Restaurant Fundraising: The Untapped Potential of Restaurant Fundraisers

Restaurants aren't typically considered ideal venues for fundraising events and it's time for that notion to end. Nonprofit organizations must realize the potential of using restaurants as a part of their fundraisers. There's endless fundraising potential to be tapped into in the restaurant domain and the goal of this article is to showcase that to you.

The obvious restaurant-based fundraiser is a fundraising dinner. While this sounds nice, it's quite boring and doesn't require any outside-of-the-box thinking. There's so much more that can be achieved through a partnership between a nonprofit and an eating establishment. Charity-themed menu items can bring life to a fundraising dinner and ending the night with a silent auction can make for a special occasion. Hosting a silent auction can sound daunting but there are tools out there to help you. Paybee is an all-in-one fundraising platform with an in-built ability to host silent auctions along with a wide arsenal of other fundraising features.

Charity-themed menu items and silent auctions are only two of a plethora of restaurant fundraising ideas. More will be explored as this article progresses. Additionally, you can expect to come to an understanding of restaurant fundraising, learn how to plan and execute a restaurant fundraiser, discover post-event strategies, and more.

Understanding Restaurant Fundraising

Restaurant fundraising is defined by a partnership between a nonprofit and a restaurant for the purpose of generating revenue for a charitable cause. An aspect of restaurant fundraising that isn't as simple to define is the event itself. As referenced in the introduction, a fundraiser of this type can be anything from a fundraising dinner or a silent auction, to a gala or a combination of various activities. When hosting a restaurant fundraiser, it's important to think broadly. While dining can be the primary activity, aim to entertain guests for an extended period of time by incorporating other pursuits.

To attract support from local restaurants, you must ensure that both parties (your organization and the dining establishment) benefit from the event. The restaurant will benefit in a variety of ways and it's important that this is clearly outlined in your proposal. Explain that the business will experience higher levels of custom. The fundraiser will attract new faces to their establishment and, if the quality of the food and service is high, they'll likely become return diners. The restaurant will also benefit from an enhanced brand image. The business' support of a charitable event will strengthen its community ties and result in a more positive brand association. Other advantages for dining establishments include free publicity and local media coverage, the opportunity to network with nonprofits, tax benefits for charitable contributions, and more.

Simultaneously, your nonprofit can benefit greatly from a partnership with a restaurant. This type of business has an established customer base. Individuals from this customer base are likely to attend the fundraiser due to its association with one of their favorite restaurants. Organizations can use this opportunity to attract new supporters. Furthermore, a restaurant fundraiser can be a cost-effective method of revenue generation. In this type of partnership, the eating establishment supplies the food and the nonprofit takes a share of the income as a donation. The purpose of your organization's involvement is to attract attendees. As long as you're able to hold up this end of the bargain, the upfront costs should be minimal. Other benefits for nonprofits include an enhanced public image, strengthened community relations, boosted reach via restaurant marketing, and more.

The sale of food is only one method of collecting donations during a restaurant fundraiser. By expanding a charity dinner into a fleshed-out event, your organization can amplify its income. Via the inclusion of a silent auction, gala, raffle, or all of the above, a fundraiser can be marketed as a distinguished event and ticketing can be sold for further revenue. To increase funds raised to a greater extent consider asking attendees to round-up at the register, implement a buy-one-give-one program, or create a temporary menu with donation-based dishes. The options for hosting a successful restaurant fundraiser are endless!

How to Plan a Restaurant Fundraiser

Every successful fundraising event is executed with a plan in place. It's crucial to work through the planning process before hosting a restaurant fundraiser. In this section of the article, we'll work through the steps that you can take to ensure a smooth, steady, and effective philanthropic experience.

1. Establish Goals & Objectives: Ask yourself: what does our organization hope to achieve by hosting a restaurant fundraiser? An appropriate goal might be a specific total amount of money raised, while an appropriate objective might be to sign up 50 new people to your nonprofit's mailing list.
2. Choose a Partner Restaurant: Selecting a partner restaurant is a step of the process that should be approached with care. This establishment will function as the venue for your fundraiser and provide the catering. A local eatery that's popular in the community is a good option.
3. Select an Event Type: Decide whether your event will be a simple charitable dinner or a distinguished evening of entertainment. If you elect to implement a silent auction, gala, or another similar activity, you can rely on Paybee to streamline the hosting and guest-management processes.
4. Set a Date & Time: With goals, objectives, restaurant partner, and event type determined, the next step is to schedule a date and time for your fundraiser. Weekends and evenings are good options because more people will be able to attend at these times.
5. Coordinate on Event Details: It's vital that your organization is on the same page as its fundraising partner. Coordinate with your chosen eating establishment to ensure that the date and time align with their business practices. If any concerns arise, iron them out.
6. Develop a Marketing Plan: Create a strategy for marketing your event. Work together with your restaurant partner to broaden the reach of your advertising. Both parties should spread as much awareness as possible for the philanthropic experience.
7. Advertise Using Social Media & Flyers: Craft a series of compelling social media posts that can be shared during the lead-up to the fundraiser. Additionally, design and distribute flyers within your local community that contain key information about your event. Be sure to include the date, time, venue, and cause.
8. Create Donation Models for the Fundraiser: How will your event generate revenue? This is a question you must ask yourself. We've discussed a few donation models earlier in this article. They include ticketing, round-up at register, buy-one-give-one program, and donation-based menu items. Choose one or more to help shape your fundraiser.
9. Train Staff & Volunteers: Staff and volunteers are essential to the operation of your event. When staff and volunteers are well-trained, fundraisers run smoothly. In the weeks leading up to your event, provide thorough training sessions that are adapted to the nature of your restaurant fundraiser.
10. Host the Event & Engage Guests: Whatever your position in your organization, if possible, be present at your event and help to perform the role of host. Work alongside staff and volunteers to guarantee that the fundraiser is a success. Take the time to engage your guests and help them to understand the impact of their charitable contributions.
11. Collect Donations & Track Results: Throughout the event, you'll need a strategy for collecting donations in various forms; consider options for donating in cash, electronically, or in-kind. By tracking donations you can see how close your nonprofit is to hitting its goals. Displaying this progress to attendees can be an incentive for further donations.
12. Follow Up & Share Outcomes: Post-event strategies can be overlooked but are of extreme importance to the fundraising process. Cap off a successful fundraiser by sending thank yous to guests and sharing, with them, the outcomes of your event. Inform them of how much was raised and how these funds will be used to further your organization's mission.

Executing a Fundraising Event

Step 10 ("Host the Event & Engage Guests"), in the previous section of this article, is too complex to be confined to a bullet point. Let's elaborate on this topic! While your restaurant fundraiser is in process, there are 3 actions that you must take: create an engaging atmosphere, maximize donations, and leverage technology. By ticking all 3 of these boxes, you'll be doing everything in your power to steer your event in the direction of success.

Create an Engaging Atmosphere

An engaged guest is one that enjoys an event and is more likely to donate. Therefore, the creation of an engaging atmosphere should be one of your top priorities. Methods for achieving this are endless; the key to unlock them is creativity. A major contributor to an engaging atmosphere is a theme. Themes allow you to combine a fundraiser with a certain era, style, pop-culture reference, concept, or subject matter. They can elevate a basic event into a captivating experience of masquerading and fun.

Choosing a theme results in a simpler planning process. A theme can be used as a metaphorical chisel to sculpt an event. Once you have a framework to base your decisions on, they become much easier to make. For example, let's say that your restaurant fundraiser is going to adopt a British theme. Immediately, you can choose a range of British dishes to be included in the menu. Fish and chips, pie and mash, and roast dinner are all relevant options. Playing popular tracks by Oasis, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd will contribute to the British ambiance. The process involves continually expanding upon your initial idea.

Maximize Donations

Attendees enjoying the entertainment on offer at an event are in a closed environment. This is the perfect scenario to double down on your commitment to maximizing donations. They're your audience and you must persuade them to contribute. A variety of strategies are available to achieve this while ensuring that your guests continue to feel comfortable.

Step 11 ("Collect Donations & Track Results"), in the previous section of this article, discusses the display of progress toward a fundraising goal. A screen can be positioned at the front of the restaurant and periodic announcements can be made using a public address system, if available, to highlight progress. Showcasing progress creates a sense of shared ownership of your nonprofit's goal and encourages supporters to help achieve it.

Another way to maximize donations is to use table-side donation requests. Instruct a staff member or volunteer to move from table-to-table asking guests if they'd like to make an independent contribution. You can also take advantage of VIP packages. When selling tickets to your event, offer an upgraded experience in return for a greater donation. Guests that purchase a VIP package can be offered a free bottle of wine, their choice of table, a dedicated server, and more. Finally, establish a small stall to sell merchandise. Attendees can be offered the option to purchase pens, t-shirts, mugs, and other trinkets with your nonprofit's branding on them.

Leverage Technology

Technology is fundamental to modern fundraising and plays a key role in maximizing donations. Expanding into digital giving options makes the donation process trivial. As with hosting a silent auction or gala, Paybee ensures that the digital donation experience is pleasant and painless.

The implementation of technology makes it simple for supporters to attend and give. Offer mobile donation solutions, in-app giving, digital ticketing, and more. Technology has the ability to streamline many nonprofit workflows, which alleviates pressure on your staff and volunteers. It can also bridge the gap between in-person and digital events. Through virtual attendance and live streaming software, supporters have the ability to engage with your fundraisers from the comfort of their own homes, anywhere in the world.

Post-Event Strategies for Long-Term Success

Work doesn't end at the conclusion of a restaurant fundraiser; post-event strategies support your nonprofit's long-term success. From sending thank you notes and outcome reports, to evaluating your event's success and planning future restaurant fundraisers, there's always more to be done.

Sending Thank You Notes & Outcome Reports

Thank you notes are a quick but effective method for securing long-term donors. Humans are social creatures that enjoy receiving feedback, especially if it's positive. When your organization receives a donation, capitalize on it by sending the contributor a thank you note. This can be done physically, using a letter, or digitally, using a text or an email. When donors receive positive feedback relating to their support, they're more likely to contribute again in the future. It helps them to feel acknowledged and valued.

Accompany thank you notes with an outcome report. An outcome report is a brief document that describes the outcome of a fundraising event - in this case, your restaurant fundraiser. Donors enjoy reading about the impact of their contributions. It helps them to feel satisfied that their support is making a difference. In your outcome report, include details like the total funds raised, attendance figures for the event, and the potential, or actual, positive impact of the fundraiser on your organization's mission.

Evaluating the Success of the Event

Post-event is the perfect time to refer back to the goals and objectives you set in the planning phase of your restaurant fundraiser. Did you manage to achieve all of them? If yes, this can mean one of two things: the event was a success or your goals and objectives weren't ambitious enough. If no, then the opposite is true. To understand how to accurately evaluate your restaurant fundraiser, consider how close you came to achieving your goals and objectives.

If you achieved most of your goals and objectives, perhaps your event was a success but can still be improved upon. If you didn't manage to achieve any of your goals and objectives, perhaps they were too ambitious or your fundraiser was a complete disaster. If you're struggling to be objective about assessing your restaurant fundraiser, send a feedback form to attendees. Allow your supporters to critique the event and use their feedback to make improvements.

Planning Future Restaurant Fundraisers

Piggyback on the success of previous restaurant fundraisers to ensure the success of future restaurant fundraisers. If the partnership between your organization and its chosen eating establishment worked well, establish a long-term relationship. There's no harm in teaming up with the same business to orchestrate future events.

Assess the achievement of goals and objectives to determine the desired outcome of upcoming restaurant fundraisers. If previous goals and objectives were too ambitious, make them more attainable next time; small wins eventually snowball into big wins. Document the positive outcome of prior restaurant fundraisers to leverage partnerships with more lucrative businesses. And this doesn't necessarily apply only to eating establishments, businesses, in general, are more likely to form a relationship with your organization if there's evidence of previous successful nonprofit-business partnerships.

FAQs

Q: What are the best types of restaurants to partner with for fundraising events?

A: The best type of restaurant to partner with for a fundraising event is a local eatery that's popular in the community. This will ensure that the restaurant has an existing customer base that are likely to be compelled to attend your restaurant fundraiser. If you've decided on a theme then it can be a good idea to choose a restaurant that serves food that complements your choice. For example, if you've settled on an Italian theme, partner with an Italian restaurant.

Q: What are some effective promotional strategies for marketing a restaurant fundraiser?

A: Firstly, establish a strategy that incorporates the effort of both your organization and its partner restaurant. This will broaden the reach of the promotional campaign. Next, create a series of compelling social media posts that can be shared during the lead-up to your event. Additionally, distribute flyers, advertise in local newspapers, and collaborate with regional media for coverage. Ensure that all of your communications include key information about the fundraiser such as the date, time, and venue.

Q: How can I create an engaging atmosphere at a restaurant fundraising event?

A: Begin with an idea: a theme. For example, let's say that you decide to mold your event around the theme of space. Now, choose menu items based on space such as "planetary pizza," "meteorite muffins," and "cosmic quesadillas." Continue snowballing ideas! In terms of music, popular tracks like Elton John's Rocket Man, Frank Sinatra's Fly Me to the Moon, and David Bowie's Starman are very on-brand. You can even encourage guests to dress as aliens, spacemen, or other cosmic beings. Ultimately, have fun with it and be creative.

Q: What technology tools can I use to maximize donations during a restaurant fundraiser?

A: You can make use of an all-in-one fundraising platform, like Paybee, to tie all of your donation options together. Furthermore, create a specific donation QR code for your event. Guests will be able to scan this code using their mobile devices and donate using them. Other digital tools include in-app donations, live streaming with donation links, hybrid auction software, and more.

Next Step: Host Your Own Restaurant Fundraiser

Here's where this article concludes. For you, the reader, it's time to take the next step: host your own restaurant fundraiser! We've covered a great variety of ideas in this article, let's recap. Restaurant fundraisers are defined by a partnership between a nonprofit and a restaurant for the purpose of generating revenue for a charitable cause. For the best results, ensure that both parties (your organization and the dining establishment) benefit from the event.

The process of planning a restaurant fundraiser begins with establishing goals and objectives and ends with follow up and the sharing of outcomes. In between are steps including choose a partner restaurant, select an event type, set a date and time, and more. You can always refer back to this article if you require a reminder of the steps to planning this type of event.

Execute a successful restaurant fundraiser by carrying out the following 3 actions: create an engaging atmosphere, maximize donations, and leverage technology. Remember that you can rely on Paybee for a seamless silent auction and gala hosting experience! Finally, consider sending thank you notes and outcome reports, evaluating the success of the event, and planning future restaurant fundraisers as post-event strategies for long-term success.