Okay, you have the place, the date, your timeline, and a contingency plan in case anything goes wrong. Now, what can you do to put this fundraiser over the top? How about a special guest? Let's assume Julia Roberts and the governor of your state are both busy. How about a local celebrity? Chances are between your board and your members, someone has access to a well-known personality. In some instances, a personality can detract from the matter at hand, but in most cases, she will help attract a crowd and generate support for your fundraiser.

To find a celebrity of any stature who will be effective, you should first look for someone who believes in your cause. Then find someone who will be in town or accessible when you are having your fundraiser. You might also seek out someone who fits the theme of your event. For example, a professional golfer to launch your tournament or present the prizes to the winners would be a fitting choice for a golf tournament.

Dealing with Celebrities

If you have a celebrity of any magnitude coming to your fundraiser, you should carefully plan exactly what he is expected to do (and not to do). Chances are, his time is limited, so if there are photos to be taken or an award to be presented, make sure you can schedule it to take place when he shows up. Celebrities are prone to the same scheduling snafus as the rest of us, and they may be late or even have to cancel their appearance. Double-check that he is coming, and do not center your event around his appearance unless he is already a major player for your cause.

It is often to your advantage to invite a local media personality or celebrity who is more in touch with the community and the people than a big-name celebrity, who may only disappoint when she arrives late, has little to say, and can stay for only five minutes.

Use Your Auction

A nice way to work a popular figure into your fundraiser is through an auction. The daughter of a chef in one of New York City's finest restaurants was a student at a local grade school. Dad offered to cook a dinner for eighteen people as an auction prize. Another school had the brother of a professional basketball player in attendance. Big brother agreed to come by and, as a prize, give a twenty-minute basketball clinic to five lucky kids. These are major ways to boost an auction while letting a personality do what he does best.

If someone has a contact that isn't a household name but is a star in a field of interest, that contact's services can be utilized in your auction. Golf lessons from a pro or a makeup demonstration by a top Hollywood makeup artist are ways to increase the bidding. Determine whom your membership can reach. If you get a talent to donate her time to perform at your fundraiser, you should then make a concerted effort to see everything is taken care of, from sound checks to refreshments to transportation. Anyone who is going out of her way for you deserves to be treated well.

Media Representatives

Part of your publicity campaign, discussed in detail in Chapter 10, will include inviting the media to your fundraising activities in an effort to gain some valuable press. While this is wonderful in theory, it can present problems. The media is usually kind to nonprofits, but not always. If members of the media are present, you will need to have someone guide them around and answer their questions properly. There are plenty of cases of reporters putting a negative spin on their stories or getting facts and figures wrong.

Should the media be there to interview people running your fundraiser, try to point them in the right direction. You will want the most knowledgeable, well-spoken representatives of your organization speaking to the press.