One of the biggest challenges that nonprofit organizations face is raising money to further their cause and keep their efforts going. Most people aren’t typically motivated to donate to worthy projects unless they are first given a compelling impetus to do so. For this reason, we’ve come up with five great fundraising ideas that can help out:
Product Fundraisers
Product fundraisers are great for a variety of reasons. Popular products that sell out fast don’t actually cost too much to manufacture, keeping your expenses low. T-shirts, wrist bands, tote bags, and other merchandise with your branding can also help a lot towards raising awareness for your cause, and everyone that wears them essentially provides you with free marketing. Consider putting your logo or an original design on an item that people can include as part of their daily carry, such as a lanyard, a shopping bag, or a custom-designed silicone wristband to ensure maximum visibility.
Potluck Buffets
Who doesn’t love homemade food? Another popular fundraiser idea that’s sure to be a hit with any crowd is a potluck-style buffet. You can raise money and awareness for your project while giving people a viable alternative to unhealthy fast food. Come together with your community or organization and go with a variety of comforting dishes that are easy to prepare in large quantities, such as pasta and noodle dishes, sandwiches, or tacos. You can then sell these by the order, or offer tickets to the entire buffet and let people fill their plates up by themselves.
Garage or Yard Sales
Need funds in a pinch? Selling things that you already own is a great way to earn money for a cause while also decluttering your household. Collect any unwanted items you have (make sure they’re still in good condition!) and put them up for sale. This fundraising method requires practically no capital and doesn’t take too much time to prepare either, so it’s great for collecting money at the last minute. Use the power of social media to spread the word; you can even invite your neighbors, friends and family members to donate items to your sale.
Restaurant or Food Truck Partnership
This is a variation on the potluck buffet fundraiser, where you use good food to attract supporters to your cause. However, instead of preparing the dishes yourself, you can hook up with a local restaurant or a food truck entrepreneur to provide it instead. Most food and beverage establishments will be happy to work together with you! If you make an event of the fundraiser, you can generate even more proceeds that can then be put towards your cause. Consider inviting a guest speaker or a local band or singer to entertain guests as they eat, or make it interactive by turning it into a karaoke or quiz night.
Community Classes
Do you possess a special skill? Are you an expert in your chosen field? You can put those abilities to work and raise funds for your special project by holding classes and sharing your knowledge with the community. You can hold these classes in the comfort of your own home or backyard, or make use of the open spaces at a park or community center. Spread the word through social media and let people know that you’re doing a fundraiser. Charge admission and encourage donations by putting a tip jar in a visible location. Examples of classes you could hold include fitness or dance classes, an amateur painting or photography workshop, baking or cooking classes, and more.
Fundraisers can be fun! That said, it’s best to stick to fundraising projects that are easy to plan and won’t cost too much to launch. This way, you can maximize the amount of money that can go towards your cause or organization.