There’s something about the holiday season that puts us in a giving mood. In fact, one third of all charitable gifts are donated in December alone.
If you’re hosting events during this time of year, incorporating philanthropy into your plan can be a great way to support a local cause while boosting your own reputation in the community. And it might be simpler than you think.
Let’s dive into philanthropy for holiday events, including how it can benefit your business and creative ideas to engage your guests.
Benefits of Incorporating Philanthropy into your Holiday Events
Aligns with the Spirit of the Season
The holidays are a time for giving, which naturally aligns with philanthropic activities. Attendees are often in a generous mindset, making them more likely to participate in charitable activities.
Creates a Positive Brand Image
Supporting a cause shows that your business cares about the community, which can improve brand perception and loyalty. Customers and partners appreciate businesses that prioritize giving back.
Increases Attendance and Engagement
Many people are drawn to events that support a good cause, especially around the holidays. Offering philanthropic activities, like donation drives or charity games, can make the event more appealing and meaningful, attracting a larger and more engaged crowd.
Attracts Sponsorships and Partnerships
Philanthropic events are attractive to sponsors who want to associate their brand with positive community impact. Many companies actively look for events that allow them to fulfill their corporate social responsibility goals.
Builds a Sense of Community
Holiday events with a philanthropic focus can create a sense of unity among attendees as they contribute to a shared cause. This sense of community and goodwill can lead to a more memorable experience.
Boosts Staff Morale
Giving back is often rewarding not only for attendees but also for your team. When employees and volunteers see the positive impact they’re making, it can increase morale and job satisfaction.
Tax Benefits
Depending on your location and the structure of your charitable contributions, there can be tax advantages to donating a portion of proceeds or collecting donations, which could offset some event costs.
Attracts Positive Media Coverage
Local news outlets often look for uplifting, community-centered stories, especially around the holidays. A philanthropic event can generate media interest, providing valuable exposure and drawing even more attendees.
Encourages Long-Term Engagement
Introducing a philanthropic component can foster longer-term relationships with attendees, who may want to support your event annually or continue supporting the cause beyond the event.
Adding a philanthropic focus to your holiday event can create a positive experience for everyone involved while giving back to the community in a meaningful way.
How to Incorporate Charitable Giving into Your Holiday Event
There are many different ways you can encourage your guests to support your chosen cause! Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Donate During Checkout
After guests add their tickets to their online cart, invite them to add a donation to a local charity. This is the simplest way to encourage participation because guests are already in the checkout process: they’re ready to spend money. If you’re using Passage as your ticketing partner, you can add a donation popup right into the checkout process. You can create a suggested donation amount, or allow guests to choose how much they’d like to give.
Charity Partnerships and Donations
Partner with a local charity or nonprofit to collect donations, whether cash, food, or toys, at the event entrance. To encourage participation, offer a discount or raffle entry for attendees who bring a donation.
Holiday Giving Tree
Set up a “giving tree” where guests can pick an ornament with a specific gift or donation item listed. This can directly benefit families in need, schools, or community organizations.
Silent Auction or Raffle for a Cause
Host a holiday-themed silent auction or raffle, with all proceeds going to a designated charity. Include exciting prizes or experiences for winners to encourage participation.
Sponsor-a-Family Program
Coordinate with a charity to identify families in need, then allow event attendees to “sponsor” a family for the holidays, covering gifts or necessities.
Percentage of Ticket Sales
Donate a portion of ticket or entry fees to a chosen charity. Make the impact clear to attendees by sharing how their attendance benefits the cause.
Charity Game Booths
For a family arcade event, consider hosting charity-focused game booths where participants donate to play, with all proceeds going to charity.
Tap to Give
Set up a cashless ‘donation jar’ using a platform like DipJar to allow your guests to donate by inserting or tapping their payment card while they’re enjoying your event. Consider placing the equipment near your event entrance or by the registration table so your team can invite guests to donate as they arrive or as they leave at the end of the night.
Volunteer Opportunities
Offer event attendees the chance to sign up for volunteer activities with the partnered charity. This is a nice way to encourage longer-term support.
Holiday Gift Wrapping Station
Set up a gift-wrapping station where guests can have their presents wrapped in exchange for a donation to a charity.
Sponsor a “Giving Hour”
Dedicate a specific hour of the event where any ticket, food, or game sale proceeds go entirely toward the charity. Promote it ahead of time to encourage attendance during that hour.
Matching Donations
Work with corporate sponsors to match donations made by attendees, effectively doubling the impact of each gift.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating philanthropy into your holiday event can add meaningful value to the experience, attract more attendees, and support a good cause. Each of these ideas can help amplify the holiday spirit of giving while providing extra value and a memorable experience for your guests.
