HOST A FUNDRAISER

You play an important role in the overall health and well-being of the organization. By hosting a fundraising event for Art with Heart, you can help raise awareness and give your friends, family, and colleagues an opportunity to contribute and make a difference in the lives of children in crisis.

Download a Fundraising Event Proposal (PDF) here to let us know of your plans and how we can support you.

Fundraising Event Ideas

A fundraiser can be as simple as a donation canister, a garage or bake sale, a cocktail party or BBQ at your home, or as complex as an auction, a golf event or an art show. Other ideas are listed below:

• Holiday dance, singles, movie, wine event or party
• Birthday party, baby shower, wedding (in lieu of gifts, ask friends and family to make a donation to Art with Heart)
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• Progressive or themed dinner
• Interactive art-making event with live auction
• Invite to a fancy house or boat with special guest speaker

It can be dedicated to the memory of a loved one or in honor of someone’s accomplishments. It is an amazing thing to be able to turn a difficulty into a triumph and help children who need it most.

Tips for Hosting a Successful Fundraising Event

1. Make a fundraising goal and then decide what type of event will be most effective to meet this goal. For example, would an art show, backyard barbecue or special guest speaker better suit your your audience and your fundraising goal?
2. Ask yourself key questions: Will it be a “pay to get in” event or will you be asking for donations at the event, or both? What is the minimum number of people you’ll need to reach your financial goal? What’s the maximum number of people your venue can accommodate?
3. Consider what kind of resources you will need to make it a success: will you need catering or will it be a potluck? Do you have friends you can pull together to help make it a success?
4. Make a list of tasks, access your volunteer’s skills and give them tasks they’ll enjoy. Come up with a realistic timetable and give each task a deadline. Make sure everyone knows what their responsibilities are and follow up with regular check-ins to make sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to.
5. Think about the best date. Avoid competing with a local function or a major sporting event, for example.
6. Think of ways to keep costs down and proceeds up. Try to get as much as you can for free — whether it’s volunteer’s time, a venue, food, publicity, printing, sponsorship or prizes. Send e-cards out if you want to avoid the expense of printed invitations.
7. On the invitations, include brief details about the organization and the need for donations.
8. Come up with a back-up plan. For example, what will you do if it rains? What if you can’t get a key item? Who will step in if one of your volunteers gets sick or is unable to fulfill their duties?
9. Bring materials about Art with Heart. Contact us for brochures, etc.
10. Remember to thank your committee as well as your guests and let them know how much they’ve helped raised. Send the funds within 20 days of the end of the event.
11. Above all, make it fun!

Making the “Ask”

If the event you are hosting has an appropriate and logical place for soliciting support, you can ask your guests to contribute. Limit your presentation to no more than 20 minutes. Your goal is to inform, engage and touch your guest’s hearts. To do this, it is best to balance personal stories with a sense of an organization with a great vision and a meaningful mission. Please contact us if you’d like to include a PowerPoint presentation or a DVD.

1. Identify the issue: Visit the Why We Do What We Do page for a needs statement.
2. Make a Problem Statement: You could say something like, “Sadly, these mental health issues like these are preventable. Our schools, hospitals and government could help protect and treat these children, yet there are not enough resources for the overwhelming need.”
3. Inform your guests about Art with Heart: This is where you can talk about our mission and history and your grassroots effort to help support Art with Heart’s programs and therapeutic books. If you have a personal story of how Art with Heart has helped someone you know, this would be a good time to tell it.
4. Explain how your guests can help: “The need is overwhelming, but through Art with Heart’s methods and your support, we can make a difference, one child at a time.” You can also pass out our Ten Ways to Make a Difference card (order them through us).
5. Tell them where the donation is going: “The money we raise tonight will go to support…” and choose what you would like to raise money for: sending therapeutic books to hospitalized Hispanic children (Oodles de Doodles), underwriting Oodles to underserved community clinics or hospitals, providing Chill & Spill to your favorite school or youth organization, underwriting the costs to produce the Sibling Book…the possibilities are endless! Or take a look at some other ideas under the Sponsorship section.
6. Follow up: Follow up should happen immediately. Guests are impressed when they hear from you within a week after the event – it reflects well on you and the organization. You can even prepare the thank you letters in advance and then personalize them at the end of the event. For guests that attend, but don’t donate, your letter can ask for a gift in your letter and include a pledge form or remittance envelope. For guests who did not attend or donate, send a letter telling them that they were missed, that it was a great event, and that you hope to see them at the next one, and include a pledge form or remittance envelope.

Your support helps us provide more services and books to children who are dealing with major difficulties. Thank you for your generosity in helping make this possible!