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Start Your Own Fundraiser
Interested in starting your own Third-Party fundraiser? Here are some tips on executing a successful fundraising event. Whether you’re organizing a bake sale, a charity run, or a virtual event, we’re here to provide you with resources and best practices to ensure your event is enjoyable, impactful, and aligned with our organization’s values.
Should you have any questions or need support along the way, please feel free to contact us at events@eastersealsbcy.ca.
Thank you for your interest in hosting a fundraising event to benefit Easter Seals BC/Yukon!
What is a Third-Party Event?
A third-party fundraising event is initiated and organized by a passionate and motivated external organization, company, group or individual to benefit the work of Easter Seals BC/Yukon. The partner takes on the responsibility of promotion, resources, and coordination for the event and Easter Seals BC/Yukon may provide resources and support, subject to approval and availability.
Planning Your Event
Step 1: Develop Your Event Concept
Step 2: Submit your Event Proposal & Agreement Form
Step 3: Create a Budget and Recruit Help
Step 4: Promote your Event
Step 5: Donation Collection and Fundraising Tips
Step 6: Post-Event Follow-Up Checklist
Step 1: Develop Your Event Concept
Organizing a successful event requires careful preparation. This guide will help you get started.
Choose Your Event Type: Pick an event that excites you and will appeal to your audience. You’re encouraged to be creative in your fundraising efforts! Some common types of events include:
- Community events (e.g., bake sales, garage sales, auctions)
- Challenges (e.g., charity walks, bike rides, fun runs)
- Celebrations (e.g., anniversaries, birthdays, galas, birthdays)
- Shows or performances (e.g. art shows, recitals, talent shows)
- Virtual events (e.g., livestreamed performances, online donation campaigns)
Set a Goal: Share your reason for raising funds in support of Easter Seals BC/Yukon. The “why” behind your event is what speaks to your friends, families, coworkers and other community members.
Set a specific and realistic financial goal that makes a difference in your community. Raising any amount will support children and adults with disabilities.
- Example: Help me make improvements to our local Camp Winfield! A portion of proceeds from your tickets will go towards our goal to raise in $2,500 online donations to buy 3 brand-new trampolines for eager campers with disabilities this summer!
Select a Date & Venue: Choose a date that avoids conflicts with major holidays and other large local events. Ensure your venue can accommodate the expected attendees.
Step 2: Submit your Event Proposal & Agreement Form
Now that you have an event concept you can send your Third-Party Event Proposal Form to events@eastersealsbcy.ca. All third-party events must be approved by our team before promotional efforts begin.
Step 3: Create a Budget and Recruit Help
Estimate expenses for items such as venue rental, catering, permits, and materials. Be sure to account for potential income from tickets, donations, or sponsorships.
Volunteers: Enlist friends, family, or coworkers to help you plan and run the event. Make sure you assign specific roles and responsibilities.
Sponsors: Local businesses may be willing to donate goods or services in exchange for event recognition. This can help reduce your costs.
Obtain Necessary Permits: Depending on your location and event type, you may need permits for activities like selling food, alcohol, or holding a raffle.
Step 4: Promote your Event
Social media: Share event details, updates, and engaging content like videos or photos across platforms to build excitement, reach a broad audience, and encourage sharing.
Your website: Create a dedicated event page with essential information, registration links, and donation options, serving as a hub for all event-related details.
Email: Send targeted emails to your contact list, including event invitations, reminders, and follow-up messages to maximize participation and engagement.
Texting/group chats: Use direct, personal communication through texts or group chats to quickly update attendees and encourage RSVPs or last-minute sign-ups.
Direct mail: Send personalized invitations or informative postcards to key supporters in your community, making a tangible connection to your event.
Flyers: Distribute or post flyers in high-traffic areas within your local community to visually capture attention and drive event awareness.
Print ads in local newspapers: Place ads in community newspapers to reach a more traditional audience and generate local buzz about your event.
Please note that we do not have the capacity to supply graphic design.
Step 5: Donation Collection and Fundraising Tips
There are a couple different ways to collect donations for your event:
Online Giving Platforms: Set up an online donation portal to make it easy for supporters to contribute directly to your event, ensuring convenience and accessibility for donors.
Crowdfunding: Leverage crowdfunding platforms to encourage small donations from a large number of people, building momentum and sharing updates to inspire continued support.
In-Person Donations: Accept cash or card donations during the event itself, providing a tangible way for attendees to contribute on the spot.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Empower your supporters to create their own fundraising pages and share them with their networks, multiplying the reach and impact of your event.
In-Kind Donations: Seek out donations of goods or services, such as event space, food, or auction items, to reduce costs and enhance the event experience while raising additional funds.
All cheques are to be payable to BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities.
Step 6: Post-Event Follow-Up Checklist
Send Thank-Yous: Express gratitude to donors, sponsors, participants, and volunteers through personalized messages and/or public acknowledgments to show appreciation and encourage future support.
Share total amount of funds raised: Communicate the total funds raised to your supporters, showcasing the impact of their contributions and celebrating the success of the event.
Schedule a cheque presentation (optional): Plan a formal cheque presentation with Easter Seals BC/Yukon to publicly acknowledge the funds raised and provide a photo opportunity to highlight the partnership and success.
Collect Feedback: Create a survey with a reward to gather feedback from participants, volunteers, and attendees to understand what worked well and identify areas for improvement for future events.
Post-Event brief with team: Meet with your team to review the event, discuss successes and challenges, and document learnings for next time.
Complete and submit any paperwork: For tax receipting, we will need a complete record of each donation including:
- First and Last name
- Address
- Phone number
- Donation amount
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out:
