Cornhole Bags and Fundraising: How to Host a Charity Cornhole Tournament
Cornhole, a beloved lawn game, offers a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for a charitable cause while having fun. Hosting a charity cornhole tournament is a great way to bring the community together and generate financial support for a good cause. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to organize a successful charity cornhole tournament.
Step 1: Define Your Cause
Choose a charity or cause that you are passionate about and want to support. This could be a local charity, a national organization, a medical research fund, or any other cause that resonates with your community.
Step 2: Set a Date and Location
Select a date for your tournament that doesn't conflict with other local events and gives you enough time to plan. Decide on a suitable location, such as a park, community center, or sports facility, and ensure you have any necessary permits.
Step 3: Plan Your Tournament
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Tournament Format: Decide on the format, whether it's a single-elimination tournament, double-elimination, or a round-robin style event.
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Team Registration: Determine how many teams can participate and set the registration fees. Consider offering early bird discounts to encourage early sign-ups.
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Prizes: Plan prizes for the winning teams. These can be trophies, cash prizes, or sponsored items.
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Rules and Regulations: Clearly outline the rules of the tournament, including bag specifications and gameplay guidelines. Follow standard cornhole rules to ensure fairness.
Step 4: Promote Your Event
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Create a Website or Social Media Page: Build a dedicated website or social media page for your tournament. Share information about the cause, event details, and registration.
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Local Media: Reach out to local newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations to promote your event. They may provide free coverage or advertising.
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Fliers and Posters: Design fliers and posters to display in local businesses, community centers, and public spaces.
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Online Ticketing: Use online ticketing platforms to manage registrations and collect fees. This makes it easy for participants to sign up and pay.
Step 5: Gather Cornhole Equipment
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Cornhole Boards: Ensure you have enough cornhole boards for the tournament. Consider borrowing, renting, or asking local businesses to sponsor or lend boards.
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Cornhole Bags: Acquire a sufficient number of cornhole bags. Consider reaching out to bag manufacturers for donations or sponsorship.
Step 6: Event Day Preparation
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Check-In Desk: Set up a check-in desk where participants can register, pay fees, and receive their tournament schedule.
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Food and Refreshments: Arrange for food and refreshment vendors or consider selling snacks and drinks to raise additional funds.
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Music and Entertainment: Create a lively atmosphere with music and entertainment to keep participants and spectators engaged.
Step 7: Fundraising Activities
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Raffles and Silent Auctions: Collect items for raffles or silent auctions, with proceeds going to the charity.
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Donation Booths: Set up booths where participants and attendees can make additional donations.
Step 8: The Tournament
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Welcoming Speech: Start the tournament with a welcoming speech, emphasizing the cause and thanking participants for their support.
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Brackets and Schedule: Announce the tournament brackets and schedule, and keep participants informed of their match times.
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Scorekeepers and Referees: Ensure you have volunteers or hired referees to keep score and ensure fair play.
Step 9: Post-Tournament Activities
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Award Ceremony: Conclude the tournament with an award ceremony, recognizing the winning teams and thanking all participants for their support.
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Fundraising Total: Announce the fundraising total and express gratitude to the community for their contributions.
Step 10: Follow-Up and Thank You
After the tournament, send out thank-you notes and updates on the charity's work to all participants, sponsors, and donors. Share the impact of their contributions and express your appreciation for their support.
A charity cornhole tournament is not only a fun and social event but also a meaningful way to make a difference in your community. By combining a popular game with a good cause, you can raise funds and awareness while fostering a sense of community and philanthropy.