Planning a Successful Fundraiser

Are you interested in planning an event for Willow? We would love to help! Follow these guidelines to help you plan.

Decide on an event – get together with your friends, family, co-workers etc. and brainstorm some ideas. Here are some suggestions:

• Tournament (Golf, baseball, basketball, soccer, the list goes on) – Plan a day of sport, including tournament, dinner and a silent or live auction.
  
• Organize an Ebay auction – Collect some items from friends, family or co-workers to sell on Ebay. Make sure you say that the proceeds will go to Willow!
  
• Fashion Show – Have a flare for fashion? Organize a fashion show by either contacting local retail stores, using up and coming designers from a local college/university program or designing your own line of stylish wear.
  
• Local House Tour – Plan an afternoon event to visit interesting and unique homes in your city/town. Who doesn’t like to see how others decorate? Maybe a local architect or interior designer could act as tour guide.
  
• Plan a Walk or Run – What better way to stay in shape and help a good cause?
  
• Wedding Celebration – If you’re getting married and want to honour someone in your life who has been affected by breast cancer, we invite you to make a donation to Willow in lieu of wedding favours.
  
• Dinner/Dance – Instead of taking a gift of wine to a dinner, make a donation to Willow in the hosts honour.
  
• Car Wash or Garage Sale – Collect the money on behalf of Willow.
  

Form a Committee – Surround yourself with enthusiastic people who are willing to help make your event a success.

Set a Date – Make sure you give yourself enough lead time in order to get everything organized. Chose a venue/location and date that is convenient for everyone and doesn’t conflict with other major events in your area.

Set a Budget – It’s important to outline what your costs will be for the event. This will help you monitor your expenses and determine whether your fundraising goals are attainable.

Choose an Audience – Understanding who your target audience (who will come out and support your event) is very important when you are creating your marketing and promotional material. All materials (posters, flyers, emails) should appeal to your audience in order to generate enthusiasm for your event.

Your Plan – To get a better idea of the details essential to the success of your event, create a timeline with deadlines and detailing roles and responsibilities for anyone helping plan/execute the event.

Flyers, Posters, Emails and more! – Anything you feel will create awareness for your event. Willow can provide you with our information brochures about Willow and Willow posters as well as post your event on our website.

Tax Receipts – Receipts will be issued to those who donated money to your event if all guidelines of the Canada Revenue Agency are met. Make sure that cheques are made out to Willow and donation forms are filled out correctly.

Thank You – Don’t forget to recognize everyone who helped you organize your event as well as those who participated. Let them know how much you appreciated their support as well as the grand total raised in support of Willow.

Please fill out the attached Third Party Event Form and send it to Willow by mail, fax or email:

Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada
Attn: Fundraising Coordinator
20 Victoria Street, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 2N8
T: (888) 778-3100
F: (416) 778-8070
Email: fundraiser@willow.org

 

Revised July 2006