-
Put on a citywide clue-based scavenger hunt. Participants will sign up in teams and pay an entry fee. They can also raise money from friends and family just like they would for a race. Teams could earn extra points based on the amount raised. Then during the actual scavenger hunt, the teams would find answers to questions throughout different areas in the city. The clues would be organized by area. An example would be, "What is the eighth letter under Abraham Lincoln's statue on Fourth Street?"
In addition to the entry fees and money raised from participants, get local businesses to sponsor the scavenger hunt. Have a participant T-shirt made with their logos on the back with the top being for the sponsors who donated the most money. T-shirts should be made after the payment due date for both the sponsors and participants. During the race, have a few special challenges mixed in with the clues. These special challenges would be titled after the business that sponsored a specific amount. An example would be, "City Shop Silly Jump Rope Challenge."
At the end of the race, participants can have snacks and drinks donated by local grocery stores, while workers add up points from the team answer sheets. Winners will win a small prize. Make this an annual event, and each year, it will grow in participants and profit. -
Hold a free concert, which will entice as many people to come as possible. Churches or schools may donate their space to a worthy cause. Local bands and singers will usually donate their time, especially if you allow them to sell their CDs at the event. Before and after the concert, and during the intermission, have the silent auction. You can also sell snacks and drinks during the intermission and have an offering before the intermission to raise extra funds.
A silent auction is when items and services are up for bid on display (usually on tables). Bidders walk around and sign their names and place a bid. If someone wants to outbid them, they can sign their name underneath the previous name with a higher bid. Whoever bids the highest by the end of the auction, wins. On the sheet of paper where the bidders bid, fully describe the item or service up for auction, what the starting bid is and the increments the bids should be (e.g. $5). Have a definite end time for the auction.
Get your auction items from local businesses. Examples include tickets to the zoo, one maid cleaning, a pedicure, scrapbook accessories, a massage, a piece of art, jewelry, landscaping service and a parachute jump. Just call around to businesses that you think would support your cause. Businesses look at these kinds of events as a tax write off and low cost publicity.
