As a musician, you have a unique opportunity to both share your gift and inspire positive change in the world. You don’t need to be a platinum-selling artist to make a difference and support causes you believe in. Creating a charity fundraiser is a great way to get your fans and supporters interested in those causes.
Many famous musicians and celebrities are also known as philanthropists for their desire to give back to both local communities and global organizations. You can do your part by choosing charitable organizations that mean something to you, and using your talents and following to support them.
If you’ve never hosted a charity fundraiser before, it’s easier than you might think. Let’s cover some of the basics, so you can use this as a guide to choose the right charity, get people excited to give, and how you can effectively accept donations.
Which Charity Is Right for Your Fanbase?
There are over 1 million charitable organizations in the U.S. alone. While you don’t always need to stick with just one, it can be helpful to “link” yourself to certain organizations that line up with your passions, beliefs, or even who you are as a musician. The charity you choose to support should make sense to your fans, and it should be something almost everyone is willing to back you up on.
So, how can you make sure you’re choosing the right organization(s)?
A good rule of thumb is to reach out locally if you’re just starting out as a musician. Giving back to your local community can inspire people in your hometown to do the same, and you can slowly grow your efforts over time.
If you already have a larger fanbase, though, consider partnering with a larger organization you’re passionate about. That could include national nonprofits like
- The ASPCA
- American Red Cross
- Doctors Without Borders
- St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
When your fans know how you feel about a certain organization or charitable effort, they’re more likely to get on board and help you campaign for your fundraiser.
How to Boost Your Fundraising Efforts
There are many ways you can accept pledges and donations from people, and we’ll talk more about that later. Before you host a charity event, however, your goal is to get people excited about the event and to promote it as much as possible.
One of the best ways to do that is through networking. Utilize social media to connect with your fanbase and get them to share information about your fundraiser. Get out in the open and hand out fliers to people. Send out an e-newsletter. Talk about your fundraiser at every show. The more people know about why you’re raising money and what it means to you, the more likely they are to donate.
When you stick with one charity over years of fundraising, your fanbase will come to associate you with those efforts. A good example of this is Jon Bon Jovi’s connection with Feeding America and his efforts to stamp out hunger in our country. While you don’t have to commit yourself to one charity forever, doing so can help your fans recognize how important it is to you, and they’ll be more likely to make multiple donations over time.
Making the Most of Donations
As a musician, you might sometimes feel like you’re just barely scraping by with enough money to take care of yourself. So, how can you get people to pay more for a charity?
After you’ve garnered enough support through marketing and campaigning, it’s time to take action. Give your fans multiple opportunities to donate and support your cause, and don’t be afraid to give them a token of appreciation in response.
For example, a great way to raise money and give something back to your fans is by releasing a special single or album and dedicating a portion of the profits to your charity of choice. Your album cover should be eye-catching since it’s the first thing people will notice before they actually listen to the music. So, create something marketable that will draw more people in. The more sales you get, the more money you’ll be able to donate.
You can also host a charity concert where every cent is donated to a worthwhile organization. Have people make donations at your shows, or link up with an existing organization and volunteer to perform at their events, including
- Fundraisers
- Galas
- Parties
- Auctions
- Parades
If you have a large fanbase, volunteering to perform at a charity event is a great way to draw more people to that organization who may not have known about it before. It can also show people that there is more than one way to donate to charity. Regardless of income, many charitable organizations are always looking for tangible items, including canned goods, furniture, supplies, and more. Even donating time can make a big difference, so it’s important to educate your fans on those opportunities.
When you’re a musician doing what you love, it’s important to give back to organizations that matter to you. Consider it a privilege that you can get your fans on board to help with your efforts, and truly make a difference. Use these ideas to raise funds for charity, and take pride in knowing how much of a difference you can make locally and globally.
By Indiana Lee