Whether your nonprofit is looking for a great way to thank your supporters and volunteers or if you just need a new program idea for those you serve, a football Watch Party can be a great opportunity this season. To help make your planning easy, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS® has developed a Toolkit with tips and tricks for any nonprofit organization to successfully coordinate a watch party.
Not sure what to do next? Start with this timeline to turn the idea into reality. Even with tight budgets and stretched staff, you can plan an event people will be talking about.
Six weeks out: pick the game, not the date
Start with a game your community is already going to watch. The local favorites, a rivalry week matchup or even the playoffs will all be games people will be talking about whether your nonprofit hosts anything or not. That anticipation and interest are already built, and you don’t have to manufacture any of it.
Then lock in your location and target audience.
One football specific catch: kickoff times move. Games get flexed into a different window, and the 1 p.m. you planned around becomes a night game. Check the schedule again roughly 10-12 days from the date to identify the kickoff time.
Four weeks out: tell people, then tell them again
Your nonprofit can get fans excited for the game. Say where the watch party will be held, who’s playing and how they sign up.
- For residents, clients and those you serve: create a flyer and share it where they will see it, add the date to shared calendars and have your staff members spread the word.
- For supporters and volunteers: Send an email, post on social media and ask them to tell their friends. The Toolkit even has social media templates you can edit and use!
Two weeks out: sort the details
A good event is a great reflection of your nonprofit, so don’t overlook the value of a plan for duties and details. Decide who’s greeting at the door, who can problem-solve in real time and who will handle clean-up.
Think about food and beverages that people can hold easily while watching the game and keep a supply of extra seating for latecomers. Hold back some refreshments at the beginning of the event to set out just before halftime and consider how to engage your audience through halftime, as they don’t all have a halftime show.
Don’t forget to confirm the start time of your event and tell everyone. Planning for the event to start with enough time before kickoff allows guests to arrive, settle in and ensure they don’t miss a second of the game.
The week before: assign the jobs
Write down who is doing what: set-up, refreshments, greeting, problem-solving, clean-up and anything else you don’t want to forget.
Send a reminder to your list of everyone doing a job. Confirm the kickoff time one more time and communicate with everyone.
The day before: run it once
Even a busy nonprofit can carve out a little time to do a test run. Turn the TV on. Find the channel the game is actually on. Check the volume from the back of the room. Adjust the thermostat and the blinds. Charge the remote or change the batteries. Find the backup remote.
Game day: doors open before kickoff
Open the doors thirty minutes early, with the TV on and the room ready. Pregame coverage on the screen can fill the space and give people something to react to as other guests arrive.
After the final whistle: close the loop
Don’t end your event when the game is over, especially if your nonprofit wants to do this again. Take one more step:
- Send thank-you notes.
- Ask three people what they’d change. Not a survey, just three conversations.
- Note what you’d do differently while you still remember it.
If it felt like success, tell people which game you’re showing next, even if the date is loose. Use the momentum to gain support, find additional helpers or even discover new ideas.
DIRECTV NFL schedule
What the Toolkit adds
The Watch Party Toolkit was designed to maximize your limited nonprofit resources. It includes suggestions on what to watch, planning tips, promotion templates you can adapt and guidance on creating a welcoming, memorable experience for the people you serve. It’s built for staff running this on top of their actual job, which is most of you in the nonprofit sector.
The countdown to kickoff is on. The Watch Party Toolkit can help.
At DIRECTV, we know that for nonprofits, every dollar counts. That’s why we’re proud to be the only national TV provider to offer a dedicated nonprofit programming discount, helping organizations stretch resources further while still delivering comfort, connection and community. By lowering monthly costs, nonprofits can dedicate more funding to their core mission while continuing to provide the everyday experiences that make a real difference.
From treatment centers and shelters to community centers and beyond, TV plays an important role in creating a sense of normalcy and belonging. A favorite show can spark conversation, ease stress and bring people together – transforming an ordinary screen into a source of trust, storytelling and well-being.
DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS makes it possible for organizations nationwide to bring these benefits into their spaces at a reduced cost, ensuring more people feel supported when it matters most. Visit directv.com/nonprofit to learn more.
