I am planning an ice cream social fundraiser. How do I start planning and what do I need?

The fundraiser could have up to 500 people. It will most likely be held outside.

You need to make it a competition. Get other ice cream wannabe chef's involved. If, 500 other people/kids are going to be there, then, you need to get samples... THEN, JUDGE ! Let everyone donate to taste(at the door).

Generally all you need is ice cream, whip cream, chocolate, strawberry & caramel syrup and various types of sprinkles. Oh yeah and don't forget the cherry! The easiest thing is to have vanilla ice cream that way you don't have to worry about running out of chocolate, etc.

Now, if you have a local company that can donate the ice cream that's even better. Call them up and find out who you need to talk to regarding donations. Make sure when you call this person that you have all your information such as your organization, what the fundraiser is for, the date & time, etc. And if you have a non-profit number for tax deductible contributions make sure to provide this to the donor. Where I live, Clover donates ice creams to various functions.

If you can get a ice cream supplier, than I would contact the various grocery stores in your area for the sprinkles, whip cream, syrup, bowls, spoons & napkin donations. If you don't have a supplier for the ice cream maybe pick one grocery store to donate the ice cream and others for your other supplies. And don't forget to contact local drug stores for the paper product donations as well.

And there's always cash donations from local merchants to purchase the items that you don't have, pay for advertising (unless you can get free advertising from your local paper or radio station), etc.

It's a lot of work, I've done it before as well as organize PTA sponsored carnivals, bingos, etc. Good luck & have fun!

1. Location.

2. Seed money, to pay for advertising, tickets, supplies, other costs. Try to get a local merchant to donate in exchange for some free publicity.

3. A pricing plan. $20 per ticket, or bring lots of friends and get six tickets for $100.

4. An event program. Contests, awards, raffle, local celebrity speakers, music?

5. Once you know all of the above, a publicity plan. Print flyers. Who do you want to reach, and how do you get to them?

6. Volunteers. Servers, ticket takers, raffle supervisors, emcees, whatever.

7. Last, because it is easy in your case, food and beverages. Wait to see what your ticket sales are going to turn out like, because it can make a big difference in how you order and stock your food supplies and decide on your floor plan and table layout.

Good luck! Send me a banana split?

First set objectives.
Using those objectives decide how many supplies you need.
Also judge the size of your social so you can find a good place to host it.
Obtain the supplies (ice cream, bowls, spoons, freezer or cooler, donation box, tables, and chairs).
Invite everyone you want to come, and enjoy.
Good luck.