| Is your group planning a dinner dance event? This is a | | | | help sponsor the cost of the dinner. This will help you |
| very popular type of event that can also be a good | | | | raise more funds. These sponsors can be recognized |
| fundraiser for your group. Here are some tips to help | | | | in a special way (in the program or at the event |
| make your dance run even more smoothly this year | | | | itself). You may need sponsorship for catering, disk |
| and help with your fundraising. | | | | jockey, dessert, linens, glassware and liquor. |
| Try to Plan Early. The success for many events is | | | | Create a Program. Many dinner dances give away a |
| simply having the extra time to be able to get | | | | journal or program for the event. This a terrific way |
| organized. You can "shop around" for sponsors or for | | | | to thank your volunteers and a good way to obtain |
| items needed for the event like decorations and | | | | even more sponsors and get donations for your |
| food. Extra time can also help you find more | | | | dinner dance. Committee members and volunteers |
| volunteers, committee members and let people know | | | | can ask people if they are interested in purchasing |
| about your event. | | | | advertisements in the dinner dance program. One |
| Plan a Great Menu. When your dance event also | | | | way to "sell" even more journal ads is to have |
| includes dinner, it's important to have a menu that | | | | different levels of ad sponsorship available, based on |
| your guests will enjoy. The food you choose may | | | | the size of the ad and/or the amount of donations. |
| depend on the style of your dance - is it formal, | | | | You will need to have some dedicated volunteers or |
| semi-formal or casual? Or is it a theme party, like a | | | | committee members in charge of the journal, and a |
| '50's dance or costume party? Choose a menu | | | | terrific graphics person to put it all together. |
| appropriate to the style or theme of your event. | | | | Make it a Photo-Op. Hire a photographer or recruit a |
| Also keep in mind the types of foods your guests | | | | great amateur to take photos of your event. You |
| will enjoy and don't forget to have desserts! A dance | | | | can set up a special photo area for couples and |
| for adults may feature a cash bar, which a school | | | | friends to get photos made together. Your |
| dance would have sodas. You could even rent a | | | | photographer can also take group photos and casual |
| margarita or daiquiri machine, or slushie machine if it's | | | | shots. Dance guests can then order photos after the |
| a student event. | | | | event. You may find a photographer who puts |
| Add a Raffle or a Silent Auction. A great way to | | | | proofs online and then guests can choose or order |
| raise funds at a dinner dance is to add a raffle or a | | | | their own prints. |
| silent auction. The best way to create these is to | | | | Say "Thank You". It is important to thank everyone |
| have volunteers or committee members that are | | | | involved in the dinner. From the staff that worked on |
| focused on obtaining items for for the event. | | | | the dinner to the volunteers that helped in any way |
| Encourage committee members to be friendly and | | | | and the guests that attended thank them in person |
| ask everyone they can think of for some type of | | | | at the event for their help. An thank you note or |
| prize, you never know who might come up with a | | | | letter sent by mail can also be a nice touch. If this |
| great prize. Of course it is unlikely that you will get | | | | was primarily a fundraiser, let people know how |
| prizes unless you ask for them! A raffle and/or silent | | | | funds will be spent. People will remember your |
| auction can help to boost the fundraising aspect your | | | | appreciative attitude, in addition to the great time |
| dinner dance fundraiser event. | | | | that they had at your event. |
| Ask for Dinner Sponsors. You can ask for people to | | | | |