Press Release Examples for Nonprofits and Charity Events
As a nonprofit leader, you know the challenge of getting attention for your organization and its cause. Between tight budgets and busy news cycles, spreading the word about your events and initiatives can feel impossible.
But you have a powerful tool at your disposal: the charity press release. When done right, press releases for nonprofits and charity events can help build awareness and inspire action without breaking the bank.
Why Nonprofits and Charity Events Need Press Releases
Press releases give nonprofits a direct line to media outlets, donors and volunteers. They are a key outreach tool to help you share your story, highlight your impact and build credibility with key audiences. A strong nonprofit press release and solid distribution strategy can lead to media coverage that spreads your message far beyond your current network.
For charity events, particularly fundraising events, press releases can drive attendance and donations. They create buzz around your event, explain why it matters and make it easy for people to get involved. You can also use fundraiser press releases to summarize your event, thank sponsors and recognize key supporters publicly.
Key Elements of a Charity Press Release
Your press release should follow AP style and include all standard elements to look professional. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the must-have components for any charity press release template.
Headline: Your headline should grab attention while showing your story’s impact in under 100 characters. Focus on the difference you make rather than just stating news.
Dateline: Start with your city and date, like “CHICAGO, December 15, 2024.” For organizations with multiple locations, use your headquarters location.
Lead paragraph: Open with the five Ws: who, what, when, where and why. Make them count by focusing on why the reader should care about your news.
Body content: Break your story into short paragraphs that flow naturally from your lead, with each paragraph building on the last. Share your initiatives, program features and updates while weaving in success stories.
Data: Back up your story with two or three powerful statistics that underscore the effectiveness of your narrative, whether it’s the number of people helped or program outcomes.
Call to action: Make it easy to take action with clear links to donate, volunteer or sign up. For example, charity event press releases might link to a registration form.
Boilerplate: Sum up your organization’s story in a boilerplate paragraph about who you are and what you do. Share your mission, founding year and major achievements.
Contact information: List one primary media contact with their phone and email. Include your website and social media handles where people can learn more.
Visuals: Choose multimedia that shows your organization in action. Pick strong images or videos that capture your work, along with your logo for media use.
Tips for Writing a Charity Event Press Release
While all nonprofits can follow the template above, charity events face unique challenges in getting noticed. Here’s how to make a press release for a charity event stand out and drive real results.
Start Strong
Your headline and first paragraph must grab attention fast. Focus on the human impact of your event, not just logistics. Share a compelling statistic about the need you’re addressing. The best charity event press release examples hook readers with an emotional story about someone you’ve helped. Make the stakes clear right away.
Include Inspiring Quotes and Stories
Any charity press release should include quotes from multiple perspectives. For events, share a short success story that shows your impact. Let beneficiaries explain in their own words how you’ve helped or add volunteer testimonials about why they support you. The right quotes will engage your audience and make them want to attend your event.
Highlight Your Purpose and Impact
Connect your event directly to your mission. Explain exactly how attending helps your cause. Share specific examples of what different donation levels can accomplish. Highlight past successes to build confidence. Show how this event fits into your larger goals.
Mobilize Support with a Strong CTA
Make it very clear how to register for your event. Consider an offer, like early bird pricing or a small gift for the first registrations, to drive signups. Include a donation link or volunteer signup link for those who can’t attend. And don’t forget to provide social sharing links to spread the word.
Press Release Examples for Charity Events
Each type of charity event announcement requires a slightly different approach to reach the right audience and drive action. Let's examine some successful fundraising press release examples and break down what makes them work.
Annual Gala
This nonprofit press release example promotes Well Aware’s annual gala by leading with 15 years of impact in providing clean water before flowing into event details. By connecting the gala directly to its mission’s impact and sharing specific success metrics, the release makes supporting the cause attractive to both potential donors and media outlets.
Example: Well Aware Celebrates 15 Years of Impact at Annual Gift of Water Gala
Donation Drives
The goal of any donation drive is to get as many donations as possible. To do that, your press release needs to be engaging. This charity event press release example shows how PR Newswire's SocialBoost tool and multimedia elements can amplify a campaign's reach. By combining clear donation instructions at multiple giving levels with shareable content, the release makes it effortless for both shoppers and media outlets to spread the word.
Example: Natural Grocers Launches Annual Holiday Food Bank Fundraiser and Food Drive
Community Events
This local charity press release builds excitement for a free community EarthX event by focusing on local environmental impact and easy accessibility. With clear details about timing, location and accepted items, plus meaningful quotes from community partners, it gives both residents and media outlets a compelling reason to be invested.
Example: EarthX Hosts Free Community Event: Recycling Day on November 16, 2024
Maximize Attendance at Your Next Charity Event
A well-crafted charity press release can transform your fundraising event from good to great. It helps you reach new audiences, engage donors and create buzz that drives attendance. PR Newswire helps nonprofits of all sizes share their stories effectively, from charity events to your impact on the community.
Our distribution network reaches journalists and outlets worldwide, and our expert team can help polish your press release for maximum impact. Ready to make your next charity event a success? Get started with PR Newswire today.
FAQs About Charity Press Releases
Are press releases effective for fundraising?
Yes, nonprofit press releases help these organizations reach donors and drive donations. They build credibility by getting media coverage for your cause. Press releases also make it easy for people to learn how to give to your organization.
How do I announce a charity event?
Send a press release for a charity event to local media four to six weeks before your event. Share event details, explain the impact and include registration information. Follow up with reminders as the date gets closer.
How do you write a press release for a community event?
The best press release examples for charity events in the community focus on how your event benefits the local community. Include quotes from community leaders and details about the local impact. Make it easy for community members to participate and spread the word.
Events are one of the most rewarding reasons to send a press release, but they’re not the only reason to promote your nonprofit. If you need more inspiration for nonprofit press release topics, download 10 Newsworthy Reasons to Send a Press Release. You’ll find plenty of press release ideas, tips and tricks to get each one noticed.