**Make cuisine shine at your premier fundraisers**
Food is integral to so many experiences that we have and share. From birthdays to celebrating milestones to gathering with those we love, food is the center of so many joyous occasions.
As you celebrate your mission, be it through virtual, hybrid, or in-person events, there are ways you can make food and drink high-profile features that help drive revenue.
No matter the type of event(s) you’re hosting – from golf outings to galas to tastings – there are fun, creative things you can do!
Hybrid events are here to stay. As you host a group of people in one spot, in the traditional way, you also may have people off-sight watching a stream and participating in your auction and program. Perhaps they are snowbirds. Or, you want to have families participate, and your gala wouldn’t be the best fit.
Consider hosting an off-site watch party. Do you have a longtime restaurant supporter who has a party room, or is there a board member who
could host at their home? Could the meal be donated or done for cost? You can still create an in-the-room experience, that inspires participation and donating, no matter what room your supporters are sitting in!
Tastings are an experience, and people enjoy and will give for curated experiences. Ask your board of directors and high-level volunteers if they have any relationships with alcohol distributors, wineries, or sommeliers. It is possible to have a best-in-class event for little to no cost.
And, it is absolutely possible to host a premier experience virtually. Check out the example below from the McKenna Claire Foundation for inspiration for your possible virtual or hybrid event.
If you are offering VIP tables at your event, make sure you are making it a true VIP experience for those donors! Aside from a premier seating location, consider adding a concierge, special wine service, naming rights for the specialty cocktail, or more.
Theatrical elements and exclusive moments are the perfect things to add for your VIPs! Can you offer a VIP room with a photo booth and goody bags? Can you have an exclusive dessert area with cotton candy machines or chocolate fountains? You can solicit sponsorships or shift some budget – like offer two desserts for most guests instead of three – to make these VIP experiences happen well within budget.
Would guests pay to have a serviced bar cart right next to their table? What about a fully stocked dessert cart, with sweets not offered to anyone else. What about a meal cart that follows golfers throughout the course? Who wouldn’t want those premier items?!
Auction off a bar or dessert cart at the start of your program to add excitement and revenue!
You could even have them as double-down auction items, where you offer the same thing to a second and third person at the price they were willing to pay. But how can you make it happen? Alcohol distributors may be able to donate to fill up your cart, or you can pull a few higher-end options from your standard bars to fill the cart. Maybe your caterer has whimsical dessert items that you could shift budget for to make possible.
There are many ways to make food and drink a highlight of your event to help make your campaigns memorable, engaging experiences for your supporters.
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