There are so many ways to help the Foundation and have a little fun at the same time. Bake sales, car washes, and lemonade stands are always fun, but we have listed a few of our favorite ideas to help you create your own fundraiser. These work for individuals, groups such as Scouting groups or church organizations, or large corporations. You are limited only by your imagination!
Small to Medium Group Ideas:
Personal Donation Letter:
Send a letter to friends and family explaining your needs, goals and offering different levels of donation. Clean and simple.
Pink Flamingo Fundraiser:
This is one our favorites. The idea is to deploy a pink flamingo or any other ugly object and plant it in someone's front yard or the entrance of a business. An awful garden gnome, a toilet, or any other obnoxious item works- the uglier the better. Explain to the "victim" that they have been "flocked" (in the case of the flamingo) for a good cause. The will have to pay a fee to have the item removed, but they get to select the next lucky recipient. Of course, you will always have a few people who don't see the humor or the good cause behind it. Just remove the item and have the previous recipient select a new victim. Another verision is to do this within a business and have different offices get "flocked".
Host A Dinner Party:
There are so many variations on this one. Wine tasting, dessert extravaganzaa.........whatever suits your tastes. See if you can get a local caterer or restaurant to donate the food or you can prepare it yourself. Charge a "per plate" fee or an entrance fee and invite your friends over to feast. You get to enjoy a night out with friends while helping a good cause. Progressive dinners work too. Or, get the kids involved and open a "restaurant". Prepare a menu, complete with prices and then invite over your best tippers! Include a coat check, valet parking, or any other fun element that you would find in a real restaurant.
Night at the Movies:
Host a screening in your home or at a local church or hall. Show a newly released movie or a classic. You can charge for admission and concessions. This is a great one for the kids!
Medium to Large Group Ideas:
Handyman Job Bank:
Spring and Fall, your team offers to do yard clean ups, painting, etc. for a small fee.
Rubber Duck Race:
Always a crowd favorite. For a small fee you local community supporters adopt a rubber duck for a chance at winning a valuable donated prize. Your group sells tickets to a unique number that's stenciled onto each of a racing rubber duck. At the starting line, large plastic bags full of the racing rubber ducks are simultaneously emptied into the water. The winning duck is the one that floats to the finish line first.
The Challenge Money Tree:
The concept is quite simple. You set up a booth with a bare Christmas tree displayed. You challenge new contributors that pass by to make donations until the tree is completely covered with money. You place their donation on the tree prominently displaying their names. This works great in really high traffic areas (malls, supermarkets, church lobbys, restaurants).
Final Exam Survival Kits:
This can be adapted for many occasions...Summer Camp Survival Kits, Holiday Survival Kits, First Day of School Survival Kits.......the possibilites are endless. Send out a brief letter asking parents to pre-order the kits. The letter should include the cost, contents of kit, and where and when they will be delivered. A great way to raise money and do something nice for someone else.
Pennies for Police:
This is so simple and so effective. Simply place a donation jar in local schools, business, etc. and ask to collect change for the Shelton and Clark Families. You would be amazed at how quickly the change adds up. The kids love digging out their pennies to drop them into the jar!
Luxury Lock Up:
A new twist on the old "Jail & Bail". Area business leaders either "turn themselves in" or are "kidnapped" (with permission, of coures) and are treated to an hour of good food and beverage, massage, music and more. Make sure they bring their cell phones and Rolodex because they will need to raise pledges to get free. To keep them working you can make it so they have to raise a certain amount before they can move on to the next luxury. If they raised pledges in advance they can just sit back and relax. Ask local spas to help out or create your own spa in your home or office. The executives appreciate the pampering and enjoy raising money for a good cause.
Corporate Matching:
If your company offers corporate matching, ask your department or shift to throw some money into the pot and then ask your company to match it. A simple and profitable way to raise money. To add some fun to it you can have different departments compete for a prize. This is a great money maker.
If you are planning a fundraiser please let us know. We will post it on our events page and do our best to get the word out.
If you have hosted a successful fundraiser please us know that too- we are always looking for new ideas!
