Summer Fundraising Ideas for the Performing Arts That Really Work

As the warm weather, vacation plans and poolside drinks beckon, you may not be thinking about the success of your theatre and its programming right about now. And hey, that’s fair – everyone deserves a break! However, you may be missing out on some lucrative theatre fundraising opportunities during these summer months.

We know what you’re thinking: Summer is a tricky time to engage patrons, especially if you aren’t offering any new showcases in the next couple of months. However, hosting unique and dynamic theatre fundraising events that break the mold during these summer months are a surefire way to raise capital and set your theatre up for success come fall. If you aren’t sure where to start, On The Stage offers several summer fundraising ideas for the performing arts that really work. 

Summer Fundraiser Ideas

Car Wash

An oldie but a goodie, car washes are a cost-effective, relatively simple, and tried-and-true way to raise money for your theatre. If you’re gunning to host a car wash this summer, here are some logistics to think through before you start marketing the event:

• Your Venue: You’ll need a large parking lot to effectively manage the flow of traffic and the run-off water from your washes. Additionally, you’ll need to be close to a water source. Consider asking a local business if you’re able to use their parking lot for the afternoon. While it may seem like it’s just a one-sided favor to you, you’ll actually be drawing attention to their business and increasing car and foot traffic. 
• Your Materials: You’ll need soap, water, buckets and rags to ensure you’re effectively cleaning your clients’ cars. Additionally, make sure your team has sunscreen, protective clothing/accessories, and plenty of drinking water! 
• Your Advertising Efforts: You can’t expect people to turn into a car wash without some signage! Get your team together to create flashy, eye-catchy signs to lure in new customers. 
• Your People: Make sure you have enough volunteers or staffers to work the event. The last thing you want is a long line of cars and only three folks at the ready to help you.

Community Pair-Ups

Whether you’re a seasoned networking pro or are still working on firming up your business relationships, now is the time to flex those muscles to help in your theatre fundraising journey. Teaming up with area businesses, community partners, or other creatives in your area to raise money for your theatre is an excellent way to engage your community this summer.

A few businesses you could tap for a cross-promotional fundraiser include:

• Local restaurants 
• Area creatives and influencers 
• Other community theatres or school programs 
• Clothing stores and boutiques 
• Local nonprofits 

By teaming up with other partners on your fundraising journey, you’re able to:

• Expand your audience to welcome in your partner’s built-in clientele 
• Increase your funding opportunities with these new audiences
• Cross-promote your business and the business of your partner 
• Build stronger community relationships and strengthen your reputation 
• Share and receive resources and skills that are only available through communication and collaboration 

A Text or Virtual Campaign

Another great summer fundraising idea that requires minimal effort is a text or virtual campaign. By eschewing in-person commitments – for your team, yourself, and your patrons – you lower the participation threshold and allow people near and far to contribute to your theatre. 

Text and virtual campaigns have a variety of benefits, including:

• Minimal Overhead: You don’t have to rent a venue, organize volunteers, or buy any supplies.
• Faster Set-Up: Campaigns in the digital realm can be launched quickly and adjusted based on immediate feedback.
• Broader Scope: You can reach donors around the city, state, and country as opposed to tying your money-raising efforts to a specific location.
• Real-Time Analytics: You’re able to track how many people donate, click on your marketing efforts, or share your links, meaning you can fine-tune your efforts for next time.
• 24/7 Availability: Text and virtual campaigns mean you can receive donations anytime. 

Summer Programming 

As we mentioned before, you may think that engaging your patrons during the summer months will be tough because you have nothing to advertise to them. So why not change that?  Indeed, creating summer programming helps you flex your creative muscles, raise money, and keep your patron’s engaged all in one fell swoop.

If you aren’t sure what kind of summer programming to host, here are a few ideas:

• Summer Stock Productions: Less work than two-act musicals and dense plays, summer stock shows can help you keep your patron base engaged during lulls and give your actors and tech crew work during the summer months.
• Outdoor Theatre in the Park:  People want to be out and about during the summer, so consider hosting some theatre in the round or outdoor performances, even if they’re just short, 20 minute shows.
• Theatre Camps: Whether they run for a couple of days, a week, a month, or longer, summer camp programming is a great way to engage with your community and raise money doing it.
• Workshops: Hosting workshops, whether for young actors, improv hopefuls, or skilled tech workers, gives you theatre a chance to establish greater credibility and create lasting relationships with community members.
• Open Mic Nights: Host open mic fundraisers, where participants can sing a song, recite a monologue, or tell a story.

Galas

If you have the time, the staff, and the financial power, consider hosting a summer gala event for your theatre to raise money, increase community awareness of your theatre, and give yourself and your team an excuse to dress up! Galas offer hosts innumerable ways to raise money. A few ways to capitalize on a gala’s money-making powers include:

• Selling Tickets and VIP packages: Obviously, one of the main ways to raise money both before and at a gala is by selling tickets for entry, as well as VIP experiences like a reserved table, early venue access, free photographs, drink tickets, merchandise, etc. Pro Tip: Charge slightly less for tickets purchased in advance as opposed to at-the-door to incentivize attendance.
• Hosting an Auction: People love to bid on great prizes, so consider auctioning off season ticket subscriptions, a signed playbill or show poster, VIP season ticket perks, free concessions and more.
• Acquiring Sponsorships: If you’re hosting a swanky gala, you’ll likely need some financial help. That’s why securing sponsorships is of the utmost importance. You trade capital for exposure at your event, and could even get more than one sponsor to represent different tables, the bar, or specific event segments. 
• Including Raffles and Prize Drawings: During your programming or before your gala, consider selling separate raffle tickets to raise additional money. 

How On The Stage Can Help

Hosting any kind of fundraising event can be daunting – but with the right tools and the right partner, you’ll be a fundraising pro in no time. If you want to streamline the process and help raise more money, partner with On The Stage.

On The Stage (OTS) combines a fully integrated suite of tools and resources for theatre and the performing arts with everything needed to control your own operational and financial management, letting you focus on making great art. Additionally, we offer helpful eBooks to guide you on your journey, like the 5 Inspiring Theatre Fundraising Campaigns eBook available for download. If you’re looking for a little more guidance, book a personalized demo today.