Fundraising Crafts Parties

There are two ways to go about this:

1. Arranging your own fundraising crafts parties

If there is a particular cause or charity that is close to your heart, then why not raise money for that charity by holding your own fundraising party. You can either do this in your own home or find another suitable venue.

Contact the organisation that you want to raise money for to let them know that you want to hold a fundraising crafts party for them. Registered charities may have brochures they’d like you to hand out to your guests about their cause or check their websites for relevant material.

Organisations such as schools may have certain procedures they need to adhere to in order to receive your donation, so check with them.

Adapt your usual invitations to let guests know that this is a special fundraising crafts party. Some people may be more inclined to turn up if it's in aid of charity, and usually will also buy more if they know that it's benefiting a good cause.

You might want to think about theming your fundraising crafts party around the charity or organisation that you are raising money for, e.g. check out the pink themed party ideas for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Think about creating some items that reflect the cause, e.g. using the colours that reflect the organisation you’re fundraising for (red ribbons for Aids awareness, school colours, etc.) If these are popular you could consider keeping them in your 'repertoire' as ongoing fundraisers.

It's also a nice idea to offer one of your crafts as a raffle prize to raise even more money.

2. Offer hostesses the option of having a fundraising crafts party

Let your guests know that they can host a party to raise money for their favourite charity/organisation. You might find that some people who wouldn't normally have considered hosting a party will do one for charity.

Tell your hostess what percentage of sales you will donate to the charity of her choice.

Offer to donate one of your crafts as a raffle prize and when you send her the invitations, send the raffle form and tickets at the same time so she can start selling them ahead of time. This way she can also raise money from people who can't attend the party. Make sure she knows what the prize will be, or put a picture on the raffle form, so she’s able to let people know what they can win.

Don't forget to do the prize draw at the party! You can also use this opportunity to thank the hostess and find out whether anyone else would like to host a fundraising party.

Finally, once you've calculated how much money has been raised, write a cheque for that amount, made out to the chosen organisation/charity and give it to the hostess to deliver.

Benefits of Fundraising Crafts Parties

• The most obvious benefit is the feeling that comes with knowing you've done something good!
• Your home parties are viewed positively by others for the good work they do and this sort of publicity is always good for business.
• You may get more bookings as some people will do things for charity that they wouldn't do otherwise.
• Guests will normally buy more, as the guilt factor is removed when you're spending for charity!
• You may be able to do a press release about your fundraising home parties and get some additional free publicity in your local newspaper.

So you're happy, your hostess is happy and the cause you're fundraising for is happy - you've got nothing to lose!

I recommend the The Little Black Book of Home Party Plan Business Secrets by Party Plan Pat to get your business off to a profitable start.

If you've held a successful fundraising crafts party, please let me know about it here.

Where would you like to go next?

...See more inspiring craft business success stories?

...See our home party business tips as a method to sell your products?

...Check out our craft book reviews for the best resources for your craft business?