They say that the best way to a person’s heart is through his or her stomach. This connection to a deep well of emotion and positive sentiment makes food a perfect companion to fundraising efforts. By wrapping your fundraiser up in something sumptuous, tasty and unique, you can engage donors on a whole new level. Here are a couple tried-and-tested strategies to make the most of food fundraising events and gifts:
1. Plan a themed prix fixe menu
Whether you’re hosting a meal as part of the fundraiser itself or as a gift for donors, a elaborate prix fixe menu can certainly attract attention. Giving donors a full multicourse menu ahead of time – from delicious appetizers all the way to a delectable dessert, complete with wine pairings – you can get them salivating and excited to give.
2. Think about ingredients
Ultimately, you want to make sure that any food gift or event associated with your fundraiser is something out of the ordinary. If the meal you offer is one a donor could buy in a restaurant or grocery store, what incentive do they have to bid on it?
To avoid this struggle, be thoughtful and creative about the ingredients and meals you offer for donors. Try, if possible, to feature an uncommon or exotic ingredient connected to what you’re raising funds for, such as an ingredient native to the region where your charity is based.
3. Host a pot luck
The most effective and engaging way to raise money is to get the community involved. With a pot luck fundraising dinner, your guests provide the delicious, homemade treats while you get to focus on promotion and collecting funds.
4. Food contests
Sometimes, adding a little competition into the mix can help stir up excitement. Hosting a cooking contest rather than a straight dinner or pot luck makes your event more exciting and appealing. Whether it’s a chili cook off or a contest to see who can grill up the best barbecue, these events always attract a crowd. Tap local culinary luminaries to be the judges to add a bit of star power.
5. Embrace local
When seeking food donations for your fundraiser, always start with local businesses to reinforce the connection to the community. Contact local grocers, markets and restaurants for food and catering gifts. For beverages, reach out to regional wineries and craft breweries. These local partners will then have a stake in the event, helping you spread the word as a form of cross-promotion.
For your organization to effectively engage with donors who make “in kind” donations such as food, or track fundraising or other types of events, donor management software can help make the job easier. To learn about how donor management/fundraising software can help you raise more funds, visit Eleo Online and sign up for your free trial.
