> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hacktogether.guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hacktogether.guide/getting-started/fundraising-tips.md).

# Fundraising Tips

Having an organization that can receive donations is helpful, but absolutely not required to pull off a great event. You're basically hosting a party with computers, just a space, internet, and food are all that's really needed to ensure a hackathon WILL happen, and these tips can get you started:

* Get a free venue (most important first step!) usually someone’s tech company has a giant all-hands space and they can sign up to host for free.
* Invite tech companies, especially developer products, to donate free software, press contacts, or individual concrete expenses like “can you sponsor $1k for food?”
* Once you have a host and a sponsor or two, note that to other potential sponsors in your emails and meetings by name, solves the “first penguin problem.” 
* If you don’t have a sponsor org to channel nonprofit donations through, asking for in-kind donations of stuff like paying a food bill or sending refreshments via delivery service tends to be easier for donors.