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Easy Budget Boosters

Here are some easy fundraising strategies and budget boosting ideas. Host an Event that pays for itself AND builds your ministry budget!

When hosting an Outreach Comedy Event, consider pairing it with these key ideas to add an extra boost to your budget. Your group may choose to sell tickets, obtain sponsors, and even hold a church auction! Browse the strategies below for some interesting budget boosters and fundraising ideas.

 

Budget Boosters can...

  • Pay for your Event: And even make money for your ministry!

  • Support: Ministries, missions, church plants, building campaigns, summer camp, and any other program that needs a financial boost!

  • Serve as a Community Outreach: Combine with Outreach efforts to change lives for Christ.

Ticket Sales

Boost your budget with ticket sales! There are many benefits to selling tickets at your Event.

  • Add value: Pricing seats actually adds value to your guests! When guests contribute a personal investment, they have added incentive to express interest and come. We suggest starting ticket prices at $10 for a single performer (this is still heavily discounted in comparison with what they'd pay for the same show at a comedy club-a great value).

  • Remind: guests have a physical reminder of your Event and their purchase.

  • Sell out: Pack the house and sell all your tickets! By giving guests a reason to by early, you'll bring yourself peace of mind. Publicizing that only a limited number of tickets are available-or that tickets are sold for a discounted price for a limited time only.

Note: Sell Tickets before & after Church services, youth group sales, the local Christian bookstore, by phone, and at the door (with Will Call available).

 

 

Ticket Bundles

Relieve the pressure to fill every seat and sell every ticket by selling ticket bundles. Find one to fit your Event!

 

  • Table Tickets
    Sell "tables of 10." For example, sell 50 tables that seat 8-10 people for $100 each. This method of selling tickets will:
    • Involve Members: Give 50 or more people the opportunity to share in the outreach ministry of this Event.
    • Encourage Outreach: Increase the likelihood that you will have unchurched people from your community invited and in attendance.

Note: Tables are a great way to encourage community interaction.

 

  • Family 4-Pack
    Sell family ticket packs. Example: Regular tickets are $12 each, or purchase a family pack of 4 for $40. This method of selling tickets will:
    • Span Generations: Invite entire families, and age ranges-targeting all demographics in the family unit.
    • Encourage Community: Encourage a community, family-friendly atmosphere.

 

  • Value 4-Pack
    Sell a discounted pack of four tickets. Example: Regular tickets are $12 each, or purchase a church value pack of 4 for $40. This method of selling tickets will:
    • Encourage Community: Encourage guests to attend together, or bring friends.

 

  • Outreach Pack
    If holding an Outreach Event, sell tickets in packs of two. One at full price, the second at half off, under the condition that the ticket buyer MUST bring an unsaved friend. This method of selling tickets will:
    • Involve Members: Encourage Outreach endeavors in attendees.
    • Encourage Outreach: Increase the likelihood that you will have unchurched people from your community invited and in attendance.

 

  • Group Rates
    For groups of 8 or more, offer a discounted rate. For an added Outreach facet, challenge that half of each group consist of unchurched guests. This method of selling tickets will:
    • Encourage Groups: Appeal to larger groups and ministries, great when inviting other churches to your Event.
    • Encourage Community: Encourage guests to attend together, or bring friends.
    • Encourage Outreach: Increase the likelihood that you will have unchurched people from your community invited and in attendance.

 

Acquiring Items

Depending on the complexity of your Event, there are many different pieces you may need. From food to audio-visual equipment to door prizes, here are a few creative ways to cover some costs.

  • Donations: Seek donations from members and local businesses. Donations make great tax breaks. Thank donors in your program.
  • Borrow: Borrow what you can from members and local businesses. Treat borrowed items with care, and return in excellent condition. Use this as a witnessing opportunity.
  • On Hand: Volunteers and items on hand can go a long way. Utilize your organization and team to pull together your resources.
  • Networks: Use your social and church networks to locate items.
  • Public Property: Some cities and states lease out sites (and sometimes equipment) for free or very inexpensively. Call to see what's available to you.

 

 

Program Sponsorship

Solicit companies to sponsor your Comedy Event or ministry with a financial contribution.

  • Solicit: Ask local sponsors to support your ministry and Event.
  • Exchange: Swap sponsor support in exchange for ad space in your program (different prices for different sizes).
  • Thanks: Or mention that any donations will receive a "thank you" in the program, as well as a great tax break!

 

Acquiring Sponsors

  • Canvass: Send out ministry leaders, volunteers or youth to solicit community businesses.
  • Announce: Invite business owners within your church to participate in the form of an announcement during Sunday services, the church bulletin or newsletter.
  • Flyer: Create a flyer or pamphlet that the business owner can keep for reference. This is also useful if the decision-maker is not available when you first visit. Make sure to include contact and Event information (including how many people you expect to attend), and ad sizes/prices (if applicable).

 


Raffle Tickets

Sell raffle tickets for a drawing. Here are a few benefits & strategies.

  • Contact information: Request contact info on the back of each ticket so you can follow up with all of your guests after the Event.
  • Sell tickets: For $1-10 each, and boost your budget!
  • Sponsored Items: Pitch to local businesses to sponsor items for the raffle, in return they get a thank you in the program and a mention from stage. See above section for details.
  • Donated Items: Invite each ministry or church members to donate items for the raffle. See the below section for more details.

 

 

Creative Auction

Auction off donated items or creative Events (For example: Dinner with the local fire department, free ice-skating passes for a year, etc.) as a ministry benefit.

  • Content: Hire an Outreach Comedy performer to serve as auctioneer/master of ceremonies. This performer would also be available to give a performance and message at the Event.
  • Bidding: Create a system of bidding (by ballot, numbered fan/flag, hand-raising, silent auction, etc.).
  • Auctioned Items: Create a list of items up for bid for your guests.
  • Get creative! Talk with your local police department about auctioning off a "police ride-a-long," OR talk with your local fire department to auction off a "dinner night at the firehouse," where the winner and their family are the invited guests.

 

Auction Donations

Seek out donations both within your congregation and out in your community.

  • Announce: Ask members to donate items for auction.
  • Solicit: Invite local businesses to donate items for auction. Share with them how their donation will also serve to promote their business at the Event.
  • Services: Have each ministry within the church donate an item or service (i.e. Auction off people in groups of 2-4 as servants for a day to do yard work, painting, odd jobs, or a particular niche of service, etc.). Set a "date of service" beforehand.
  • Thanks: Thank your sponsors in the Event program. Note this in both the program and in the promotional materials.