7 Ways to Successfully Promote Your Next Fundraiser

If possible, host a live kickoff event to announce the fundraising campaign in person. This could be a parent meeting, a backstage sneak peek event, or even a cast and crew meet-and-greet before a show.

Why it works: A live event excites people and allows them to ask questions. It also makes your campaign feel like a community effort rather than just another email in the inbox.

What to do:

• Announce the campaign, explain where the funds will go, and showcase the pre-written letters for the letter-writing campaign.
• Have donation stations set up where people can donate on the spot (set up laptops or tablets with access to your donation page).
• Include a brief presentation with visuals about how the funds will support the students and program (e.g., student testimonials, images from past events, and what any future funds will support).

Announce your fundraising campaign on your social media—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even TikTok if you’re feeling bold! Use eye-catching visuals, engaging captions, and student-made content to make the campaign feel personal and relatable for your perspective donors.

Why it works: Social media reaches beyond your immediate network of parents and into the wider community. Plus, it’s easy for people to share posts with their own friends, which helps the campaign spread organically.

What to do:

• Create a series of posts introducing the campaign, explaining its goals, and sharing personal stories of how donations will help students.
• Use video clips of students rehearsing or talking about what performing arts means to them—personal stories resonate!
• Include clear calls to action with a direct link to your donation page in every post.
• Post a countdown to the kickoff event or key deadlines (e.g., “Only 5 days left to help send a student to Thespian Festival!”) to create a sense of urgency.

Encourage parents and students to share the posts with their personal networks.

Email your parent groups, past donors, and your school community. Include a link to your donation page, and highlight key points from the letter they would’ve received earlier (specific examples like “$10 for dinner during tech week” or “$200 sends a student to festival”).

Why it works: Email is a direct way to reach your audience and it can easily be referred back to later by your donors. It’s great for people who prefer to read the details and process the information on their own time.

What to do:

• Keep the subject line catchy: “Help Our Students Shine: Support Our 2024 Performing Arts Season!”
• Include links to your donation page and QR codes that make it easy for people to donate from their phones or devices.
• Use visuals like student photos or pictures from past performances to keep it exciting.
• Remind parents about the letter-writing campaign and encourage them to invite family and friends to contribute.

Update your program’s website or school page to include a prominent donation section that highlights the campaign and how funds will support the students. Make sure your ticketing platform is integrated with the fundraising effort, so people can donate when they’re buying tickets to your shows (maybe even volunteer… if it’s all built in!)

Why it works: Having everything in one place makes it easy for people to donate while they’re already engaged with your program (like when they’re purchasing tickets).

What to do:

• Add a pop-up or banner on your website with details about the campaign and a donation link.
• Include a donate option on the ticket checkout page where patrons can add a donation when purchasing their tickets.

Create a landing page that explains the different ways to contribute, including donating, buying tickets, or sponsoring an event.

This campaign has the power to be your most effective. Parents add personal notes to pre-written letters and send them to family, friends, and local businesses.

Why it works: The personal touch of a hand-signed note with a thoughtful message is highly effective, especially when combined with direct mailing.

What to do:

• Hand out pre-written letters at a parent event or send them home with students.
• Include a personal note section at the bottom for parents to customize.
• Encourage parents to address and mail the letters to their network of family, friends, and local business contacts.

Provide sample notes for parents to make it even easier!

Get the students involved by announcing the campaign during school assemblies or over the morning announcements. Make sure the student cast and crew know they’re part of the effort and encourage them to spread the word.

Why it works: When students are actively involved, they’ll be more excited to share the campaign with their own networks (and they’re your best advocates).

What to do:

• Have student leaders or cast members present the campaign during a school assembly.
• Encourage students to share the social media posts and talk about the fundraiser with friends and family.

Feature student testimonials about how much performing arts means to them and how the funds will support their goals.

Reach out to local newspapers, radio stations, and community boards to spread the word. Print and distribute flyers around the community—at local businesses, libraries, and coffee shops.

Why it works: Flyers and local media help reach people who might not be part of your social media circles but are still eager to support community arts programs.

What to do:

• Write a press release and send it to local news outlets. Highlight the campaign’s goals and how the money will support local students.
• Print flyers with a QR code linking to your donation page and distribute them around town.
• Ask local businesses to display flyers or hand them out to customers.

The key to a successful fundraising announcement is excitement, transparency, and ease. Let people know why the money is important and where it’s going, while making it easy for them to contribute—whether that’s online, through personal letters, or at the box office. From letter-writing campaigns to social media posts to leveraging personal and academic networks, your performing arts department will raise the funds needed for a successful season. By using multiple channels, you’ll reach a broader audience and maximize your fundraising potential.

Ludus simplifies event ticketing and delights patrons. Our all-in-one suite of event management solutions has you covered from ticket sales to final curtain and everything in between. Thousands of organizations from K-12 schools to professional theaters to dance studios across the country have trusted Ludus to power their ticketing, marketing, fundraising, and registration needs for nearly a decade. For Ludus, we believe in bringing people together through shared experiences. Contact us today or book a demo to find out how Ludus can make your next event successful.