How to Organize a Valentine's Day Fundraiser for Charity

Valentine's Day has always been a time to recognize the most important people in our lives, and there are few better ways to show you care than to give a gift that also helps a charity your loved one cares about. As a charity, it's an important niche to fill with a fundraiser geared not only toward raising money, but to giving people a meaningful gift that will show their love.

Things You'll Need

• Chocolates
• Chocolate molds
• Greeting-card stock

Instructions

1. Make a trip to the grocery store and pick up a number of candy molds and some milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate wafers, along with some Valentine's Day-patterned cellophane bags. Use the molds to make handmade chocolates and put them in the bags. Make up tags for each of the bags that include a poem or short vignette that captures the essence of your charity, along with a thank you for the donation the recipient has made to the cause. Small gift bags are an easy sell, as they're an excellent addition to other gifts.

2. Sell gift baskets. These can be made from a combination of purchased items (including candy, flowers and perfumes), but can also include handmade items like cookies, candies and even framed needlepoint. Ask your volunteer staff what baskets each person can make to sell at your fundraiser. Advertise the sale on your website, and if volunteers are willing, make it clear that requests for customized gift baskets will be taken.

3. Find a graphic designer among the organization's volunteers, and solicit his help in creating Valentines personalized with not only a message suited to the occasion, but also the organization's name and logo. Create a number of different cards--some suitable for significant others that can be sold individually, and friendship cards that can be sold in packs.

4. Hold a special Valentine's Day raffle. Hit up some local stores to provide donations for the prizes, including flowers, chocolates, jewelry, overnight hotel getaways, movie tickets, wine and gift certificates to various restaurants. Give your volunteers tickets to sell during the month before Valentine's Day, and let them know the drawing will be held the week before the holiday.

5. Have some of the organization's volunteers look into making handmade soaps and lotions. Use Valentine's Day colors and scents, and package the items in bags and jars stamped with your organization's name and logo. Sell them to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers, and market them on your website as well.

6. Offer a Valentine's Day donation package that will be awarded in exchange for a donation of a certain amount. Put together a package with a Valentine's Day card specifying that a donation was made in the name of the loved one, and include small items like a handmade chocolate bar, a single rose (real or candy) and a window sticker advertising that the person has donated to the charity's Valentine's Day fundraiser. For larger donations, include a thank-you gift certificate donated by a restaurant, liquor store or any other suitable business.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to ask businesses for donations to give as thank-you gifts, or for items to raffle. Many businesses are happy to donate to charities; this is advertisement for them, and helps them get new customers in the door. Start planning early.