Enjoy a day with friends all while supporting a great cause. Charity events are a great way to get a big group of friends together to catch up while having a great time. Find some events to participate in this summer, or plan ahead to fundraise all summer.
People usually balk at the idea of fundraising. Sending out tons of impersonal emails asking people for money can be awkward sometimes, and it's not always effective since it's far too easy for a receiver just to press the delete button. Instead, plan a fundraising event like a restaurant night. Call your favorite Phoenix restaurant and ask if they would be willing to host a fundraising night for your team. Local is usually better since the owners probably have close ties to the community and a lot of familiar faces will be there and willing to contribute to the cause. If a local restaurant doesn't work out, try a chain like Chili's or McDonalds, both of which will donate a share of their proceeds for the day to your cause.
To get the word out to family and friends, send out invitations, post flyers around town, and spread the news at work. Make sure to emphasize that your fundraiser will be an exciting night benefitting a great cause. Chances are, many people would be planning to go out to dinner one night that week anyway, so make it a night for a good cause with your friends!
Each member of your team could also contribute a raffle prize to set out the night of the fundraiser for people to bid on. Tickets for the Diamondbacks or the Cardinals are sure to make money, but small baskets with fun themes like "Coffee Lovers" (Starbucks giftcard, coffee mug, biscotti) or "Sweet Tooth" (colorful candies, box of chocolates, cookies from Urban Cookies) can be successful as well. Raffles are easy, fun, and successful money-makers!
Walking for a good cause is a fun event in itself, and following the tips here will help take the pain out of fundraising and make it another opportunity for a good time! Take a look at some of the charities below, pick one with a cause dear to you, and get a team together for a great day.
AIDS Walk
10/21/12
http://www.aidswalkphoenix.org/
Walk Now for Autism Speaks
10/28/12
http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1011505
Susan G. Komen 3-Day
November 9-11
http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=learn_about_cityl_AZ_landing
