If you’re trying to plan a charity event, finding an idea that’s genuinely engaging and logistically simple can be tough. Sure, those fancy, multi-course dinners and gruelling endurance races are fine, but let’s be real – the fundraisers that actually succeed are the ones where you can include everyone, no special skills required. Accessible, light-hearted fun. Enter mini golf.
A mini golf charity tournament? It’s charming, exciting, and an easy sell for your cause. You literally just need a putter and a willingness to laugh at yourself. The whole setup – colourful balls, those ridiculous loop-de-loops, and quirky obstacles – instantly creates a relaxed atmosphere. That relaxation encourages participation, sparks a little friendly competition (which is always good), and loosens those purse strings for generous donations.
Here is the fundraising plan you need to guarantee a successful, enjoyable mini golf event. You’ll definitely sink that hole-in-one for your charity.
Step 1: Figure Out Your Core Mission
Every great plan needs clear objectives. Before you pick up the phone and book a single thing, you have to nail down these three essentials:
- The Cause & Goal: Who are you raising money for? And how much, specifically, are you hoping to land? A compelling, concrete project is always going to motivate potential donors way more than just a big, vague dollar amount.
- The Venue: Mini golf is perfect because it’s so versatile. You should definitely go with a local spot like What The Putt. They already have all the equipment, the setup is done, and it’s designed for events with a mini golf bar and great food. Plus, since it’s indoors, you don’t have to worry about a sudden downpour ruining your entire day.
- The Date and Time: Pick a time when the maximum number of people can actually show up! Weekends or weekday evenings usually perform best. Always cross-reference your date against major local events. You don’t want any competition stealing your crowd.
Step 2: The Money Talk (Sponsorships are Key)
The best fundraising plans always start with the finances, obviously. You need a budget outlining all your expected costs, and your corporate sponsorship drive is the single most important tool for covering those expenditures.
- Budget Overview: Think about venue cost, prizes, catering, marketing materials, and administrative costs like insurance or permits.
- The Sponsorship Ladder: Create tiered packages that appeal to different sizes of local businesses. For instance:
- Platinum – Course Sponsor: The highest donation. They get their logo on everything, a shout-out at the event, and a complimentary team entry.
- Gold – Hole Sponsor: Mid-level donation. The business name/logo is displayed prominently on one specific hole sign. This is the easiest, most popular package to sell, hands down.
- Silver – Prize Sponsor: They donate goods or services for the prize pool (think gift cards, local merch, etc.), which is a huge win for them in terms of brand exposure.
Selling those hole sponsorships? That’s the secret sauce. It’s the single most effective way to cover event costs and often gets you into profit before you’ve sold a single ticket. Approach businesses with a personalised pitch, focusing on the genuine increase in their local visibility.
Step 3: Registration and Ticket Sales
Getting people signed up needs to be simple, clean, and appealing.
- Pricing: Charge an entry fee that feels fair. Guests need to feel the perceived value is balanced with the funds they’re donating. Try offering group bundles, a discount for early birds, or even student rates.
- Teams Over Individuals: Seriously, push for team sign-ups (groups of four is standard). It simplifies the scheduling nightmares, makes the event more social, and also sweetens the deal for your ‘Hole Sponsorship’ partners when their own teams attend.
- Online Platform: Use a dedicated event ticketing system. It manages sales automatically, tracks those registration numbers for you, and collects the essential participant info (names, emails) without fuss.
Step 4: Making the Day Unforgettable
The actual event day should feel seamless, joyous, and fun.
- Pick a Theme: This is a cheap way to turn a simple fundraiser into a standout experience people remember. Think costumes, glow-in-the-dark golf, or maybe just lean into a holiday theme if your date lines up.
- The Check-in: Set up a simple table near the entrance. When participants arrive, they check in, grab a name tag, a scorecard, their ball, and a putter. This is also where you quickly hand out the brief Rules Sheet.
- The Format: The “Shotgun Start”: You want to avoid a huge queue forming at the first hole. With a large crowd, use a “shotgun start.” Every team begins playing simultaneously on a different hole – this guarantees a smooth, continuous flow across the entire course.
- Prizes (Keep the Vibe Light): Don’t make it too serious. Prizes should celebrate more than just the winner:
- Lowest Overall Score: For the folks who are actually good.
- Highest Overall Score: A humorous “Most Golf” or “Least Experienced” prize.
- Hole-in-One Challenge: Charge a tiny optional fee to try on a designated, super-tricky hole for a chance at a much bigger prize.
Step 5: High-Profit Add-Ons
A truly successful fundraiser rarely stops at entry fees. You need to maximise those profits with high-margin extras:
- Raffle and Silent Auction: Collect donated goods or cool experiences (weekend getaways, restaurant vouchers, etc.) and auction them off. Make sure they are displayed clearly and attractively near the main check-in area.
- The Mulligan Pass: This is the best fundraising trick in the book! Sell “Mulligans” – a free re-putt – for $2 to $5 each. Just make sure you limit them to 2 or 3 per player so the game doesn’t get ridiculous.
Step 6: Marketing and Visibility
Your story is what sells the tickets. Focus all your marketing on the cause, not just the game.
- Visual Appeal: Use bright, captivating photos from past events, if you have them, or use graphics that really highlight the fun and the heart behind the charity.
- Social Media: Create a dedicated event page and post constantly! Thank your sponsors, tag them liberally, and share personal stories or testimonials about the charity’s impact. Use relevant hashtags.
- Local Media: Send out a quick press release to local papers, radio stations, and community blogs. These organisations love positive, local content, especially when it benefits the community – it’s free promotion for you.
A mini golf charity event is all about building community, encouraging social connections, having a blast, and fostering goodwill. No expensive equipment or specific skills are needed, which is precisely why you get maximum participation and a relaxed, natural flow.
By following this exact plan, getting enthusiastic local backing, and filling the day with joyful, light-hearted fun, your organisation can absolutely transform a classic recreational activity into a powerful, profitable fundraiser. When the final scores are counted and that big check is written, you’ll find out that all it took was a small ball and a putter to make a huge difference for your cause.
Need a venue that’s ready to go? The team at What The Putt indoor mini golf are experts at charity events. Give them a call right now to get this exciting venue locked in!
