1. Project Description: Bingo Night With a Purpose

We organized a Bingo Night event on June 3rd, 2025 from 6pm to 7:30om, at DePaul University’s Schmitt Academic Center. The event served a twofold purpose: generating funds for Catholic Charities USA and generating awareness of career opportunities in skilled trades among the underrepresented and lower-income population. The activity was kept simple, interactive, and mission-focused. We charged $5 per ticket, provided unlimited rounds of bingo, and provided prizes ranging from pasta and cooking baskets to gift cards, beauty kits, and more. The idea was to have a social, low-key environment where students could raise money for a good cause and have fun. We had plenty of feedback from attendees which was overwhelmingly positive with many expressing appreciation for the charity we decided on. The proceeds from the event were donated in full to Catholic Charities USA in order to help further their mission to serve vulnerable populations across the country. 

 

2. Information about the Charity: Catholic Charities USA

Our beneficiary, Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), is a 501(c)(3) charity that has been a pillar of American social support since its establishment in 1910. CCUSA offers food aid, housing, and disaster assistance nationwide. More significantly for our project’s topic, the organization also addresses vocational readiness, collaborating with local agencies to enable people to gain access to trade schools, apprenticeships, and career progression opportunities. In so many ways, the poverty-stricken neighborhoods where college just isn’t in the cards financially, the opportunities provided by programs such as these give a life-changing opportunity at stability and success. Much of CCUSA’s success comes from its thousands of dedicated volunteers who assist with distribution, resume building workshops and more which makes it a true community-powered organization.

 

Website: catholiccharitiesusa.org

Donation Link: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/ways-to-give/give-now/

Phone Number: (703) 549‑1390

 

3. Measuring Success: Objectives vs. Outcomes

The goals that were established were relatively straightforward:

• Raise donations of $500
• Host 60 guests
• Raise awareness of trade careers and CCUSA’s mission

 

We drew a total of $230 and hosted 16 guests, and while the numbers fell short of our better hopes, the evening was still a success. Students were engaged actively, and the revenues went directly to a well-known charity. More importantly, guests left with an improved understanding of the reason for the night. Guests questioned, participated willingly, and appreciated the effort and cause. Our staff arranged the event seamlessly, and we were solution-driven when immediate decisions needed to be made, such as repairing a last-minute room change and accepting unforeseen payment mediums like PayPal.

 

4. Project Management Lessons

Planning the event gave us direct experience of managing a project from beginning to end. We encountered both expected task and unexpected issues that taught us several key lessons in project management. Important lessons were brought out:

 

• Start Promotion Early and Use Multiple Channels: We learned the hard way that flyers and word-of-mouth are not enough. Teams should in future events use emails, social media, and class announcements to reach more people. Overall, we should have looked more into partnering with student organizations in order to boost awareness. We also should have given ourselves at least 3 weeks of promotion and given out weekly if n0ot daily reminders. 

• Clarify the Message: Some students who learned about Bingo Night were uncertain whom the fundraiser was supporting. Messaging is crucial. Upcoming teams can be louder and more consistent in clarifying the cause so participants appreciate the impact of their contribution. This highlights how even small communication gaps can weaken a campaign’s impact. 

• Stay Flexible and Responsive: Challenges like a sudden venue change or limited payment options, if unaddressed, could have derailed the event. What made the difference for us is staying calm and thinking on our feet to keep things running, since flexibility is essential when managing real-time logistics. Thirty minutes before the event our assigned room was changed from 160 to 161 and we had to redirect people quickly and assign someone outside the door. We learned that a strong contingency plan such as having a backup payment plan and extra flyers to place in front of the new room can make or break an event when things don’t go as planned.

 

5. Advice for Future Teams

In regards to advice for future project teams, here is what we learned:

• Choose a format you can manage efficiently. Bingo Night worked because it was simple, scalable, and fun. Choose an event format that fits your availability and budget so that you can focus on making it meaningful.
• Choose the right partner. Catholic Charities USA was communicative, collaborative, and like-minded. Having a mature, mission-driven organization brought credibility to our effort.
• Communicate and work together on a constant basis. Our crew made it through because everybody pulled their own weight and stayed current. Provide clear assignments, use shared tools, and check in regularly to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

 

In the end, Bingo Night was more than a game night. It was a student-led initiative to raise consciousness, benefit a reputable charity, and remind our campus community that there are ways to help create careers for those in need. With appropriate support, those avenues can develop long-lasting, impactful change. Through this event we were able to spotlight the mission of Catholic Charities USA and highlight the importance of creating opportunities for individuals who lack access to traditional educational paths.