Fundraising Event Guidelines

Please review the following guidelines for planning a fundraiser to benefit Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland. We have found that the results of pre-planning are helpful in ensuring everyone's enjoyment as well as the project's overall success.

• Form a planning committee. The enthusiasm and dedication of the people who help you plan and organize your event will increase the probability of its success. Your committee should have enough members to share the work and represent lots of different skills.

• Set Goals. It is important to begin your fundraising plan by establishing your goals for the fundraiser. Make decisions about who your audience will be, what kind of fundraiser you want to have and what you wish to accomplish (e.g. the amount of money you wish to raise, or teaching friends about the organization).

• Choose the right event. Your event should fit the size, interest, talents, goals and time availability of your group. Events should complement the mission and image of Children’s Hospital.

• Develop a budget. Identify possible sources of income and all anticipated expenses. Make sure to indicate which items you will need to buy and which items can be donated. Keeping your up-front costs down by identifying sponsorship opportunities will ensure a larger contribution to the charity and result in satisfied guests.

• Promote and publicize. Your plan for promoting and publicizing your event will be key in reaching your target audience and overall goal.

• Community outreach. Connect with your community by seeking in-kind goods and services from local vendors for your event. This could include donations of food, the venue, entertainment, auction items, etc.

Thank you for selecting Children's Hospital as the recipient of your fundraising activity.

Your successful event will help ensure our continuing excellence in pediatric care, research, education, and advocacy for kids right here in Northern California, and around the world.