Event giveaways are proven to engage attendees, build brand awareness, and leave a lasting impression. Whether you're handing out free merchandise to conference attendees, offering valuable prizes in an exclusive raffle for charity golf tournament participants, or enticing gala attendees with the chance to win a weekend getaway, a well-executed giveaway can turn a good event into a memorable one. However, such giveaways can only achieve their intended purpose when planned and executed properly. 

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To help your organization maximize these opportunities, this guide outlines key best practices for planning and executing successful giveaways at your next event.

Alt text: Event giveaway best practices (as explained below). 

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1. Define Your Giveaway’s Goals and Purpose

Before diving into the logistics of a giveaway, it’s crucial to determine what you hope to achieve. While all giveaways share a common structure, the specific approach should align with your event’s goals and target audience, as certain formats are better suited to engaging audiences or prompting action.

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Here are some examples of how giveaways can serve different purposes:

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• Increase brand awareness. Distribute affordable branded items like tote bags, t-shirts, or water bottles to all attendees of your event. These items can serve as walking advertisements long after the event ends.
• Enhance member appreciation. Show gratitude and engage key stakeholders, longtime donors,  or loyal supporters with personalized thank-you gifts, such as a leather-bound journal, a custom video, or an addition to a recognition plaque.
• Drive engagement during the event. Encourage participation through raffles where attendees earn entries by completing specific actions, such as RSVPing, sharing the event on social media, participating in event activities, or winning gamified challenges.
• Promote your cause. Choose mission-aligned giveaways, like reusable shopping bags for a sustainability-focused nonprofit or seed packets for an environmental organization.

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By clarifying your giveaway’s purpose, you can tailor the format and prizes to have maximum impact.

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2. Prioritize Quality

The quality of your giveaways reflects your organization’s values and professionalism. High-quality items—physical and otherwise—make a positive impression and extend your brand’s visibility. Cheap or poorly made giveaways and low-value prizes, on the other hand, can detract from your credibility.

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Ensure you’re sourcing quality items that resonate with your audience by following these tips:

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• Gain a better understanding of your audience by surveying past or prospective attendees or analyzing feedback from past events to determine which prizes are most appealing.
• Only work with reputable vendors and trusted suppliers who can deliver durable and well-crafted items.
• Review past events to see which items were the most popular or well-received. 
• Opt for practical and memorable items that attendees will use; for instance, this could look like high-end notebooks, stylish drinkware, or premium gift cards.

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3. Source Memorable Items for Less

A successful giveaway doesn’t have to break the bank or ding your budget. With creative sourcing strategies, you can deliver high-impact prizes while staying within budget. Here’s how:

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• Collaborate with sponsors. Instead of or in addition to a cash donation, ask corporate sponsors to contribute valuable in-kind items for your giveaways. For instance, a golf tournament sponsor could provide items like premium golf clubs or a gift certificate to a local pro shop that could be raffled off.
• Seek donations from local businesses. Approach businesses in your community for prize donations. Local restaurants, salons, boutiques, and shops may welcome the chance to promote their goods or services while supporting your cause.
• Think ahead and invest in reusable items. Buy versatile items in bulk, such as blank t-shirts or reusable tote bags. You can customize them later to suit future events, reducing waste and maximizing resources.

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These strategies help you source high-quality, desirable giveaway items while fostering positive relationships between your nonprofit, sponsors, and community partners.

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4. Use the Right Tech

Technology can streamline your event attendees’ experience and how you execute giveaways. From online sign-ups to digital raffles, tech tools offer convenience and efficiency for both organizers and participants. Tech allows you to seamlessly engage all audiences, both in-person and online. You can easily integrate technology in your event giveaways by:

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• Leveraging online platforms, an event website, or a dedicated app to manage silent auctions, raffles, or other selection-based giveaways.
• Placing scannable QR codes throughout your event venue to allow attendees to enter contests or claim prizes using their smartphones for easy mobile access.
• Offering virtual prizes like e-gift cards, digital memberships, or exclusive virtual experiences as prizes for hybrid or online events.
• Using event apps with built-in features for giveaways, which allows attendees to participate with just a few taps. For instance, if you’re holding a charity golf tournament, use a live scoring app to collect teams’ scores and its push notifications to notify the field of the prize drawing winners.

Next Steps for Event Giveaway Success

As your nonprofit plans its events, from galas to conferences to golf fundraisers, ensure your giveaways are impactful and well-received by:

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• Creating custom sponsorship pitches. Highlight the visibility and promotional benefits sponsors will receive by contributing to your giveaway. Tailor your pitch for each prospective sponsor to align with their marketing or philanthropic goals.
• Gathering audience feedback. After your event, send a survey to all attendees to help you better understand what they enjoyed most and what could be improved for future event giveaways.
• Evaluating results. Analyze the event’s participation rates, engagement metrics, and attendee feedback to determine whether your giveaway met its goals and determine how you can improve future events.

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Giveaways are more than just free items—they’re strategic tools for driving engagement, building relationships, and amplifying your organization’s mission. By setting clear goals, prioritizing quality, sourcing smartly, and leveraging technology, you can ensure your giveaways leave a lasting impression on your audience.

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