Event Planning 101: How to Get Funding for Events

The reality is that knowing how to get funding for events is almost as crucial as knowing how to plan them. After staging everything from Manchester charity galas to corporate awards shows for fifteen years, the people at ConnectIn Events understand that funding for events doesn’t magically appear. You hunt it down strategically.

Here’s how.

Your Proposal Makes or Breaks Everything

Nobody funds loose ideas and vague promises. When figuring out how to raise funds for an event, the proposal is everything.

Make sure to include:

●        Clear Objectives: “Raising £50,000 for Manchester youth services” beats “helping the community” every time.

●        Detailed Budget: Show exactly where money goes. ConnectIn Events once secured a £20,000 sponsor purely because their budget breakdown proved they’d sweated over every detail.

●        Audience Reach: Who attends? What’s your promotional plan? Funders want proof their investment reaches real people.

●        Sponsor ROI: Brand visibility? Speaking slots? Networking access? Whatever they get back, spell it out clearly!

Brilliant event ideas die because someone sent three wishy-washy paragraphs in an email instead of a comprehensive proposal. Don’t be that person.

Corporate Sponsorship: Your Fastest Route to Cash

When figuring out how to get funding for a charity event, corporate sponsors can deliver serious money fast. But most people ask for donations instead of offering partnerships. This is the wrong approach.

Do this instead…

Target companies whose values align with your cause. Tech firms love digital inclusion events and health brands often support wellness initiatives. Your job is to make the connection obvious.

Create tiered sponsorship packages. For example, Bronze gets logo placement, Silver adds speaking opportunities, while Gold offers VIP access and wall-to-wall venue branding.

Do the promotional work for them. Send draft social media posts they can copy-paste to LinkedIn, provide press releases ready for their internal comms team, and supply professional graphics with their logo already incorporated. When sponsors don’t have to create content from scratch, they’re far more likely to say yes AND actually promote your event.

Grants Actually Work (If You Apply Properly)

While everyone else chases sponsors, don’t overlook grant funding for events. This is often just sitting waiting for applications like yours!

Try these to get started:

●        Arts Council England: Funds cultural and community events nationwide. Their application process is thorough but fair.

●        National Lottery Community Fund: Backs projects benefiting local communities. Perfect for charity events with clear social impact.

●        Local Councils: Manchester City Council offers specific streams for cultural and charitable events. Most UK councils have similar schemes.

●        Crowdfunding: GoFundMe or Kickstarter work brilliantly for events with compelling stories and engaged audiences.

The secret to how to raise funds for an event through grants? Apply early (around 6-12 months ahead), follow guidelines precisely, and demonstrate a genuine community benefit with hard numbers.

Other Funding Routes to Consider

Early bird ticket sales. These generate cash flow months ahead, and offer real incentives (25-30% discount, VIP perks) to encourage commitment. Some planners have funded entire venue deposits this way alone.

Venue partnerships. Some Manchester venues offer reduced rates or profit-sharing for charity events. They get positive PR, you get affordable space.

In-kind sponsorship. Can’t get cash? Get services instead! Free catering, complimentary printing, donated raffle prizes, etc all reduce costs dramatically.

Attendee fundraising. Give charity event attendees personal fundraising pages. When individuals raise money themselves, it can give a welcome boost to your event’s impact.

Time to Make It Happen!

Learning how to get funding for events is a methodical process. Start your funding search at least six months before showtime then apply to multiple sources simultaneously. When following up, be persistent but professional.

Perhaps the most important bit? Tell a compelling story. Funders invest in visions and impact, not spreadsheets.

Finally, track everything. ConnectIn Events maintains a funding tracker showing: source, amount requested, application deadline, decision date, and outcome. Sounds boring, but it’s saved the day countless times when juggling multiple funding applications.

Your event deserves proper funding. The money’s out there; you just need the right strategy to access it.

Planning a charity or corporate event that needs serious impact? Manchester’s ConnectIn Events create unforgettable experiences across the UK. They handle everything from planning and logistics to execution.

Contact them today to make your vision reality.