6 Additional Charity Event Ideas to Raise More Money

After our last post on 9 charity event ideas, we've decided to return with some extra ones which didn't quite make the cut last time! 

We have 6 additional suggestions here for you - this time themed around more cultural events and those which you can run at night time!

Culture 

1. Talent show

Now for something perhaps more local in scale. An old favourite is talent shows. This is perfect for local artists or if you have some great acts lined up. Really think about the composition so your show doesn’t go on too long and varies the type of performances where possible. Ask local personalities to be the judges and get local companies to donate prizes in exchange for ad space in your program.

Works best: you’re running a local event or have great acts lined up

2. Film night/festival

Another cosy local event, though a virtual variation is possible. Choose a list of films that people can pay an entrance fee to watch together. You might have a film you made to show off with others related to your cause. You could just as easily do a themed series of films with costumes. Get people excited about whatever it is you’re showing and lean into a clear connection. You can use a room in a local pub or restaurant, hotel, school or community hall - rooftops and outside screenings are always very popular in summer! You may even be able to partner with your local cinema to offer you a charity screening of a current movie!

Works best: you have a great venue in mind and

3. Concert

Concerts can raise a lot of money - Live Aid raised over $127M alone back in 1985. You’ll probably struggle to get such a star studded line up, but you can still hold a charity concert, big or small. There are many variations on this - so really consider your audience! Young and older audiences aren’t necessarily going to have the same tastes. Also consider your venue and if you’re expecting the audience to soak up the music in their seats or dance along. It’s can also be a great showcase to help local talent promote themselves!

Works best: you have a great venue and a clear audience in mind

Night time event ideas

4. Quiz night

Who doesn’t love a quiz night? The excitement is clear and with a bit of research, it’s not hard to come up with a quiz to keep people engaged. Put a few fun rounds in there such as guess the song from a 3 second clip, mould the best sculpture out of playdough or add a mini scavenger hunt! Really think about your audience demographics and ensure each has questions they’ll be able to answer. Don’t forget to add a raffle!

Works best: you’re looking for an engaging event for adults

5. Speed dating / friending

An unusual one, but this can be a great draw for single people. Charge an entrance fee and see if you can do a deal with a local business on refreshments. You’ll probably want to consider age bracketing for this event if you have a multi-generational audience. This can be a great way to connect young professionals with your organisation and begin to build their knowledge of what you do by giving a short speech at the start. If you’re less interested in playing cupid you can also consider the speed friending variant - a great way to connect your community!

Works best: you’ve got a large audience full of single or isolated people

6. Casino night

A casino night can be an exciting event for your supporters - though be very sure to read up on local legislation first, and there are companies that specialise in helping charities run successful fundraising casino nights! It can be a great opportunity for people to dress up and play casino games in an environment that isn’t the predatory space that casinos can often turn into.It’s also a great environment for an auction!

‍Works best: you have a great venue and want to host something a bit more glamorous

Conclusion

The possibilities of the type of events you can run are endless. Unleash your creativity and think how about how you can make an exciting event for your supporters that gives them something a bit out of the ordinary or helps build a sense of community. Define your audience and then design an event that will energise them to support you.

If you're in need of a fully featured digital events platform to help make running your events easier, then please get in touch - we'd be than happy to help.