Dinner
Dances - Put a new twist on a very old idea by trying these:
Costume
ball - Pick a
theme that blends with your organization and have a "ball".
From movie themes to songs or even your role model (great for Big
Brother/Big Sister type organizations) this gets donors dressed and
ready for fun.
Ungala
Gala - a night
"in". Send an invitation for a very special night the donor
gets to spend... at home! Be clever and send a creative invitation.
Fashion
shows:
Second
Hand Rose Show -
use items from your organization's thrift store or combine with
another local charity that has a thrift store and split the profits.
Casual
Events For The Whole Family:
Walk-A-Thons
/ Pet Walks - start
the walk and end it in the parking lot of your local newspaper and you
can gain extra publicity by teaming up with them. If expenses allow,
have a tent with vendors, kids activities and other street fair type
events and create a full day of fun and great exposure for your
organization. Don't forget to have a
booth for your organization with materials to explain your mission and
give donors a way to donate through brochures,
remittance envelopes
and business
cards.
Other
A-Thons: Walk, climb, dance, cut hair, read books, ride bikes,
call in, ride horses, or do a host of other activities to create a
unique and successful A-Thon. Take into consideration your potential
donor and who would help with the event and promote it throughout your
community. An easy and fun way to raise funds without a lot of expense
or major planning.
Open
Houses - make an event by opening your doors and offering
free tours and information along with free refreshments or hot dogs and sodas
and other things that fit. Try to appeal to what a prospective
supporter of your organization would be interested in knowing about
you.
Raffles
/ Silent Auctions - usually held during a dinner event these types
of quick money raisers can be held virtually at any time, any where.
Raffles can be coordinated through local retail locations with a photo
of what is being raffled. Silent Auctions can be held at thrift
stores, offices, or other facilities your organization may have and
publicized so that supporters stop in and bid.
Community
"Yard" Sale - If you don't have a thrift store
consider holding an annual community yard sale to raise funds. Have
volunteers and donors donate gently used second hand items to sell.
Rent table space for individuals and other organizations for a fee
such as $25-50 per 8 foot table, and they can sell their own items and
keep the money. With the entire community involved you can generate
tremendous traffic since everyone loves a bargain and large-scale
sales are well attended. Ask your local airport, fairgrounds, banquet
facilities, or other large venue to donate space for a day or provide
the space at a reduced rate. If you can interest a larger venue
consider teaming up with 4 or 5 other non-profits to split the profits
on the rental tables and keep the sales from your own booths.
Holiday
Events
Tree
of Life/Ornament Sales/Lighted Displays - decorate your building,
place trees in front of your building or place trees at locations
around your community. Sell paper ornaments or each "light" on
display in
honor, memory or celebration of a special person (or pet) in your
community. Indoor tree displays are easy to have paper ornaments
available for sale.
Simply print full color business cards with
a holiday theme, punch holes in them, insert a gold or high quality
yarn or string and sell to hang on the trees on display. Ornaments can
easily sell for $1 - $5 depending on your community. You'll have a
great holiday fundraiser with little effort!
Sell
A Product
Greeting
Cards /
Bookmarks
Special
designs are a great way for organizations to raise
money. When purchasing printing in higher volume these items can be purchased for a very
low investment and sold easily at double, triple or even more of their
original cost. If you have a thrift store these printed materials make
a wonderful addition. Community fundraisers can be done by teaming up
with local merchants and retail stores (even try selling to the stores
at wholesale and let them set the retail price) or team up with a
local school and have the children design and sell them during the
holiday season with a portion of the profits also going to the school.
The more local you can make the items the better they will sell.
Most
Of All - Be Creative
The
best fundraisers are those that are unique and not done by other local
organizations. Tap into the creativity of your volunteers and
supporters and come up with unique ideas that highlight their talents.
Maybe you have supporters that are singers or have another talent and
holding a local "talent" show would be the ideal fundraiser.
Not
considered a fundraiser but definitely a must-do for your fundraising
efforts is hosting a yearly Volunteer and Donor Recognition Event.
Volunteers
and your major donors are your greatest resource, yet many organizations struggle with how to
properly thank them for their dedicated efforts. Host a recognition
event and don't forget to keep them in the loop of all the
fundraising events available that they can support. To keep costs down
send
a letter style invitation with
envelope
with all the details and have them call to RSVP to save on costs. Ask
if a board member or other supporter with a unique home and property would
consider hosting a Sunday afternoon event. Ask local restaurants
and grocery stores to donate simple appetizers and drinks and be sure
to recognize these generous donors at your event. Also collect
donations of gift certificates and goodies from your community to give
away during the day in door prize format. Make a fun day and your
donors and volunteers will hold your organization in high regard
helping to promote great publicity and moral!
Do
you have
a great event that you'd like to share with other organizations?
Simply email us the details of what you did and how you did it to support@notforprofitprinting.com
