When some people think of fundraisers, they think of musty old village halls and rubbish raffle prizes. A creatively-minded fundraiser knows that it really doesn’t have to be that way – that these events can be fun and special as well as helping a good cause.
It’s becoming really popular to hold fundraisers in event tents – mainly because they are so versatile that they can be used for pretty much anything. Here are a few examples of fundraisers you can hold in a marquee or tent:
1. A gig or music festival
SaddleSpan tents are perfect for gigs and festivals, as they are the perfect shape to provide amazing acoustics. Hire one of these stage covers and all you really need is some open space and some fantastic artists and you’ll have an amazing gig or festival.
2. A film festival
Large event tents are perfect for film screenings, as they are large enough for a full size screen as well as sound equipment and plenty of seating. You should show foreign films, shorts, work by local film-makers or even films to raise awareness for your cause – it’s up to you.
3. A special breakfast or afternoon tea
For the price of a ticket, give your guests a special breakfast or afternoon tea and a little entertainment, along with a raffle or two, and you’ll give them a fantastic day out whilst also raising some money. If you go for a large tent as your venue, you could even have a dance floor on which your guests can learn a few steps and have a bit of a dance after their meal.
4. A craft market
Encouraging local artists to come and sell their work at your charity craft market is great for the local community as well as for your fundraising efforts. If you’re hiring a marquee or large tent, why not make your market the talk of the area – inviting as many stallholders as you can comfortably fit in your tent? You could even make it a regular occurrence.
5. A dance-a-thon
There just aren’t enough dance till you drop events around anymore – they’re so much fun! Sell tickets, fill your event tent to the rafters (fire regulations permitting, of course) and see how many can carry on dancing until the very end – just make sure you offer plenty of water and rest breaks.
6. Fashion show
Charity fashion shows are not only good for raising money for charity; they are also events that sartorially-minded people want to attend. If you market your event just right and choose your designers and models carefully, you may be able to get some industry movers and shakers lining the catwalks – some of whom just might splash out on some of the pieces. This could potentially make your event hugely profitable for your chosen charity.
7. A themed disco
If there’s two things guaranteed to get people through the doors of your fundraiser, it’s the chance to dance and dress up! People absolutely love fancy dress events, so you should be able to fill even a large marquee with guests. Choose a great theme that is quite easy for everyone to do – for example, a school disco, 70s night or Hollywood stars theme. Then, all you need is a DJ, a bar and a dance floor, and some prizes for the best dressed and the best dancers!
