Chili
The best times of the year to have a chili cook-off to help your organization raise funds are the winter and fall when people appreciate a nice warm cup of chili. A cook-off can be a great success if you create a nice balance of people who love to eat and people who love to show off their cooking.
Generate a Buzz
For any successful fund raising campaign you have to get the word out anyway you can think of: flyers, signs and advertising. Solicit local restaurants and businesses to participate in the cooking or to sponsor a cook. People associate chili with fire and firemen, so see if you can get the local fire department to help out.
Collect Funds
You can collect entry fees for the cooks or a flat rate at the door for guests. Another option to consider is having each cook or group of cooks set out a donation jar. Guests can put quarters in their favorite cook's jar, and the cook with the most quarters can win the crowd favorite award. You might set up a table to sell three quarters for a dollar---yes, that's right: three quarters. After all, it is a fundraiser and the crowd may be happy to comply. A combination of approaches maximizes your results.
Contestants and Judges
You and your fellow organizers can cook or ask friends and relatives if they have want to help out. You could also solicit local restaurants and ask the chefs to be your celebrity cooks. Celebrity judges can be an attraction. In most towns, the celebrities might be the mayor, chief of police or local newscasters. Decide if you want contestants to bring the chili from home or cook onsite like on many popular television programs. People love to watch others cook, but you would need the space and equipment to do that.
Prizes and Categories
Ask local businesses to donate gift cards or prizes from their businesses so you can award prizes to the winning cooks. You may also want to reward your winners with special chili trophies or plaques. You can get blank plaques at local craft stores and glue on dried chili peppers. Create different categories, such as Spiciest Chili, Judges' Favorite, Crowd Favorite and "Best Chili in Town."
Decorating and Supplies
According to FundraiserInsight.org, you should supply plenty of refreshments, common chili accompaniments like cornbread, hot sauce, shredded cheese and lots of napkins. Get everyone in the mood for the chili cook-off by decorating with chili lights, cowboy hats and piñatas. Concentrate on being festive. People having a good time are more generous.
Tags: chili cook-off, local restaurants, people love, three quarters
