School fundraising events are an excellent opportunity to bring together students, parents, teachers, and the wider community while raising money for important causes like school programs, supplies, or extracurricular activities. Adding live entertainment to your school fundraiser can make it more engaging and enjoyable for everyone involved. This guide will help you plan a successful school fundraising event that features entertainment as the highlight.
A venue that accommodates the expected audience size and entertainment setup
A suitable entertainer (e.g., a comedy hypnotist, magician, or musician)
Volunteers to help with setup, ticket sales, and activities
Promotional materials to attract attendees
Fundraising activities to increase profits
A timeline for planning (at least 2-3 months)
Selecting the right entertainment is key to a successful school fundraising event. Here are some tips:
Family-Friendly: Make sure the entertainment is appropriate for all ages. A clean, fun comedy hypnosis show or a magician who can involve kids and parents is a great option.
Interactive: Choose entertainment that encourages audience participation. This keeps attendees engaged and makes the event more memorable.
Budget-Friendly: Select entertainment that fits within your budget while also allowing for other fundraising opportunities.
To maximize the funds raised at your school event, include multiple ways for attendees to contribute. Here are some ideas:
General Admission: Set a reasonable ticket price for general admission to encourage families to attend. Consider offering discounts for early purchases or for groups.
VIP Packages: Sell VIP tickets that include perks like reserved seating, early entry, or exclusive access to the entertainer after the show. VIP packages add value for attendees and boost profits.
Concessions: Sell snacks and drinks during the event. Items like popcorn, candy, and soft drinks are always popular. The Gypsy Queen Food Truck could be an exciting addition, offering items like burgers, hot dogs, lemonade, and mini donuts, with a portion of sales contributing to the fundraiser.
Merchandise: Sell school-branded merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, or water bottles. If the entertainer has merchandise, offer it for sale, with a percentage of sales going to the school.
Raffle Tickets: Sell raffle tickets for a chance to win donated items, like gift cards from local businesses or themed baskets. Announce the raffle winner at the end of the entertainment to keep excitement high.
Silent Auction: Organize a silent auction with items donated by local businesses or parents. Display the items throughout the event and announce the winners after the show.
Interactive Games: Organize simple games like a “Balloon Pop” or “Spin the Wheel” where participants pay to join. Offer small prizes donated by local businesses.
Photo Booth: Set up a themed photo booth where families can take pictures together. Charge a small fee or offer photo packages to raise extra money.
Sponsors can help offset the costs of your event while increasing the overall amount raised. Here’s how to secure sponsorships:
Local Businesses: Approach local businesses for sponsorship opportunities. Offer recognition through banners, mentions during the event, or space in promotional materials.
Activity Sponsorship: Businesses can sponsor specific activities, such as the raffle or games. This can provide additional promotion for the sponsor while helping cover event costs.
Promotion is key to ensuring a successful school fundraiser. Here are some effective promotion strategies:
Social Media: Use social media to promote the event to parents, students, and the community. Create an event page, share updates, and post teasers about the entertainment.
School Newsletters: Include information about the event in school newsletters or bulletins sent to parents. Highlight the entertainment, activities, and purpose of the fundraiser.
Flyers and Posters: Place flyers and posters around the school, in local businesses, and community centers. Include key details like the date, time, ticket prices, and a summary of the entertainment.
Planning a school fundraiser requires careful organization. Here’s a suggested timeline:
3 Months Before: Secure the venue and book your entertainer. Reach out to potential sponsors and start planning additional fundraising activities.
2 Months Before: Begin promoting the event through social media, newsletters, and flyers. Finalize the activities and decide on ticket pricing.
1 Month Before: Assign volunteer roles, confirm sponsor commitments, and begin selling tickets. Order any merchandise or concessions you plan to sell.
1 Week Before: Confirm logistics with vendors, entertainers, and volunteers. Make sure all promotional materials have been distributed.
On the day of the event, make sure everything runs smoothly to maximize fundraising potential:
Set Up the Venue: Arrange tables, chairs, raffle stations, concession stands, and merchandise stalls. Ensure everything is clearly marked and accessible.
Engage the Audience: Have the entertainer or a host engage the audience throughout the event, mentioning raffles, auctions, and other fundraising activities.
Make a Donation Appeal: A heartfelt appeal during a break or after an exciting part of the entertainment can encourage additional donations.
After the event is over, it’s important to follow up to build lasting relationships:
Thank Guests and Sponsors: Send thank-you notes to attendees, sponsors, and volunteers. Express appreciation for their support and highlight the impact of the funds raised.
Share Results: Post photos and videos from the event on social media, along with the total amount raised. This encourages the community to support future events.
Evaluate: Meet with your team to evaluate what worked well and what could be improved for the next event.
By incorporating engaging entertainment, a variety of fundraising activities, and effective promotion, you can create a school fundraising event that is both successful and enjoyable for all. Use this guide to plan an event that brings the school community together and makes a positive impact.