You can’t just declare a party. You have to start by having friends, and then they invite their friends, and then they invite their friends…

I’m sure it’s not what you actually mean or think, but the way you are talking here you come across as entitled to the time and attention from everyone in your town. I could summarize this post as you saying “I did something nice for other people, so now they are required to like me.” People don’t work that way.

Anyways you seem very motivated to grow your community and I wish you the best of luck. There is a lot of good feedback in this thread.

To be blunt, you advertised it instead of organizing it

Very few people are going to show up to a game night where they don't know anyone. Especially if they don't have a vibe check from hearing about it from someone they know directly

And if there's only one person there when they show up, most people are going to feel very awkward. It's likely they'd peek through the window and bail out

You need people to buy in. You need at least a core group that will be there before the start time so people will see a game night going on if they do show up, and to spread word that its a good time. It'll grow organically from there if everyone has fun, and that's the point where you can advertise if you want to keep growing

How you find that group I can't help with, but it can't just be like an RSVP on Facebook or something. You need to communicate with people directly what you're trying to do and organize with them

I would suggest you ask the campus for permission to set up a gaming table. Do the same at other locations that will allow it. As someone else implies, organizing is a separate thing from advertising it. It takes real footwork to even get one person in.

Don't be discouraged. Keep at it. If you really care about this, just stay consistent. Nothing is guaranteed, but that rings more true the earlier you cut it off.

At least the first few times, you need a core group that you are sure will show up, and everyone needs to try to bring at least a friend. If you manage to pick up momentum then the core group becomes less critical.

These things take time to get going. You'll have to commit to 6-8 weeks before bailing.

Real people organizing is very tough. I would find some folks who you could give you a firm “yes”, even if it’s supporting you while you try to stand something up. You can try draws, like “Free Pizza” if it wasn’t clear the food was free (best draw I know in America is free food). You can try signage around the campus physically, since a lot of younger folks ignore social media / FB. Tabling in person can work really well too. You need permission, a pop up table, signage, & a positive attitude.

Don’t beat yourself up over it. Organizing irl people is one of the harder things to do in this present moment.

30 minute drive is a big ask for college kids when they can easily hold something on campus.

You mean no one from the non profit even bothered to show up? That feels disrespectful, hosting an event is a lot of work

Give it time for word to get around. People need each other now more than ever.

Do it regularly and people will slowly roll in.

You might see if you could get some already established groups to come. Like I don't know small town maybe there's like a church youth group or something or a local Club of some sort, maybe a choir, a book club, etc..

I got a Boardgame Night going at my local comic shop. Its every-other week. The first 2 nights was just me. The next 3 or 4 nights only 1 or 2 other people showed up. Its been about 6 months going now and I'm happy to say it took off finally.There are usually 2 or 3 games going at once now. Don't give up. Just keep fliering, talking about it, spreading word.

That's rough. I'm not sure if meetup is popular in your area, but reaching out to a few and having them set it up as a "joint event" or something might be helpful. All that being said, is there a possibility you can set it up at the college town and have people commute to that instead of maybe college students commuting?

Was the flyer created with AI? that turns off a lot of people now. What types of games were advertised? Did you bring any flyers to game stores or anything like that?

Old-school paper flyers seem appropriate for a vintage game competition, see if you're allowed to post any on campus.

Add public-transit directions if they aren't already there.

You said it's for a nonprofit, it might make a difference what that nonprofit is.

Sorry. :(

I couldn’t have come, but I’d have been there in spirit.

Oh god. This gave me flashbacks. Sorry OP, that sucks

I would make a coming soon page with email capture form that explains why it will be fun. And only once I've got 100 email sign ups would I schedule an event.