September 30, 2007 --

Ed Note:  Because of the importance of raising money for research, the next few issues will contain an article with tips on how to organize a specific type of fundraiser.  If you have ideas for this column, or would like to write one, please contact director@conquerchiari.org

Many people would like to organize a fundraiser but worry about whether they have the time and energy to actually do it.  One idea for a fundraiser that can be small and easy, or as large and involved as you want it to be, is a Miniature Golf Tournament.  Unlike a large charity golf outing at a country club, which can take a lot of time and effort to organize, a Miniature Golf Fundraiser is more manageable, but can still be a very worthwhile event.

Note, some of the tips below are taken form an article by Kimberly Reynolds:

Tips For Organizing A Miniature Golf Event

• Just like with any event, start planning early. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to get organized and the more time you will have to line up sponsors, publicity, etc.

• Use the Conquer Chiari Meeting Place to find other Chiari people in your area that might be interested in helping.  Fundraisers which bring together different networks of people are usually more successful.

• Pick a venue and a date.  Call local mini golf establishments and ask how the fee would work (flat rate for a certain amount of time or per player).  Also, establish what the rules would be for hanging signs (from sponsors), having food there, etc.  Take into account whether the course has a room where an after event could be held or is near a park where there could be a cookout.  In picking the date, consider what the weather is likely to be.

• Create a flyer for the event.  The flyer should give the specifics of the event, some general info on Chiari, what the money that is raised will be used for (Chiari research through Conquer Chiari, for example), how to register, and who to contact for more information.  If you're selling tickets to the event (likely the main way you're raising money), it is important to print directly on the ticket how much of the ticket price is considered a donation.  For example, if the facility is charging $5 per person to play and you decide the ticket price should be $10 per person, then $5 of the ticket is considered a donation.

• Consider setting up a web page for people to register, download forms, and learn more about the event.  Also, Conquer Chiari can put all the information on the Conquer Chiari website.

• Think about different ways to raise money at the event.  Keep ticket prices and sponsorship fees reasonable, especially for the first year the event is held.  To get the event established, it is better to have more participants and not worry as much about how much money is raised.

• Approach local businesses to sponsor individual holes (in exchange they get a sign at that hole); or businesses can sponsor prizes/handouts at holes.  You could also have participants pay extra for hole-specific competitions.  If allowed you can set up a food/beverage booth with donated baked goods, etc.  Consider holding a 50/50 raffle as part of the fun and don't forget to ask straight out for donations.

• Consider having a secondary event after the golf, such as a dinner, cookout or silent auction.  This works best if it can be held at or near the golf course.

• Start calling businesses for sponsorships!! This is where the work really starts. Use your contacts in the community to approach local businesses about supporting the event.  Don't be shy about asking. If a business does not want to donate money, ask if there is a product they can donate for the prizes or goodie bags.  Don't pay for anything out of pocket without asking a business if they will do it for free. Also, get comfortable asking outright for a donation. Practice your pitch so that you can clearly communicate the cause and the event. Recruit others to help with approaching businesses, it is one of the keys to a successful event. Make sure you acknowledge those businesses who helped in some way.

• Promote the event. Try to get the local paper and radio stations to promote the event. Also, Conquer Chiari can promote it within the Chiari community through our website and newsletter. Tell everyone you know about it and ask them to help spread the word. Promotion is one of the keys to a good event.

• Create a goodie bag for the participants. You can include whatever the local businesses donate, plus literature from the Conquer Chiari site. Make sure you have plenty of water on hand for the participants.

• Consider making up T-shirts for the walkers with the name of the event.

• The day of the event, arrive early to set up and make sure everything is organized.

• Try to collect all donations at the event itself. Checks should be made payable to 'C&S Patient Education Foundation' or 'Conquer Chiari'. Note, Conquer Chiari will send out receipts and thank-you letters to everyone who writes a check, but we can not issue a receipt for a cash donation. Make sure someone is appointed to handle the money during the event.

• Have fun at the event! Share stories with the participants and make sure everyone has what they need.

• After the event, try to get some feedback from the participants about how to improve the event for next year. Send out thank-you letters to the businesses, large donors and walkers.

• Start planning for next year! Events like this can grow over the years, so what may start as a small fundraiser can end up being a major event in the future.
   

Conquer Chiari will help in any way we can, just email director@conquerchiari.org or call 724-940-0116.

Join The Battle!
 

Return To Table Of Contents