How To Hold A Wheelchair Van Fundraiser

Learn the basics on how to hold a handicap van fundraiser to buy a mobility van or modify an existing minivan to be handicap accessible with a ramp or lift. A fundraiser is great as a standalone event or to supplement money that may be received through handicap van grants or wheelchair van loans. Fundraisers can be held by the wheelchair user, family, friends, or you can investigate if your community outreach programs, churches, or other groups of individuals-for-a-cause can rally to help their congregation, club and/or family member(s). Whether you do it yourself or a group effort is being made, read below to learn the basics on how to hold a fundraiser to buy a wheelchair van or modify an existing minivan to be handicap accessible with a ramp or lift.

A fundraiser is a labor of love, and before attendees donate any money, other participants – volunteers, sponsors, etc. – donate their own valuable time, goods and services to its formation. There’s a lot to consider as you plan a wheelchair van fundraiser...

Step 1: Brainstorm.

Get some ideas down on paper for a theme for the fundraising before you begin organizing people. What kind of mobility van fundraiser to throw may be influenced by the wheelchair user's favorite hobby… If it’s “sewing”, then a costume party could be fun; “brewing beer” might lead to a tasting event, etc. Another source of inspiration could be if an advantageous sponsor offers, for instance, an outdoor lot and water for a car wash, or access to a playing field for a sports tournament. (If you decide to hold an outdoor event, consider the season and likelihood of inclement weather.) Keep in mind a reasonable price range for your audience. Would they attend a ritzy dinner in a ballroom? Or would they be happy with a spaghetti social?

As you’re deciding a theme for the wheelchair van fundraiser, hunt for recruits to help put it together. Enthusiastic volunteers can be beneficial in many ways -- their help is free; their enthusiasm can inspire others to join in the preparation; their help is free; they can network and spread the word; their help is free; and more. A lot of potential labor could even influence the theme choice: Cleanup teams for lawn work and houses!

Step 2: Form a committee to coordinate the wheelchair van fundraising effort.

People must be contacted, materials gathered, progress tracked, sponsors courted, and venues scouted. Go over the following with your team:

• Decide who will be in charge of each role of the wheelchair accessible van fundraiser. Delegate multiple tasks to each person if you have few volunteers.
• Make a list of all people involved, their role(s), and their contact info. Have the secretary distribute the list to all.
• Discuss the Ideas for the Wheelchair Van Fundraiser, your thoughts, their suggestions if any. If you have a hard time deciding on what’s best, consider combining ideas or having everyone write down on a piece of paper their vote for favorite. A good way to narrow down choices is to consider what money can be gained from each. You can also ask people to think about the resources that they have access to that may be available for the event.
• Evaluate potential venues. Tour the places to be sure there is ample room and parking spaces.
• Discuss any official paperwork that may be needed, such as permits or licenses (for health authority, food service, etc.). Apply for documents as far in advance as possible.
• Tell everyone to get the word out!
• After you decide on the location, if you can’t get enough volunteers to handle its crowd control, food prep, cleanup, and whatever else may be necessary, inquire at your sponsor businesses if any staff might be available, for some compensation.
• Alternative to a local event, some fundraisers can be held online only. Consider asking people to donate items they no longer need, to be sold on eBay, for example.

Step 3: Consider opening a bank account.

Name the account a clear, descriptive name. For example, "Joe Smith's Wheelchair Van Donation Fund." Some banks have special perks for fundraisers as well - ask.

Step 4: Build a wheelchair accessible van fundraiser website.

This step is certainly not required but is helpful and gives everyone a central place to refer people. Ask around to see who has web skills and can put up a website. You can even get online donation boxes for causes through sources such as Paypal, who offer Online Fundraising Tools (including a website creation tool).

Step 5: Inform the community and local businesses, advertise. Advertise. Advertise!

Volunteers aren’t the only way to inform an audience about an upcoming fundraiser, there are other free and nearly-free methods of advertising. Your local media outlets (television and radio) often perform PSAs, and may be happy to promote your event. Similarly, some local businesses have changeable signage and could display your message for a day. Your team can hang flyers around town in storefronts, churches, community centers, and on designated bulletin boards. Take to the social networking sites and create a central hub of accessible information and opportunities to discuss the wheelchair accessible van cause you’re raising funds for and other related topics.

Sponsors of your event can underwrite its costs in exchange for free advertising or other perks. If they can cover the expenses, your ticket sales are profit; correspondingly, if your ticket sales cover the cost of putting together the wheelchair accessible van fundraiser, then anything donated by sponsors is a bonus! And by ‘anything’, sponsor help doesn’t have to be monetary. Possible venues and materials were already mentioned above as examples; other contributions could be party favors, raffle prizes, food and beverage, or even hotel or airfare if your honoree needs to travel.

Step 6: Thank everyone for their involvement.

After the wheelchair accessible van fundraiser, don’t forget Thank You notes, preferably handwritten, to the volunteers, sponsors, and donors. Goodwill goes a long way, especially if you plan to do this all again!

Upload photos from the event to your official website, as well as of the recipient with his/her new wheelchair van once success has been attained!