Whether you’re planning your first event or your a seasoned event planner, the details of your event will be the biggest indicator of which type of event to hold. In this article we’ll explore the differences between hosting a Fundraiser and Friendraiser, so you can choose which is right for you!
What’s the Difference Between a Fundraiser and a Friendraiser?
A Friendraiser is an intimate event where you personally introduce your friends to the mission of the organization. It’s an opportunity for people who are already invested in you as a friend to get involved with what you’re doing, whether it’s through donating time or money.
A Fundraiser is usually an event or campaign that raises needed funds for an organization, such as an auction, raffle, or special appeal to fund a need.
#EventGoals
When you’re planning your event, it’s important to consider what your goals are. A Fundraiser is more formal and structured than a Friendraiser. If your goal is to raise money for a specific cause, then this is the way to go! This means having someone on staff who can manage all of the details. They will also need support managing ticket sales and collecting donations during and after the events. Typically fundraisers will evaluate their success using KPI’s like event attendance, dollars raised, number of donors, etc.
For Friendraisers–the process isn’t quite so complex. Typically the host of the Friendraiser invites people within their circle of influence. They let attendees know that the cause means something special in their lives. Then ask for help raising awareness about the cause through taking simple action like filling out a card to be included on a mailing list or becoming a volunteer. For this type of event you may track event attendance, completed forms, or other requests.
Why to hold a Fundraiser
When you are ready to hold a Fundraiser, there are several factors that will determine which type of fundraiser is right for your organization.
- What is the goal of your fundraising? Is it simply to raise money for an immediate need in your community or do you want to establish long-term funding streams?
- How much time and energy are available within your organization? Do some members have more experience than others with planning events like this one? Do you need help from those who have done it before (i.e., professional event planners)?
Why to hold a Friendraiser
A Friendraiser is a great way to recruit more supporters, board members, volunteers and committee members. It’s also an opportunity for you to build relationships with those who are already involved in the organization.
- When you want to increase brand awareness about what the organization does or for a new or special project (e.g., an upcoming event).
- When there has been some turnover on the board or committee that requires new volunteers with different skillsets (e.g., fundraising).
The goal of your event will be the biggest indicator of which type to hold.
Fundraisers are typically held to raise money for a cause. If this is your objective, it’s important that you ask attendees for donations and have them sign up beforehand so you can track how much has been raised. This way, everyone knows what they’re contributing and how much they’ve given (and why).
Friendraisers are typically held to raise awareness for a cause. These events tend to be more casual than fundraisers. They don’t require any sort of registration or payment from attendees–at least not monetary payment! They’re also less structured than fundraisers; people who attend Friendraisers may simply show up when they want without RSVPing beforehand.
The difference between these two types of events lies in their purpose. If yours is purely about raising funds or selling tickets/t-shirts/etc., then it should definitely be considered a fundraiser. However, if the aim is education about an issue and getting people involved, then call it something else altogether. Just getting started? A Friendraiser is the ideal event to get your feet wet and build your supporter list to build up to hosting a Fundraiser.
We hope this article has helped you to understand the difference between the two types of events and how they can be used in different situations. Remember that planning ahead of time will save you time and money later on!
