How We Fundraise for Freedom: Events That Make an Impact

For the ladies at the Advent Church in Boca Raton, FL, fundraising is a team effort. Several of their community members participate in our Challenges and are always looking for creative ways to engage their community while raising funds to set women and children on a pathway to Freedom. One of their most successful strategies has been hosting themed fundraising events—ranging from Oktoberfest celebrations to elegant Flamenco nights. These events bring people together, create memorable experiences, and, most importantly, generate the resources needed to fuel our mission.

Big Events, Big Impact: Large-Scale Fundraisers

For larger fundraising goals, they go all out. These events take place in spacious homes, feature multiple sponsorship opportunities, and involve high-end experiences.

Oktoberfest: A Tradition of Giving

Every year (except last October, when we were in Spain with Freedom Challenge), they host an Oktoberfest celebration at their church. This event is both a beloved tradition and a highly effective fundraiser.

For a $20 donation, attendees receive a ticket that includes:
✅ Appetizers, water, soda
✅ A full German dinner buffet—complete with pretzels!
✅ Access to a cash bar ($5 per drink or $10 for a beer flight) featuring beer donated by craft brewers from our church.

They also make the evening fun with entertainment, decorations, and interactive activities:
🎶 A DJ or live accordion music playing Oktoberfest classics
📺 Large-screen visuals of Oktoberfest in Germany
❓ Trivia quizzes and courtyard games (like the classic stein-holding competition!)
🎟️ A raffle table featuring 20+ baskets, expertly organized by Adriana Santovenia

With an average attendance of 100 people, Oktoberfest raises around $4,000 each year—most of which comes from bar sales and raffles.

Wine, Tapas & Flamenco Night

When the team needed to raise substantial funds for a Camino trip to Spain, we created a themed event: Wine, Tapas & Flamenco.

💃 The Experience

A stunning private venue with a dance floor
Live Flamenco music and a professional dancer
Charcuterie tables, passed hot tapas, and an empanada station
Two fully stocked bars
A luxury raffle table
Valet service and a professional photographer

💰 The Fundraising Breakdown
The majority of their funding comes from sponsors. Thanks to strong relationships with local businesses (especially builders and their subcontractors), they secure sponsorships for major event elements:

Platinum Sponsor – $15,000
Gold Sponsor – $10,000
Sponsorships for the bar, food, music, valet, and more

📊 Final Results:

Approximate expenses: $17,000
Sponsorship donations: $60,000+
Total funds raised: $70,000

Keys to Success:

✅ Inviting both church and community members—including city officials
✅ Using an online invitation platform like Punchbowl
✅ Providing thank-you bags with raffle tickets for sponsors
✅ Hiring a cleaning service for the event

Other Creative Fundraisers They’ve Hosted

✨ Denim & Diamonds – Auctioning off diamond jewelry, with a percentage of sales going to our cause.
🎲 Casino Night – Featuring vintage cars for photo ops and a high-energy atmosphere.

Our Fundraising Philosophy

At our large events, they don’t charge an entry fee. Instead, they focus on creating an unforgettable experience and making a heartfelt plea for donations during the event. To make giving easy, they always have credit card machines on-site.

A Team Effort

These events are a testament to the power of community-driven fundraising. With creativity, teamwork, and a shared passion for justice, they’re able to turn gatherings into life-changing impact.