Charity events provide an opportunity to connect with supporters and other community members while supporting a good cause. Whether your organization is hosting an event to raise awareness about a pressing issue or to fundraise for a specific project, creating a clear, compelling, and action-oriented plan for the event can help ensure its success. A well-crafted press release can further boost the impact of your charity event by generating media coverage and encouraging others to participate.
Start with a strong headline that encapsulates the essence of the event and its urgency. The first paragraph of your press release should also deliver the who, what, when, where, and why of the event, as well as any important details regarding the organization or its goals.
Build momentum for your event by sharing an uplifting or emotional story about the impact of your work. If possible, include quotes from beneficiaries and volunteers to pique audience interest.
Organize nonsports competitions for charity events to add entertainment and encourage participation. Examples of these types of competitive activities can include eating, singing, dancing, or trivia contests that incur lower costs than sports competitions. The Helen Woodward Animal Center, for example, tapped into their supporters’ love of surfing and their dogs by hosting a Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon. For a donation, participants received a surfing lesson for their pet and a surfboard to take home.
Make sure your event is affordable and sustainable by setting a budget that covers costs and potential revenue streams. For example, avoid paying for professional entertainment unless you can find volunteer performers or limit swag items to those that are easy to produce at scale at a low cost.
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