how do i plan a carnival fundraiser

^{Additional Ways to Fundraise During the Spring Carnival}

• Hold a silent auction or raffle. Reach out to your organization members and local businesses to donate items. ...
• Add a bake sale or cake decorating contest
• Sell student designed t‐shirts, community recipe/cookbooks, cups/koozies imprinted with your organization's logo, etc.
• Family fun run or obstacle course with a registration fee
• Organization Yard Sale or Craft Fair - Ask for donations from members or local artists; or sell space for them to set up a market booth
Penny Wars - Set up various jars with competing team names, mascots, favorite volunteers, local restaurants, or some other "this or that" questions (Vote for your favorite! ...
Price your tickets so a typical family can have a lot of fun and enjoy multiple activities. Offer volume discounts, sibling/friends/family discounts, early bird/presale discounts. ...

Full Answer

How do I plan a fundraiser?

Follow these steps to plan your fundraiser: 1. Choose a goal Before you plan a fundraiser, choose a goal for your event by deciding how you plan to use the donations you receive. This goal can provide direction when planning the fundraiser.

How do you plan a school carnival?

Carnivals are often fundraisers, but sometimes the goal is just to provide a fun event for the school community. Some carnivals are offered as a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. Make sure everyone involved in planning the carnival is on board with your parent group’s goal. Talk about a theme.

How to plan a successful carnival event?

Whether this is your organization's first carnival or an annual event, you need to ensure that all the pieces come together on carnival day. Here are some great tips for a successful event. 1. Be organized! It is the single most important factor in planning a successful event that will continue to grow each year.

How do you pull off a successful carnival?

Pulling off a successful carnival can be a big job, but you can make the event manageable by tackling the planning one step at a time. The reward for all your hard work is when you see kids, parents, and teachers having a blast. Here are the steps for a winning carnival. Assemble a committee.

How to have a successful fundraiser?

The key to a successful fundraiser is soliciting materials and time from local businesses and community residents in order to keep overhead costs low. Ask for volunteers to help in the planning stages, during the event and with clean-up. Send flyers to area businesses asking for items to use at the carnival or to auction or raffle off. Connect with an organization of local activists or civic-minded individuals to ask for help, resources and ideas.

Who can donate their time to a good cause?

Ask local clowns, jugglers, musicians, poets, comedians, theatre troupes, dancers, mimes, balloon artists and other talented performers to donate their time for a good cause.

Is carnival fun?

Carnival games are easy to set up and fun to play.

How to make money at a church fundraiser?

A popular method for making money at a church fundraising carnival is to follow the example of fairs and carnivals by selling tickets that can be turned in to purchase food, play games and enter rides and other attractions. The advantage is that money is received upfront.

Can inflatables be used at carnivals?

This is where inflatables can really increase the fun. No matter what goes on at your carnival, these attractions are going to be the main focus. Here are a few examples of inflatables and other carnival entertainment options offered by AirFun Games.

How to make an event successful?

Be organized! It is the single most important factor in planning a successful event that will continue to grow each year. To save time and cut down on distracting delays, go electronic and be e-mail accessible . 2.

How to start a community event?

Before you start, make sure your objectives are clear and concise. You are more likely to reach goals that have been set from the beginning. 3. Attend other events. Before planning one of your own, do your research. Attending other events in your community will help you determine must-have’s for yours.

How to make a carnival?

A carnival has a lot of different elements that need to be in sync. Look for creative, enthusiastic parents who are not already bogged down with other commitments. Recruit volunteer leaders to head up food, games, and logistics. Decide on your goal.

How to schedule a fall carnival?

If your community is into college football, make sure your fall carnival doesn’t conflict with a big game. When you have a date in mind, check your town and school district websites for scheduling conflicts. Set a start and end time.

How to cut costs for a carnival?

Common cost-saving strategies include borrowing homemade carnival games from another school or asking parents to make and donate them. Some parent groups defray costs with business sponsorships or donations. The Carmel Elementary PTA in Woodstock, Ga., kept its budget in check by obtaining thousands of dollars in donated goods, including wristbands provided by a tae kwon do studio. Many of the items were used for raffle gift baskets, says president Gary Parkes, who began seeking donations for the fall 2010 carnival in April. If your group gets support from businesses, be sure to publicly acknowledge them with a sign or banner posted at the carnival.

Why do schools have carnivals?

One reason so many schools hold carnivals is that they can be easily customized to suit a particular community, becoming as simple or as over-the-top as people want. Pulling off a successful carnival can be a big job, but you can make the event manageable by tackling the planning one step at a time. The reward for all your hard work is ...

What is the goal of a carnival?

Decide on your goal. Carnivals are often fundraisers, but sometimes the goal is just to provide a fun event for the school community. Some carnivals are offered as a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. Make sure everyone involved in planning the carnival is on board with your parent group’s goal.

What are some fun things to do at a carnival?

Beyond games, carnivals often feature pony rides, face painting, hayrides, and even amusement rides like a small Ferris wheel. Musical performances by students or local bands are a good way to draw a crowd. Contests such as a bake-off or a chili cook-off are also popular. Make a map.

How to get a carnival permit?

Apply for permits. Check with local government offices to find out whether any permits will be required for your carnival. Many cities require permits for rides or inflatables, outdoor use of electricity, and food preparation and sales. Liability insurance is often a requirement for obtaining a permit. Permit applications may be due 90 days or more before an event, so it’s important to find out your community’s rules early in the planning process.

How to plan a fundraiser?

Follow these steps to plan out your fundraiser: 1. Clarify why you're asking for donations. Decide what you plan to do with the donations you receive. For example, if your organization needs money to continue operating next year, focus on what your organization does and how it affects the world around you.

How to host another successful fundraiser?

The best way to ensure you can host another successful fundraiser is to show appreciation to everyone who helped with the first one. You may also want to offer volunteers and guests the chance to offer feedback after your fundraiser is over. Consider sending out an anonymous survey to learn about anything you could improve on for the next fundraiser.

What is fundraising for charity?

Fundraising is an incredibly effective way to generate donations for a cause or charity. Many people appreciate the chance to meet program members and fellow donors when they support a charitable group or cause, and a fundraiser is often the perfect place to do so. Fundraisers can also offer entertainment or a chance to try something new, ...

Why do people attend fundraisers?

Attending a fundraiser offers donors a chance to meet other people who support the same cause and members of the group they support. Sometimes, fundraisers include entertainment or food provided by the organizers of the event. They are also an excellent opportunity to tell donors about how their funds supported the organization through speeches, ...

How to communicate with your target audience?

Consider the best way to communicate the details of your fundraiser to your target audience. A younger audience may see your information on social media, particularly those with younger users. If you are intending to invite older donors who have supported your organization before, consider mailed invitations or phone calls. You can use any means of communication you like to reach as many people as possible or target a smaller audience that you know. Social media can be a powerful tool, particularly because it can reach a large audience at little to no cost.

Can you have a fundraiser at a venue?

Once you have a location, you may already have a date, depending on the venue's availability. If you have some flexibility, aim for a day and time that may be ideal for your intended guests. An evening fundraiser may suit most working professionals, for example. If your venue is outdoors, consider the weather when you plan your event, particularly during a season with a high chance of rain or extreme temperatures.

Can you receive cash at a fundraiser?

Whether you prefer to receive checks, cash or digital donations, be sure you set up a simple way for people to donate. If you choose to receive cash during the event, consider investing in a lockbox or a similar secure option for storing cash. You may also wish to store checks in a secure location or provide an address for donors to mail checks in advance. If you prefer online donations, set up a secure website or find a website where you can host your fundraiser . You may also consider accepting credit card payments using a credit card machine.