Supporting Our Heroes: Practical Fundraising Tips for Veterans
Nearly 2.9 million people are enlisted in America’s military right now. These men and women selflessly place themselves in danger and lose endless time with their families to protect their country and fellow citizens. Their sacrifices tend to run deeper than most civilians could possibly understand. Though there’s no way anyone could ever fully make up for those sacrifices, it’s certainly possible to show support and appreciation.
Holding a fundraiser is one way to give back to those who give so much for their country. These events can raise money for numerous worthy veterans’ causes, including housing assistance, service animals, mental health services, and family support to name a few. Whether you’re raising funds for a veterans memorial or for emergency financial assistance, you’re sure to make a positive difference. The following practical fundraising tips can help ensure your event is a success.
Choose the Right Type of Fundraiser
One of the most important steps to take is to choose the right type of fundraiser. Numerous options are available, but to truly be successful, they need to be relevant, meaningful, and something the public will be interested in. You could organize a USO-style variety show using local talent and sell tickets to raise money. Selling flags and hosting patriotic-themed walkathons are also effective ideas. You could sell engraved bricks, donate the proceeds to your cause, and use the bricks to build a memorial. Those are only a few of the possibilities.
Be Transparent About Where the Donations Will Go
It’s also important to be transparent about where the donations will go. People will be more likely to participate if they know exactly what their money will be used for. Telling people they’re for a cause that will help veterans isn’t enough. You’ll need to determine a specific cause to raise money for and promote your event accordingly. At the same time, if prospects ask about the costs of the fundraiser and how they’ll be covered, be straightforward with your answer whether they’re being taken care of by generous donors or with a portion of the money you raise.
Promote Your Fundraiser
Effective promotion is one of the most significant factors in a successful fundraiser. The more people who know about the event, the more participation you’ll have, and the more money you’ll raise. Word-of-mouth is one of the most effective forms of advertising, and it’ll help spread to word about your fundraiser. Of course, these days, social media is takes word-of-mouth to entirely new levels, so don’t hesitate to use it to your advantage. You can ask local businesses to help with your promotional efforts as well.
Making Your Fundraiser a Success
Raising money for veterans’ causes is a wonderful way to show appreciation for everything they do for our country. An event like this can draw widespread support and participation from the community as well. Organizing a successful event requires a great deal of thought, planning, and attention to detail, though. You’ll need to choose the right type of event and use numerous resources to spread the word about it to get as many people to participate as possible.
Along the way, be transparent about what the money you raise will be used for. Don’t be shy about asking your friends, neighbors, local businesses, and others to help bring the event together. All those measures can help ensure your event serves its purpose for the people who serve America.
