Charity Banners

When organizing a charity benefit, the first thing you need to do is decide on a goal for the event. It could be the amount of money you expect to make, or the number of items you would sell, donations, etc. Next, you need to figure out what the benefit will be. It could be anything from a dinner to a fashion show, wine tasting, art exhibition – whatever you and your team decide on.

Team – organize a team and assign a person or group to a specific task. Schedule regular progress meetings and set up an achievable timeline for each task. Make sure everything is documented from start to finish – it could be your guide for the next benefit you organize.

Personnel – decide on whether you will use paid staff or volunteers for the event. Using paid staff could be easier in terms of handling the event and its success. Use volunteers who have been volunteering for a long time and can be depended on.

Invitations – put together a list of possible donors with mailing information and computerize it. It can also be used in the future. Send personalized invitations to corporation heads and local celebrities. Include a date and time for RSVP.

Advertise – in local newspapers, radio, television, internet to promote the event.

Costs – draw up a budget. Factor in location, equipment and staffing cost. Try to get local businesses to donate facilities and products you can use for your event.

Date and Time – ensure there isn’t any other high profile event happening at the same time.

Location – decide on the type depending on your event. Ensure the location is handicap accessible. Include a map and directions with the invitations.

Entertainment – look for local talent who could use your event as a method of free advertising.

Starting a children’s charity is not an easy undertaking and calls for dedication, determination and hard work. You would need to take the following steps to establish the organization. You need to carefully consider every aspect and follow all the rules.

Step 1 – determine the type of charity you want to create. If it is a charitable, non profit, it will then require specific paperwork and legal representation, and also accountable for reporting earnings and expenditures.

Step 2 – clearly define the purpose and mission of the charity. Start working on getting funding and volunteers.

Step 3 – draft the Articles of Incorporation. This document requires your charity to provide information on name, purpose, structure and other facts.

Step 4 – create bylaws for the charity, defining how it will operate, how decisions will be made and by who, etc.

Step 5 – file for non-profit status on the state level.

Step 6 – you need to apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number. This is used by the IRS to identify your organization.

Step 7 – file for IRS recognition. To enjoy non-profit status and benefits you must have the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws in place. State acceptance of your non profit is also necessary.

Step 8 – you need to appoint or elect a board. Every non profit charity needs to have a board of directors to oversee operations.

When setting up a children’s charity might it is recommended that legal guidance by sought and relied upon during the entire process.

The success of a charity walk lies in the efforts of the volunteers. Their commitment and dedication are key towards achieving set targets. Expressing your appreciation towards these volunteers is very important. Here are a few ideas:

Certificate – Give each volunteer a certificate of appreciation. You can even design these certificates on your computer and print them out. To make things easy, use one of the many free templates available online, just remember to customize it. You could even put the certificates in inexpensive frames before presenting them to your volunteers.

Thank you note – Send personalized thank you notes to each volunteer recognizing their contribution towards the charity walk. Make the note extra special and handwrite them. They will be treasured.

Public thank you – Thank your volunteers publicly at the walk and related events. Make it a point to recognize them and their efforts. Single of those who worked the hardest for specific praise and you can be guaranteed that they will always put as much effort into future projects.

Newsletter – Mention names of volunteers in your organization’s monthly email or newsletter, thanking them for their hard work. You could even consider writing features on volunteers who made significant contributions.

Appreciation – Express your appreciation for each volunteer personally. Talk to them and thank them, even in private. It will go a long way and ensure their continued support in future charity events.

Gifts – Give volunteers inexpensive gifts to say ‘thank you’. Make sure each volunteer is given the same gift.

Responsibilities – some volunteers might have contributed more than the others. Provide them with new opportunities and perhaps even added responsibilities to contribute towards your organization.

Showing appreciation towards volunteers will motivate them to continually support your organizations work in the future.

Charity wristbands are all the rage. It has become a fashion statement of sorts. A large number of charitable organizations sell colored wristbands to raise money and awareness. These organizations range from those promoting breast cancer awareness, the Red Cross, to even religious groups. This new method of fundraising is not just hugely popular in the United States. Organizations in Europe, Australia and even Asia have adopted this method for charity fundraising. Its popularity extends to the fact that is reasonably priced and lets people donate even in a small way, and also becomes a way of exhibiting their support to a cause they believe in and want to promote.

With most charity wristbands selling for less than five dollars, some are as cheap as a dollar. It is easy to give these wristbands such a small price tag as they are produced out of inexpensive silicone or rubber. Some manufacturers even offer discounts for charity organizations buying wristbands in large numbers. They come in a wide variety of colors and can have any wording embossed on them, be it a slogan or name. With its wide popularity, certain colors are attributed to certain charities or causes. The yellow wristband, one of the most popular, is sold by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, while pink wristbands signify breast cancer awareness and red for the Red Cross.

A good marketing effort would be to get a celebrity or even a person popular on a local note to wear it, to draw media attention.

If the thought of starting a charity fund raising event has crossed your mind, there are a few questions that you must ask yourself. These include: what are the fund raising needs of the non-profit charity? Who will help run the fund raising event? A clear idea of what the fund raising will be used for is absolutely necessary, while you must have a suitable venue for the event as well.

With any fund raising effort, the task is Herculean, and it’s easy to become disappointed or lose motivation. Here are a few ideas that should help you along the way:
– Realistic Goals – decide on a realistic number reachable with your team. This will enable you to understand and plan for what you can do to achieve that goal.
– Plan Ahead – the more time you have, the more the rate of success you’ll have to accomplish your set goals. It gives you time to assign tasks to your group, spread your efforts and gives you time to spread the word.
– Objectives – set time-based objectives to ensure you can assess from time to time if you are on schedule and within budget.
– Incorporate businesses – encourage your group to network with people as well as businesses they might have connections with. Some businesses are open to dedicating a percentage of funds every year to charities and community efforts.

Whether you reach your goal or not, the sense of satisfaction on time well spent is absolutely rewarding, knowing the funds you’ve generated are directed towards a worthy cause.