyback on existing events where you can make an ask, or have a supporter ask for you, even better.

Our rule of thumb is the more money you’re trying to raise, the more events you should do. At a minimum, we recommend hosting a kick-off event for your campaign. Larger campaigns should host several events. If you’re looking to raise over $50,000 you should aim to host an event every week of your campaign.

And don’t forget your wrap up party to celebrate your successful campaign and thank all the people who have given money, time, support, expertise and energy to your cause.

Event ideas to get you started

Events

Concerts (even if you’re not a musician you may know musicians who would be willing to play a benefit show for your concert).
Open days (if you’re raising funds for a facility have at least one open day during the campaign so the community can meet the people involved in your project, see the space, enjoy a rehearsal, and share some kai).
Fun community events like a quiz, costume party etc.
Dress rehearsals.
Special fundraising performances (this can be a cabaret style event where you get your creative friends to perform and raise money for your project).
Film screenings.
Book groups or community crafting workshops.

Activations

Pop-ups at markets.
Busking and street performances.
Sell something to raise money (bake sale, ice cream, lemonade, poetry, kisses, sausage sizzle).
Create a piece of street art.
Do an activation in partnership with the community that your project benefits.
Sell raffle tickets (private concert, dinner with the artist, a tiny work, bespoke performance etc.).
Run pop-up workshops teaching people how to do what you do.

Turning up to meet a new crowd

If you can make your campaign into a compelling story, you have yourself a hot property for public speaking. Crowdfunding is another angle, as people are keen to learn how to crowdfund, so you can share your journey and ask for money at the same time.

Rotary clubs.
Community associations.
Your local chamber of commerce.
Your local marketing association.
Local arts organisations and groups.
Local start up incubators.

Partnerships

Creative partnerships with local businesses are another way to raise money and awareness. Generally, they earn your project a cut of the money. Some excellent businesses even donate all proceeds.

The more your project benefits the local community the more likely you are to get buy in from local businesses. But even if your project is all about you, consider partnerships, as your creative mojo could be the perfect match for a brand.

Consider:

A project themed brew collab with a local brewery.
Project themed cocktails at a local bar.
A project themed dish at a local restaurant, or a cake at a local bakery.
Project themed merchandise. T-shirts, pins, t-shirts, tote bags. Remember that merchandise requires an investment, so you need a partner who believes in the draw of your cause enough to carry this risk for you.

Offering your services to local businesses in return for a donation. Can you run a fun creative team building workshop? Can you teach your skills to their customers at an open day? Can you do a special performance in their store?