A successful bingo event needs the right equipment, such as number generators and daubers, apart from enthusiasm for an important cause. It’s also necessary to set a donation goal and explain what it will achieve — potential donors like knowing exactly how their money is being put to good use. Food and drinks must be organized too, whether that means donating from local businesses or finding catering options.
Plan the Event
A solid plan is needed for a bingo fundraiser. Start by estimating how many participants there will be and choosing a venue accordingly — make sure it’ll comfortably fit everyone. While you’re at it, consider food and beverage services if they’re part of the event. You’ll also need number generators, daubers and an experienced caller to keep players entertained. An efficient registration process and clear signage around tables are helpful too.
Once all your resources are ready, you can begin promoting the event: you might want to use an online ticketing tool like Donorbox Events to sell tickets online while creating a branded page about your campaign; distribute fliers around town; ask local businesses if they’d spread word of it for you; etc.
Set Your Goals
Bingo fundraising events rally people behind an organization or cause when they come together. Informing them about the event itself — including what donations are used for — increases support accordingly.
Figure out how much money you need to raise (and why) as well as your costs, such as venue rentals or prizes; find an experienced caller who knows numbers very well but adds humor in his tone; offer plenty of attractive prizes to draw people in (beach towels and hats are popular ones); place QR codes that link to giving forms at donation stations so guests can contribute more easily via their phones.
Promote the Event
Keep guests interested by offering experiential or themed prizes at your event. Donation stations should be set up as well — some visitors might prefer contributing directly.
Promote your bingo fundraiser through social media, your organization’s website and newsletters. You can use free tools such as branded fundraising pages to make it easy for donors to purchase tickets and attend your event.
Consider teaming up with community sponsors for your event to increase revenue and attendance. Restaurants could offer discounted meals to bingo players while local businesses could sponsor it in return for visibility at your event. Do a risk analysis so that you’re ready for anything unexpected!
Making money for charity is a goal everyone can get behind. But how do you get people to show up? One word: advertising. The earlier you start putting your event out there, the more time people will have to work it into their schedules. Put flyers around town and pay for spots on radio stations. You should also use social media as much as possible, because that is one of the easiest ways to reach people.
Next, you’ll need a team of volunteers. Not all volunteers are created equal though, remember that. You need set-up and check-in staff; silent auction assistants; bingo game attendants; food and drink vendors.
To keep things interesting throughout the night, you’ll want to offer some prizes too. Big or small, it doesn’t matter – but make sure they’re something people actually want.