Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser is an excellent and proven way to raise money for your group, church or organization. However, just having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser will NOT be enough. You need to consider multiple ways to maximize your profits at your event. Many groups leave money on the table (literally)!

If this is your first year of event you can start your tradition off strong by having great food and an affordable ticket price (and by making it FUN). You might consider offering different pricing structure based on age (student or senior discount) or a family package. Getting people in the door to your event is the first step. How you maximize your efforts once they are there is the real way you will raise additional funds. Even great fundraising ideas can stand a little improvement. Let's see what else you can do to spice it up a little.

Planning is the key for your spaghetti dinner fundraiser so make sure to have (at a minimum) the following committees: promotion/publicity, procurement (food and raffle/silent auction items), food preparation, volunteers (to serve, sell tickets, etc), entertainment, set up/clean up.

Getting the word out in your community is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a successful spaghetti fundraising dinner. Remember, TV and radio event board (most media outlets have “free” space for non-profit groups). Word of mouth, website promotion, and fliers around town are other great affordable options that will drive traffic and interest to your event.

In terms of the actual event and the necessary food, it is important to pre sell tickets in order to ensure that you will have enough food and you don’t run out. You do however want to encourage “walk up” business for the night of the event. Spaghetti is affordable so get extra! Also, don’t forget to seek discounts on the food itself. Many grocery stores will offer a discount to your nonprofit. This tactic will help save you money. Remember, every little bit helps.

Other Fundraising Ideas at the Event

Consider the following ideas to add fun and additional profits to your spaghetti dinner fundraiser:

Silent Auction: Procure items from the community to give people additional ways to support your group. Place the items around the room for ease of viewing and bidding. Consider having one of the silent auction items along side the line to get into your venue to give people time to look, shop and bid.

Raffle: Pre sale tickets to those people who might not be able to attend the event. Procure 2-3 items of great value and something people want. Make sure to have people selling tickets at the event. Another idea is to give people a button or a glow in the dark bracelet that they can wear once they have purchased raffle tickets. If you can’t procurement items, consider having a 50/50 raffle in which half of the money raised goes to your organization and the other half goes to the winning ticket. Have your master of ceremonies or someone making announcements to try to get everyone at the event to buy tickets. Make the drawing of the raffle tickets fun.

Sell Advertising for the placemats or event program: Local businesses and even members of your organization can purchase small squares on the placements or in the program (or fliers used in promotion) for the event. Have a talented and artistic member of your group (or perhaps children) design the placements. They are sure to be a conversation starter.

Sell other fundraising items Items with your group or organization’s logo on them is also a great way to raise money the night of your event. Custom silicon wristbands, t-shirts, mugs, wine glasses, etc. are all great additional ways to raise money at the event.

Wine Tasting: What goes better with a delicious spaghetti dinner? If you are lucky enough to have a vineyard in your area, arrange for product to be donated for an additional donation. Sell a logoed wine glass with a few drink tickets for a package price (perhaps the wine glass and two drink tickets for $15).

Donation Stations: Remember to place “donation stations” which can be creatively decorated boxes, milk jugs or other containers around the room. One of the best places is near the cashier. Random gifts (even spare change) are the best!

Remember, creating a fun filled event can start a terrific tradition for your organization one that will be remembered and attended for years to come.