Fundraising Ideas     |     2 June 2025

How to Plan an Alzheimer’s Fundraiser This Summer

Simple steps and creative ideas to organize a successful summer event and raise money for Alzheimer’s research

10 minute read

If you’ve found yourself in charge of planning an Alzheimer’s fundraiser and your first thought was, "Where do I even start?" you’re not alone. Most people doing this kind of work aren't professionals. They’re parents, caregivers, neighbors, or friends. Often, they didn’t raise their hand; they were just the ones who didn't say no.

Yet, here you are. You want to raise money for Alzheimer’s, but you're juggling time constraints, committee opinions, and a budget that might as well have been drawn in pencil. That doesn't mean it can't be done. In fact, with the right approach, you can pull off a meaningful event this summer that doesn’t drain the life out of you.

Let’s take the pressure down a notch and look at how to plan a thoughtful, creative, and manageable fundraiser, even if this isn’t your day job.

Summer is your secret weapon

There are a few good reasons why summer is one of the best times to host an Alzheimer’s fundraiser. For starters, it doesn’t fight for attention the way fall or winter events do. Summer doesn’t come with holiday traffic or school-year chaos. People are already looking for ways to gather, to get outside, and to feel like they’re doing something good with their time.

Whether you’re hosting a cookout, a garden walk, or an evening of lawn games, summer offers natural opportunities to bring your community together. The days are longer. The vibe is lighter. People tend to show up in a giving mindset.

Start with a plan that fits your reality

The phrase "how to plan a fundraiser" can send even the most organized person into a spiral. Here’s the trick: don’t overdo it. You’re not planning a black-tie gala unless you want to. A successful fundraiser is one that makes sense for your schedule, your team, and your supporters.

Start by figuring out what your goal is. That could mean raising $5,000 for Alzheimer’s research or simply introducing 100 new people to your organization. Once that’s clear, build your idea around it. Want to raise money for Alzheimer’s in a weekend? A one-day event like a neighborhood auction, a charity run, or even a local dinner night can be enough. Looking for something longer-term? A giving campaign or text-to-give drive that runs for a few weeks could be just right.

Then, identify your audience. Are you targeting families? Retirees? Local businesses? Your neighborhood HOA? Knowing who you’re talking to will help you shape everything from the tone of your invites to the timing of your event.

Match the event to your energy

Let’s be honest: not every idea is worth the work it takes. A fundraiser that leaves you burnt out before it starts isn’t going to help anyone. The sweet spot is finding an idea that has enough personality to draw people in, but not so many moving parts that you need a whiteboard and five spreadsheets to keep it straight.

Some of the best Alzheimer’s fundraiser ideas start small: a backyard wine pull with donated bottles, a "purple picnic" in a community park, a memory-themed trivia night hosted at a local restaurant, or a local art sale featuring portraits of people living with dementia paired with short bios to raise awareness. These go beyond just raising money; they build connections, and that has a ripple effect.

Silent and live auctions are especially strong formats for summer fundraisers, especially with the right tools. They can be folded into almost any event, from dinners to walks to open houses. Silent Auction Pro makes it easy to run auctions online or in person, with features like mobile bidding, text notifications, and easy self-checkout. That means less work for you and more engagement from your guests.

Give your fundraiser a personal hook

Fundraisers with heart stick in people’s minds. You don’t have to share your entire life story, but offering a personal connection to Alzheimer’s can go a long way. Maybe you’re honoring a parent or grandparent. Maybe you’re doing it for the countless families you know who don’t have the time or platform to organize something themselves.

Pair that story with a clear message about why donations matter. Want to raise money for Alzheimer’s research? Talk briefly about where the money goes. Does it help fund care programs? Support caregiver education? Push forward breakthroughs in treatment? Your audience doesn't need a stats overload; just something real they can picture.

If you don’t have a personal story, that’s okay, too. Let your event be about community support. Invite others to write who they’re remembering on signs or pin boards. Build your event around honoring many people, not just one.

Creative Alzheimer’s fundraiser ideas for summer

You’ve probably seen the same suggestions repeated over and over: walks, galas, and banquets. The best ideas are often the ones that have a twist or reflect your local flavor.

If you’re near a beach or park, consider hosting a “Forget-Me-Not” flower garden where supporters donate in honor of a loved one and plant symbolic blooms. For smaller towns, a block party with a dunk tank, cornhole tournament, and pie walk can bring people together in a way that’s playful and effective.

If you're in a city, try organizing a rooftop wine tasting or an outdoor movie night, where donations grant entry and "snack pack" tickets. Wellness-based events like yoga under the stars, morning meditation circles, or walking groups are great ways to support the mind-body theme tied to Alzheimer’s care and prevention.

Don’t overlook creative spins on digital campaigns. A photo challenge, a weekly trivia game, or a local art auction with remote bidding can still deliver strong results, especially if you're trying to reach both older donors and digital natives in one swoop.

Keep the planning process light and focused

Becoming overwhelmed happens when you try to do everything at once. Instead, think of the planning process as a series of steps. Start with the framework: what are you doing, who is it for, and when will it happen?

Next, pull together your team. Even if it’s just two or three people, delegate tasks early. One person handles ticketing. Another coordinates donations or sponsors. A third oversees promotion. If you’re working solo, use event tools that help you do more with less. Silent Auction Pro has tools that include everything from ticketing and seating management to donor tracking and automated communications.

Then, promote smartly. Use what you already have: school newsletters, church bulletins, social media, group texts, or the always-effective "talk to your neighbors" method. Keep the tone upbeat, the instructions clear, and the ask simple.

Your toolkit matters more than your timeline

Most people don’t have six months to plan, and that’s okay. Whether you have two weeks or two months, having the right support tools can save you from burnout.

Silent Auction Pro was designed for organizations just like yours. Not corporate departments. Not massive nonprofits. Regular people, often volunteers, are trying to run events with limited time and even fewer resources. With tools like mobile bidding, automated check-in, and text-to-give, you can cut down your task list and still create a polished event experience.

Using technology doesn’t mean losing your personal touch. It just means you get to spend your time connecting with your community, not troubleshooting spreadsheets.

Say what matters and say it simply

You don’t need a designer flyer or a long-winded explanation to make your fundraiser land. Talk like a human. Keep your language friendly and focused. Share who you are, why you’re doing this, and what you hope people will do.

Instead of asking someone to "consider supporting a worthy cause," say: "We’re raising money for Alzheimer’s research, and we need your help. Join us for good food, music, and an impactful summer night."

Include donation links, QR codes, or text options anywhere you promote. And always follow up with a thank-you. That part matters more than people realize.

Keep the momentum going after the event

One of the best things you can do is build a plan for what happens after the fundraiser ends. Send an update about how much was raised and how it will be used. Highlight photos, quotes, or wins from the day. Recognize donors and volunteers by name. Let people know how they can stay involved, whether that’s signing up for emails, joining a planning committee, or making a monthly gift.

Recurring donations don’t have to feel like a huge lift. Set up a simple giving campaign page that lets supporters donate once or monthly, and promote it during your event. Silent Auction Pro’s tools make this easy to set up, and you can even create a branded landing page with a custom URL.

Quick checklist for your Alzheimer’s fundraiser

Let’s recap. Planning an Alzheimer’s fundraiser this summer doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few key things to keep in mind.

• Start with a clear goal and a manageable idea
• Match the event to your audience and your energy
• Use tech tools that make your job easier, not harder
• Talk to your community like people, not prospects
• Follow up with updates, thanks, and simple next steps

With Silent Auction Pro, you don’t have to do it all alone

You said yes to organizing this Alzheimer’s fundraiser, and that already puts you ahead of most people. That doesn’t mean you should have to figure everything out from scratch. Whether you’re just exploring Alzheimer’s fundraiser ideas or you're already knee-deep in planning, Silent Auction Pro is built to make the process smoother.

Take the stress off your plate and get the support you need. Our team is friendly, responsive, and here to help you succeed. Request a free demo to see how our software works, and get matched with a personal event coach who actually gets what you’re dealing with.

You have the cause. We’ve got your back.