Are you looking for a unique way to raise money for your nonprofit that will stand out and bring in a lot of people? A beer fundraiser is the answer! Beer fundraisers are a great way to bring people together, raise awareness of your cause, and get valuable donations.
Settle down with a cold beer and read about how to throw a great beer fundraiser in 5 easy steps, along with some great ideas to get you started.
Beef and beer fundraisers are a beloved tradition in many communities. These events promise a hearty spread of delicious comfort foods, cold drinks and lively crowds coming together to support a great cause—what’s not to love?
If you’re looking to organize a successful beef and beer for your organization or charity, you’ve come to the right place. Below I’ll share my tips for planning, promoting, and executing a fun and profitable beef and beer fundraiser from start to finish. Let’s get ready to raise some money and have a great time!
Step 1: Pick the Perfect Venue
The first key decision is choosing a venue that can comfortably accommodate your expected crowd. Popular options include:
- Fire halls or community centers
- Backyards or outdoor party spaces
- Local restaurants or breweries
- Church or school halls
Consider the time of year and weather when deciding on indoor vs outdoor venues. An outdoor summer beef and beer can be a big draw.
Make sure the space allows for ample food service and seating arrangements. You want guests to feel comfortable mingling and enjoying the event.
Step 2: Plan a Mouthwatering Menu
The food is the highlight of any beef and beer! Plan a menu featuring crowd-pleasing appetizers, entrees sides and desserts. Traditional options include
- Sliders and mini burgers
- Meatballs in tangy sauce
- Slow roasted beef platters
- Hot dogs and sausages
- Mac and cheese or potato salads
- Coleslaw or tossed salad
- Assorted cakes, pies and cookies
Provide a mix of lighter and heavier items. Consider any dietary restrictions and have vegetarian/vegan-friendly choices on hand.
Step 3: Gather Your Beverages
In addition to the namesake beer, offer other drinks like:
- Soda, juice and water
- Wine and mixed cocktails
- Coffee and tea
Having non-alchoholic options is important. You may need to acquire liquor licenses or permits depending on local regulations.
Ask local breweries about donating kegs of beer or providing discounted pricing. Many are happy to support community fundraisers.
Step 4: Recruit Volunteers
A successful beef and beer requires many helping hands before, during, and after the event. Recruit volunteers to assist with:
- Cooking and food prep
- Event set-up/decorating
- Beverage service
- Selling tickets and handling admission
- Serving food
- Cleanup
Provide volunteers with clear instructions. Have point persons overseeing each area. Treat volunteers to complimentary food and drinks to show your appreciation.
Step 5: Spread the Word!
Start promoting the beef and beer fundraiser about 2-3 months in advance. Market through:
- Social media campaigns and event pages
- Email newsletter blasts
- Print flyers and posters in the community
- Newspaper event calendars
- Word of mouth
Share the important details – date, time, location, cause, menu highlights. Buzz will build as the date draws nearer.
Step 6:Sell Tickets
Ticket sales are key to maximizing your fundraising potential. Advance sales allow you to gauge attendance and plan accordingly.
Offer both print tickets and online sales options. Provide a deadline for pre-sale tickets to drive urgency. You can sell additional tickets at the door.
Consider tiered pricing like VIP tickets that include extra perks to boost revenue. Raffles and silent auctions during the event are other great fundraising boosters.
Step 7: Finalize Logistics
Iron out all the nitty gritty event logistics:
- Confirm vendor orders for food, beverages, supplies.
- Make playlists, decorations, signage.
- Rent or borrow equipment like chairs, tables, coolers.
- Buy plates, cutlery, napkins, cups.
- Ensure proper permits and insurance.
- Assign volunteer duties and shifts.
Having detailed plans ensures things will run smoothly when the big day arrives.
Step 8: Get Cooking!
You’ll likely need access to the venue’s kitchen space or outdoor grills to prepare the food fresh on-site. Delegate prep tasks:
- Marinate meats.
- Chop ingredients for sides and salads.
- Bake desserts.
- Keep sauces and condiments heated.
Cook meat in batches to ensure a constant supply. Keep the food line moving quickly to feed the crowds.
Step 9: Get Ready to Party!
The day of the event, gather volunteers to:
- Set up decor, signage, ticketing area.
- Cook and plate food items.
- Stock the bar area.
- Greet and direct guests.
Play upbeat music to set a festive vibe. Have a master of ceremonies announce key event details and thank sponsors.
Most importantly – have fun! Mingling with guests is part of the joy of beef and beer fundraisers.
Step 10: Cleanup and Follow Up
After guests depart, change the music to motivate volunteers to pitch in on cleanup.
- Bus tables, consolidate trash and recycling.
- Pack up leftovers to donate.
- Return any rented items.
- Remove decorations and signage.
Following the event, send thank you notes to volunteers, vendors and sponsors. Share fundraiser results and how the money raised will help your cause.
Making Your Beef and Beer a Success
Hosting a successful beef and beer fundraiser does take effort and organization. But the rewards for your cause make it all worthwhile. With these steps, you’re ready to throw a memorable event filled with fantastic food, new friends, and funds for your organization.
Some final tips:
- Stick to reasonable ticket prices – $25-40 range.
- Have a rainy day backup plan for outdoor events.
- Offer vegetarian and gluten-free options.
- Buy supplies in bulk to save costs.
- Advertise in community newsletters.
- Send press releases to local media.
Now get ready to fire up those grills and tap those kegs! Here’s to an incredible beef and beer bash benefiting a great cause. Cheers!
What is a Beer Fundraiser?
Beer fundraisers can be a lot of fun, bring in a lot of money, and help people learn more about your cause. To achieve all this and more, follow our five simple steps to hosting a killer beer fundraiser.
To pull off an unforgettable beer fundraiser, planning ahead is vital. Make sure to:
- Gather a planning committee to determine your fundraising goals together. Make a to-do list and start delegating responsibilities.
- Set a fundraising budget to add in event planning costs.
- Secure a suitable date, time, and venue to attract supporters. Plan the fundraiser around a seasonal activity and think about having the beer fundraiser at a local brewery or restaurant so that people can stay and eat afterward.
- Check to see if a beer fundraiser is legal before you go ahead with it. Get in touch with your local health department to find out what alcohol laws might apply to your beer fundraiser.
Get the Best Fundraising Software
Fundraising software tools can help your team effectively manage the various details of your beer fundraiser. Set up a free fundraising page for your event that lets people sign up and buy tickets, sells sponsorships and promotes them, and handles online donations safely. You can also use related products to handle email communications. You can be more productive and raise more money for your cause with these software tools that can help you do everything you need to do.
Beef and Beer Highlight
FAQ
How many hours should a fundraiser event last?