Looking to plan an event that could raise a substantial amount of money to help animals in need? A large, elaborate event is not something to take on as a first-time fundraiser. Big fundraising events require event-planning experience, a lot of support from the community and from volunteers, and often take a year or more to plan and execute. But if you have that experience and are thinking big, think creative as well. The more fun you make your event, the more people will want to be involved or attend, and the more money you take in to help the animals.
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Large fundraising events also cost money to plan. Individual benefactors or corporate sponsors will be needed to provide working capital for facility rental, catering, entertainment, graphic design, printing costs, advertising, web design, and police or security for the event. For a more upscale event, such as a black tie fundraiser, even more funds are needed to pay for advertising and services that match the level of the event’s sophistication.
The following event will take place nearly a year and a half after it was conceived, but promises to help a lot of dogs!
The First Annual Dancing for the Dogs competition to benefit three Maryland county animal shelters (Talbot, Caroline, and Dorchester Humane Societies) will be held at the historic Tidewater Inn in Easton, Maryland, on March 10, 2012.
Held in conjunction with USA Dance Easton Chapter 6099, a local nonprofit organization, the black tie optional event is modeled after the popular ABC TV dance competition, Dancing with the Stars. Ten local celebrities will be partnered with professional dance instructors, spending 8 to 10 sessions learning their dance routine prior to the event. They will compete for the coveted Rhinestone Disco Paw Award, the winner being determined by judge’s scores, audience votes, and amount of charitable contributions made in the celebrity’s name, both at the event or on the DFTD web site (dancingforthedogs.com) prior to the event. Additional proceeds to benefit the shelters will be raised through corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, program advertising, and a silent auction at the event.
