How to plan a fundraising event
Want your fundraising plan to go off without a hitch? Follow these steps for a fun and successful fundraiser.
St. Jude patient Alanna
1. Choose a fundraising goal
Your first step in planning a fundraiser is to set a fundraising goal. Knowing how much money you’d like to raise for your cause can help shape the event and its attendees, and can help you define success. Be sure the amount you choose feels attainable.
2. Set a realistic budget
Once you’ve chosen your fundraising goal, the next step is to determine how much you’d like to spend on your event. Consider everything that will go into your fundraiser — staffing, entertainment, food and drinks, decorations and venue fees — and calculate how much you’ll need to spend.
Measure these costs against your fundraising goal. This can help keep your spending in check and ensure you’ll get as much for your money as possible, so you can focus on your fundraising goals.
St. Jude patient Brayden with his dad
St. Jude patient Geraldine
3. Pick a theme
Having a theme for your fundraising event can help draw in more people and ensure they have a great time raising money for your cause.
Choose a theme that resonates with your target audience. For example, a dance marathon might work best if you’re targeting high school or college students, while a fundraising run might be a better idea for a fitness community.
4. Find a great location
One of the most important parts of a successful fundraiser is the location. When finding your ideal event venue, consider your budget, your audience, the theme and accessibility. You’ll want to find a space that’s large enough for and appealing to your audience, goes with your fundraising theme and is accessible to all guests.
St. Jude patient Keegan
St. Jude patient Lizbeth with her mom
5. Gather sponsors and volunteers
Sponsors and volunteers are an important part of any successful charity event. Meet with local businesses and organizations that may be interested in contributing to your fundraiser. Sponsors can help cover the costs of the event, provide food and drinks, offer prizes and more.
You may also need volunteers to help run your fundraiser. Use the resources at your disposal, like email and social media, to reach out to friends and family.
6. Determine how you’ll accept donations
Before taking in donations, you’ll need to determine the methods you’ll use to accept them. And let your participants know what to expect so they can donate easily, whether it be through cash, checks, online or through payment apps, like PayPal or Venmo.
St. Jude patient Kiki with her service dog, Asher Lux
St. Jude patient Quincy
7. Make a schedule for event day
The next step is to create a schedule for the day. Map out when the event will happen and how the day will unfold. Building and sticking to a schedule can help ensure your event feels organized and the day runs as smoothly as possible. Be sure to plan for the unexpected as well, including the weather. Build in some buffer time to account for any hiccups or surprises.
8. Market your event
Once you’ve ironed out all the details, it’s time to market your event. Getting the word out is key, so use all of the resources you have available.
Social media is particularly helpful for marketing. Post about your fundraiser and encourage others to share the information. Using email and more traditional marketing materials, like flyers and word-of-mouth, are also effective tools to get people excited to come to your event.
St. Jude patient Oaklee
St. Jude patient Rinoa
9. Get fundraising!
Now it's time for the fun part! You’ve done all of the hard work to plan your fundraiser and make your event as successful as it can be. Let the fundraising begin!
Find a fundraiser
Interested in fundraising for St. Jude, but don’t have the time to organize an event? Join or donate to one of our current fundraisers. From walk-a-thons to scavenger hunts, find a fundraiser that works for you.
What can fundraising money do?
When you fundraise for St. Jude, you're helping us work toward our mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
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$350 could help provide 30 platelet count tests*
St. Jude patient Adalyn and her mom
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$500 could help cover the cost of 25 sets of IV tubing for chemotherapy*
St. Jude patient Ava with her mom
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$750 could help cover the cost of a spinal tap*
St. Jude patient Lucas
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$1,000 could help cover the cost of three chest X-rays*
St. Jude patient Janelle with her dad
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$2,500 could help cover the cost of two days of outpatient visits*
St. Jude patient Mila and her mom
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$5,000 could help provide three days of chemotherapy administered intravenously to leukemia or solid tumor patients*
St. Jude patient Alanna with her mom
* When you make a donation using this information, your donation will be used to provide breakthrough research, treatment and cures. Items listed here are representative of services and supplies that are part of the treatment and care of children at St. Jude. The cost of each item or service is an approximation, and will vary based on actual costs incurred and individual patient needs. Your donation will be used for the general operating needs of St. Jude, where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.
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Fundraising Resources
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See the ways you can fundraise for St. Jude or participate in an event to help save the lives of kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.