PinkNicky Adventures is partnering with Ferring Country Centre to take a team of women on a Firewalking challenge this October. During our four-part Firewalk blog series, we will inspire you to sign up and join us, give you fundraising ideas, and help calm your nerves on the day.
On Friday, October 18th, PinkNicky will take 50 women to Ferring Country Centre to participate in a Firewalking event.
I have taken part in two firewalks, and I promise it is scary, and you DO NOT burn your feet!
What is in today’s Blog 2/4: Top 20 Outdoor Fundraising Ideas to Make a Big Impact.
- Sign Up Link: Book your space on the Firewalk.
- Outdoor Fundraising Ideas: Outdoor Movie Night, Car Wash, Garden Barbecue Cook-Off, or Outdoor Yoga Exercise Class
- Bonus Ideas: 12 Outdoor Fundraising ideas
- Click here for Blog 1 – 8 Reasons to Get Involved in Charity Events
Top 20 Outdoor Fundraising Ideas to Make a Big Impact
Grab a pen and paper and start sketching a plan. What can you make happen with your skills, resources, and time?
Key things to remember when planning your events Outdoor fundraising event ideas:
- Give yourself plenty of time to organise outdoor fundraising activities; plan at least a two-week lead-in for small events and two months for more significant events.
- Plan set up and take down times: it always takes longer than you think.
- Create a support team right from the start.
- Play to your strengths, resources, and contacts.
- Think about bad weather procedures: think of giant golf umbrellas, pop-up marquees, gazebos, Bell tents or a canopy.
- Do you need insurance or first aid coverage on the day?
- Make sure all events are safe and you have carried out a risk assessment (Templates can be found online)
- Have a marketing plan for your event: use WhatsApp groups, social media, flyers, posters, word of mouth, social media community groups, and local newsletters.
- Be respectful: Tell the neighbours/local community about the event and invite them along.
- Plan toilet access, parking options, and rubbish removal.
1. Outdoor Movie Night
Transform your garden into an outdoor cinema under the stars and charge for admission.
Things to think about:
Date: Plan a warm evening with several dates in case of bad weather.
Time: Setting up will take longer than you think
Size of Garden: Find the friend with the biggest garden. How many people can you invite? How many chairs can you fit?
Seating: Ask people to bring chairs, inflatable sofas, bean bags or outdoor cushions.
Tech: Can you borrow or hire a screen and projector? Practice several times to make sure it all works. For the screen, could you use a large white sheet, painted white wall, etc.?
WIFI: Before the night, check WIFI or, better still, download the film in advance.
Sound: Double-check the sound, as you may need external speakers.
Power Source: Check the power source and make safe all power leads.
Create an ambiance: use lanterns, fairy lights, or hang string lights.
Consider the movie selection: If you already have the setup, consider several movie nights for different demographics, such as horror, singalong, Disney, adventure, romance, etc.
Have a bad weather plan: ask people to bring umbrellas and blankets.
Snacks and drinks: Are you asking people to bring their own or consider setting up a bar?
2. Car Wash
Set up a pop-up car wash and charge per car.
Date and time: Keep an eye on the weather and have several dates allocated to the event.
Find a location: you will need taps, drains, hoses, and lots of space. Think about large drives, car parks, school pay grounds or supermarkets. Additionally, choose an area that is highly visible to help footfall on the day. Get permission in writing and check venue insurance.
Facilities at the location: Does the area have shade, water, and rubbish bins?
Manage your volunteers: Before the event, create a sign-up sheet to keep track of your helpers. Afterwards make sure you send a big Thank you.
Create a WhatsApp group to communicate with the helpers.
Equipment: Collect, borrow, or buy the equipment in advance.
Taking Money: Allocate a responsible adult, or for more significant events, consider borrowing or purchasing a credit card swiper to accept non-cash payments and donations. These credit card machines can be managed by an app on your phone. If you partner with a local business, they could assist with this.
3. Garden Barbecue Cook-Off
Plan a barbecue contest and sell tasting tickets (or go for an indoor version of this and create a Bake-Off)
Date and time: Set several dates in case of bad weather
Theme: Set a theme and ask people to get creative: Mexican, spicy, vegetarian, or colourful. Decorate the garden to add the WOW factor!
BBQS: Borrow several BBQS and have them tested and set up. Ready to host multiple chefs!
Ask the chefs to bring their own food and cooking tools.
Winner: Plan a fun gesture to award the winning chef/s.
4. Outdoor Yoga/Exercise Class:
Offer an exercise session in a park or sports venue with a suggested donation.
Date and time: Set several dates and times in case of bad weather.
Location: Seek permission and obtain written confirmation.
Hire a professional to take the session and ensure they have insurance.
Offer multiple sessions To cater to different abilities and demographics.
Bonus Ideas: All of these could be small or large-scale event
Here are a few to consider: Santa Fun Run, Wine Tasting evening, Dance a Thon, or a fashion show. People love getting involved, dressing up, and letting their hair down for a few hours!
The photo on the right is me with 500 Santas raising money for a local charity in Brighton; it’s become an annual event that we all look forward to!
12 Outdoor Fundraising Ideas:
· Charity Sports Tournament: Organize a tournament for your sport.
· Garden Sale: Collect donated items and host a large garden/drive sale.
· Disco/Party Night: Organize a party and make money at the bar.
· Bike Ride: Plan a charity bike ride with participants raising funds.
· Obstacle Course: Set up an obstacle course challenge and charge an entry fee.
· Pet Parade: Organize a parade with pets and charge an entry fee for participants.
· Flea Market: Host a flea market where vendors donate a percentage of their sales.
· Nature Hike: Organize a guided hike with participants paying to join.
· Flower Sale: Sell flowers or plants at an outdoor event.
· Scavenger Hunt: Arrange a scavenger hunt with entry fees and prizes
· Charity Run/Walk: Plan a route and make sure it’s safe.
· Picnic: Plan a picnic with food sales, games, and entertainment.
You now have lots of ideas; next, pick an event, set a date, and tell all your friends.
Take the first step today by signing up for our upcoming Firewalking Event at Ferring Country Centre on October 18th, 2024, and be part of something that will make you proud!
We looking forward to meeting you on Friday, 18th October
It’s time for Tea and Biscuits!
Thank you for reading today’s Blog, Top 20 Outdoor Fundraising Ideas to Make a Big Impact. If you have any recommendations, please add them in the comments below, and I can add them to the blog.