Creative Fundraiser Ideas
Fundraisers are an excellent way to raise money for a specific cause. Like most activities, you may be required to obtain a fundraising permit. Contact your city clerk's office to determine if you need a permit. You may need to include an outline of the dates, place, time and activity. Once you get approval, consider implementing one of these creative fundraiser ideas.
Other People Are Reading
-
Book Fair
-
Contact local book stores in your area and ask them to host your fundraiser. In exchange for the immense advertising they will get from you and your fundraising team, ask for a percentage of each book sold that night. Or have particularly creative members of your fundraising group write their own short stories or poetry to sell at your book fair. In addition, you might contact fundraiser friendly publishers such as Scholastic, which offers a step-by-step guide on setting up a book fair, to participate in your fundraiser. Consider asking local authors to attend and do book signings. You might also ask people to donate their used books to sell at your fair.
Sporting Event
-
Sports tournaments, such as basketball, volleyball and golf tournaments, are a great way to raise money for fundraisers. Charge each team an entry fee of $20 to $40 and ask local businesses if they would be willing to donate prizes. Local restaurants may donate $10 gift cards; local florists may donate bouquets, gift baskets, or plants as prizes.
-
Recycling Event
-
If you live in a state that pays well for recycling bottles, sponosr a recycling event at your home or school and ask neighbors to drop off all of their recyclable goods. Then cash them in at your recycling center. Ensure that you have a recycling center in your area. Be sure to advertise well in advance, via Craiglist, your local paper, on the radio and on bulletin boards at businesses around town. Contact radio stations and ask if they will advertise your event for free.
Auctions
-
Auctions are a popular fundraiser idea and may get tiresome without a little creativity. Expand on the traditional auction by auctioning off desirable items or beneficial services. Ask local businesses to donate gift cards, services, products and impressive coupons. Ask local artists to donate art. If someone has a season pass, you might be able to auction off a donated ticket to an upcoming game. Auction off dates, such as dinner with a teacher or members of the organization. Other ideas include auctioning off the principal who has to give three hours of housework or mow his lawn wearing a dress. Or auction off a babysitter who is known around the neighborhood for being good with kids. Auction off timeshares or vacation property, though be sure to include a clause that the place must be kept pristine or require a cleaning deposit.
Contact Restaurants
-
If you have a group of 75 or more, Chuck E. Cheese will host your next school fundraising event. They make fundraising seamless. You'll get a 15 percent discount, a visit from Chuck E. Cheese at your school, promotion materials and a free meal for participating teachers. The 15 percent includes sales from food, merchandise and tokens purchased by members of your group. Other restaurants to contact about hosting your fundraiser include Chick-fil-A and Subway.
Considerations
-
Since you are asking people for donations, they may naturally be a little skeptical. To give your fundraiser more legitimacy and your customers some peace of mind, consider buying matching shirts for each member to wear. In addition, start a free blog that details your fundraiser and cause. Be selective about your fundraisers. Parents and businesses may be more reluctant to help if you inundate them with requests for fundraising help. Limit fundraisers to about four per year.
-
