If you’re a school or organization looking to host a unique and engaging fundraiser, food trucks might be the perfect option. Not only do food trucks bring a festive atmosphere to your event, but they can also help you raise money in a fun, social environment. However, planning a food truck fundraiser takes careful coordination to ensure the event runs smoothly and everyone benefits.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to organizing a food truck fundraising event that will delight attendees and hit your financial goals. Plus, read on to discover great resources about food truck fundraising from DoJiggy. Let’s begin!
What We’ll Learn
- When and Where to Host the Event
- How Many Food Trucks Do You Need?
- What Are the Best Food Trucks for Fundraising Events?
- How Do the Food Trucks Get Paid?
- How Does Your Organization Make Money?
- Other Activities to Keep Attendees Engaged
- Final Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Food Truck Fundraiser
- Last Thoughts on Food Truck Fundraising
When and Where to Host the Event
Choosing the right time and location for your food truck fundraiser is crucial to its success.
- Best Time of Year: Spring and early fall are often ideal times for outdoor food truck events. The weather is pleasant, and people are more likely to attend outdoor gatherings. Be mindful of any conflicting community events or holidays that may reduce turnout.
- Ideal Location: Pick a location with plenty of space for both the food trucks and attendees. School parking lots, local parks, or open community spaces are great options. Ensure the location has ample parking and is easily accessible for attendees. Additionally, check local regulations for hosting food trucks and securing necessary permits.
How Many Food Trucks Do You Need?
The number of food trucks you’ll need depends on the expected number of attendees. A general rule of thumb is to have one food truck per 300-500 people. However, this can vary based on several factors, including:
- the type of food
- service speed
- available space
- and the length of your event
For example, if your fundraiser spans several hours, you might be able to accommodate more attendees with fewer trucks.
For larger events or events where you expect a steady stream of people throughout the day, two to five trucks are usually sufficient. Offering a variety of food options can help keep lines manageable and ensure that guests have a great experience.
What Are the Best Food Trucks for Fundraising Events?
The best food trucks for fundraising events offer crowd-pleasing options like gourmet burgers or hot dogs, tacos, wood-fired pizza, and ethnic street foods, as these tend to attract a wide audience. You’ll also want to include desserts and something sweet for after the main meal, either via an ice cream or snow cone truck or a community bake sale. Partnering with local trucks with strong community ties can also boost attendance, as locals may come out to support their favorite vendors.
How Do the Food Trucks Get Paid?
When organizing a food truck fundraiser, you’ll need to work out a financial agreement with each truck. There are typically two common models for compensating food trucks:
- Percentage of Sales Donation: In this model, the food truck agrees to donate a portion of its sales to your organization. Typically, this ranges from 10% to 20% of total sales. The truck owner still profits from food sales and your organization or school fundraiser benefits from the donation.
- Guaranteed Minimum Sales: If you’re expecting a smaller crowd or if the food truck operators are hesitant, you may need to guarantee them a minimum sales amount. For example, if a truck agrees to participate, you might guarantee $500 in sales, meaning that if their sales fall short of this amount, the organization covers the difference.
Both options allow the food trucks to make their participation worthwhile while giving your group a way to generate funds.
How Does Your Organization Make Money?
There are several ways your organization can make money during a food truck fundraising event:
- Percentage of Sales: As mentioned, the most common way is to arrange a donation from the food truck’s sales. This percentage is agreed upon beforehand.
- Entry Fee: Some schools or organizations charge a small entry fee to the event. This could be a flat amount or tiered, such as a general admission fee with optional perks like drink tickets or VIP seating.
- Sponsorships: Find local businesses that are willing to sponsor the event. In return, you can promote their brand on banners, signage, or even on the food trucks themselves. Sponsorships can cover event costs and increase your revenue.
- Silent Auctions: Silent auctions are a great way to raise money during the food truck fundraiser. Have a table with the auction baskets and items attractively displayed, and use our mobile bidding platform to streamline bids and auction payments.
- Additional Donations: Keep donation bins, QR codes for mobile donations, and raffles active throughout the event. This way, even when people have finished eating, they’ll have a reason to contribute more.
Check out our comprehensive guide on nonprofit event planning.
Other Activities to Keep Attendees Engaged
Food truck fundraisers are fun on their own, but adding extra activities can keep people around longer, increasing your chances of raising more funds. Here are some ideas.
- Live Music or Performances: Consider hiring a local band, student performers, or even a DJ to create a lively atmosphere. Live performances encourage people to stay longer and enjoy the event.
- Games and Competitions: Organize games like cornhole, ring toss, or pie-eating contests. You could also offer a Best Food Truck competition where attendees vote for their favorite truck. Charge a small fee for each activity or competition to raise additional funds.
- Raffle and Silent Auction: Partner with local businesses to offer raffle prizes or silent auction items. These activities are an excellent way to raise more money while giving attendees the chance to win something valuable.
Final Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Food Truck Fundraiser
Make sure to cover all the details that can make or break your event. Here are a few final tips to ensure everything goes smoothly.
- Promote the Event Widely: Use social media, email newsletters, flyers, and community boards to get the word out. Partner with your supporting food trucks to promote the event on their channels.
- Have Volunteers Ready: Organize a group of volunteers to help with setup, running activities, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Volunteers can also help direct traffic, manage lines, and assist food truck staff.
- Prepare for Bad Weather: Have a backup plan in case of rain. Tents or a covered area can help protect attendees and ensure the event continues despite weather issues.
Last Thoughts on Food Truck Fundraising
Following these steps and adding additional revenue boosters will make your food truck fundraiser an exciting and profitable event for your school or organization. Happy fundraising!
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