To organise a fundraising event could be fun and rewarding. Start by considering what sort of activities could attract the attention of people living in your region. Here are some ideas:
1) Dinner. Get local restaurant and cafes (or bakeries, food stalls in markets etc) involved in the planning of this event by asking them to donate meals or cakes for a dinner party. Find a location that can host many people and where to put tables and chairs. Advertise the dinner and sell tickets to participate in the event. Advertisement is key to success; the more people you attract the more funding you raise. You can even think to organise several dinner parties with different themes and menus to attract more people. Alternatives could be to sell cakes in a local market or street food in a key location.
2) Dancing Party. Get local musicians and bands involved in preparing this event. They should agree to play for free (or for a very small fee) and to help you promoting the event through their exiting networks. It would be better if you could reach popular bands or musicians to make the event more exclusive and ensure the success of your fundraising event.
3) Second Hand Market. Start planning well in advance and establish a way to collect unwanted items to be sold at your event (clothes, accessories, books, furniture etc). You could organise a drop off centre or to collect the items door to door. Once you gathered all the items you need a group of people able to price the goods and display them for potential customers. You could also consider leaving the items without a price tag and ask customers to leave a donation.
4) Run a Marathon. Participate in a marathon (or any other challenge) and raise fund to sponsor your activity specifying that all the money raised will go towards the funding of your planned project.
5) Odd jobs. Gather a team of volunteer who have employable skills such as gardening, cleaning, baby-sitting, tutors, handy-men etc and ask them to give up some of their spare time to work for you. The idea is that people will hire them and pay their fees to your organisation towards the funding of your project.
Fundraising events are great to build community relations and also to make your organisation more visible in your community. Remember that it could take time to gather volunteers and to organise events so plan well in advance!
