Ready to plan your first fund-raising event, but not sure where to begin? Here are 12 tips gathered from various popular fund-raising sites to help you get started.

1) Create a mission statement for your event. State what your fund-raiser is about, where the money raised will go, and create a compelling call to action. Include this information in your marketing materials.

2) Set a goal. Make your goal realistic while aiming high. Announcing it publicly will keep you focused on achieving that goal.

3) Engage your planning team. Make sure everyone on your planning committee takes ownership of their individual tasks and the overall success of the event.

4) Make it fun. This is especially important if you are relying on volunteers to help run your event. Bringing in free pizzas for lunch goes a long way and gives everyone a chance to bond in a relaxed atmosphere.

5) Reach out to established agencies. Consider aligning your event with a national or local organization to help create more awareness.

6) Set a date. Choose a date far enough in advance to give you ample time to prepare. Be aware of conflicting local and/or national events, as well as holidays. Or coordinate your event with a significant date or time of year. For example, raise money for melanoma research during Skin Cancer Awareness Month (May).

7) Determine your help. Put out a call for volunteers and utilize their areas of expertise and/or connections. Create committees and subcommittees if the event size calls for it. Hold periodic meetings to monitor the planning progress.

8) Set a budget. Create a budget that keeps operating costs at a minimum so you can make a profit. Estimate attendance, cost of decorations, refreshments, printing, mailing expenses and so on. Set the couvert (the cost of expenses per person) and then the ticket prices.

9) Select a venue. Consider the Lions Club, American Legion, town halls, galleries, schools and churches depending on the nature of your fund-raising event. Check out restaurants and catering halls, too. Book the venue as far in advance as possible, and ask for a non-profit discount. Contact local law enforcement for procedures you may need to follow for public venues. Determine the need for security and liability insurance, as well. Click here to read more about how to select a venue.

10) Consider a featured speaker or honoree. Choose someone who has a relationship with your organization or cause, or someone who will add an element of glamor or urgency. Consider a high-profile businessperson or celebrity, but be mindful of your budget. Some speakers require payment.

11) Sponsorship. Approach businesses to help sponsor various aspects of your fun-raising event. For example, a local restaurant could donate part of the catering. Or, ask local businesses to donate items for auction. Provide donors with letters expressing the nature of the gift, cash value and tax-deductible information.

12) Create invitations. A great cost-savings option for invitations is using online event registration. On EventWax, if your event is free, the service is free. Planners also save on the expense of traditional paper and postage invitations. On the invitation, the speaker’s or honoree’s name should be prominent. Include tax-deduction information, a description of the organization, sponsors and donors. Invite reporters and photographers to your event for publicity.

To read more about getting started fund-raising click here.