2012
[82 FUNDRAISING
IDEAS]
If you are one of those people who don’t like
asking others for money… this is the
information for you! If you are one of those
people who are always asking people for
money and need new ways to do it… this
information is for you, too! 82 ideas that can
help you or your Team earn your goal. Use an
idea or take an idea and tweak it to suit you.
No matter what… make it fun!!
82 FundRaising Ideas
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Car Stop
Christmas Bazaar
Garage Sales
Garden Fair
Rummage Sale
Toggery Shop
Wholesaler’s Day
Year-Round Flea Market
Celebrity Auction
Chinese Auction
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Penny Auction
Service Auction
White Elephant Sale
Aqua Show
Broadway Production
Concerts
Film Rentals
Follies
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Dance Marathon
Theatre Party
Fashion Luncheon
Gallery, Museum or Movie
Previews
Pet Show
Photo Contest
Wedding Fashion Show
All You Can Eat Breakfast
Box of Recipes
Church or Temple
Breakfasts
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35.
36.
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Food Fair
Ethnic Festival
Luncheons with Speakers
Roving Dinner Party
Wine Tasting Party
Artists and Craftsmen’s
Studio Tour
Boat Party
Christmas House Tour
Decorator Show House
Mystery Bus Ride
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Dance
Boxing Match Dinner
Hoe Down Dance
Gourmet Cook-Off Ball
Mall Ball
Old Fashioned 4th of July
Picnic
Star-Studded Evening
Basketball Marathon
Bathe-in for Dogs
Bingo
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Leagues
Night at the Races
Pro-Am Tournaments
Marathon
Swim-a-thon
Tennis Tournament
Mini Courses
Dessert Bridge
Backgammon tournament
Card Parties
Read-a-thon
Book Fair
Children’s Art Booth
Coloring Book
Artists Fair
Beat the Market
Kiddie Karnival
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66. Buttons and Bumper
Stickers
67. Car Wash
68. Door to Door Sales
69. Balloon Sale
70. 50/50 Raffle
71. Games of Skill
72. Program Advertising
73. Consumer Testing
74. Refreshment Stands
75. Slave for a Day
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Marathon or Run
Bike Race
Bake Sale
Plant Sale
Closest to the Hole Golf
Tourney
81. Haunted House
82. Hair Cut-a-thon
82 FundRaising Ideas
1. CAR STOP: This is one of the easiest and most profitable fund raising ideas. Find a busy intersection and get
the permission from the city to solicit funds from passing motorists. Malls, shopping centers and other
heavy traffic areas can be used also. Supplies for the project are available from the D.R.I. offices.
2. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Items for sale are appropriate to give as gifts or to decorate the home for the
holidays. This one day event could raise great amount of money.
3. GARAGE SALES: Have the largest garage sale ever. Use a group of attached warehouses. Handcrafts, baked
goods, used home furnishings and even unwanted clothing could be among the many items offered at this
giant sale. In other areas of the country, where only one garage maybe available, organization members can
collect unwanted merchandise and tag each piece with an appropriate price. Garage sales frequently bring
in several hundred dollars in an afternoon.
4. GARDEN FAIR: Arrange with a local nursery to be sales people in their nursery for two days whereby the
organization would receive a 25% commission on whatever plants the group sells.
5. RUMMAGE SALE: In addition to clothing, furniture, appliances and house wares, brand new items such as
desks, lamps, pictures and shoes that local retailers would donate. Linens and articles of clothing can also
be included. Prices on merchandise can be anywhere from $259 up, depending on the item. At the end of
the day prices can be slashed to ½. After the sale is over, items can be donated to Goodwill or another thrift
shop.
6. TOGGERY SHOP: This is the business of selling only “gently used” or new merchandise. If the toys, games,
books, sporting equipment, handbags, curtains and clothing brought in to be sold aren’t absolutely clean
and in excellent condition, simply don’t accept them. When the store accepts merchandise from the donor
and the item is sold, the person who brought it in gets two-thirds of the sale price and the organization gets
the remaining third. The organization can net between $250 and $300 each week.
7. WHOLESALER’S DAY: This is a “professional” flea market. Merchants each pay $15 to set up parking space
sized booths and the public is invited to browse and buy. No admission fee is charged for potential
customers.
8. YEAR-ROUND FLEA MARKET: People in the community can continually contribute both old and new
merchandise, much of it handmade.
9. CELEBRITY AUCTION: Items donated by local or national personalities bring in lots of money, particularly
when the items are signed by their donors. One successful celebrity auction included an evening shirt
donated by Bob Hope, one of Bing Crosby’s wallets, singer Barry Manilow’s Grammy Award nomination, a
script from TV’s Rhoda show and a racing suit owned by driver Mario Andretti. But the item that brought in
the most money during the auction was one of John Lennon’s gold records, it fetched $1,000!
10. CHINESE AUCTION: Actually, a Chinese auction is more a lottery than an auction. Here’s how it works. The
items to be “auctioned” are displayed on tables around the room. In front of each is a glass bowl or other
receptacle. Participants buy tickets, usually 10 for $5, and place one ticket in the bowl in front of each item
they wish to “bid” on. At the end of the evening one ticket from each bowl is selected and whoever’s name
(or number) appears on that ticket wins the item. These donated items could raise over $400.
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82 FundRaising Ideas
11. PENNY AUCTION: A penny auction is similar to, but slightly more complicated than a Chinese auction. The
items to be offered are displayed at a preview held about 30 minutes before the “bidding” starts.
Participants pay an admission charge to the auction, then buy tickets for different amounts of money and
print their name on the back of their tickets. When they enter the room in which the preview is being held,
they’re given a printed program which lists the amount of money required to “bid" on each item. Later, if
someone wants to “bid” on a particular item, he or she merely puts the appropriately valued ticket in the
bowl in front of the item. A ticket is pulled from the bowl and the lucky winner’s name is called. Donated
items could include house plants, dried flower arrangements, toys or bottles of wine.
12. SERVICE AUCTION: In this type of fund raiser, donations of time and effort are solicited and donors are
asked to come up with imaginative offerings. A service auction could include such offerings as babysitting
for an entire weekend, a daylong sailboat trip, pool party for 20 people or a husband and wife “butler and
maid” team to serve at a dinner party. Participants bid on the items up for grabs as in a regular auction,
with the highest bidder receiving the item.
13. WHITE ELEPHANT SALE: “It shakes when you move it and I can hear something rattling inside. The paper
alone is worth $2!” That’s how one auctioneer described a gaily wrapped package auctioned off at one of
the white elephant sales. Members and other contributors are asked to donate merchandise worth at least
$1 or $2 and to disguise it with gift wrap. When auctioned off, most of the items go for about $4 or $5.
What makes a white elephant sale fun is that although the items have comparable monetary value, it is very
possible to id on what you think is a bottle of champagne and wind up with salami instead.
14. AQUA SHOW: A great fund raising event for a high school Aquatic Club. This is a synchronized swimming
show. Costumed members could perform various numbers from Broadway shows past and present.
Routines at poolside as well as in the water would enable non-swimmers to participate in the program. A
diving event can also be included. In three nights, this has a fund raising potential of many hundred dollars.
15. BROADWAY PRODUCTION: This could be an annual fund raiser. Run show for several nights. See sponsors
who could purchase advertising space in the program. Sell tickets for admission.
16. CONCERTS: You can draw larger audiences and be able to charge higher ticket prices if you can get wellknown performers to entertain at your fund raiser. A concert by Paul Simon and several other groups
brought over $50,000 to the New our Public Library. If you must pay for talent, try to arrange a special rate.
Remember that local amateurs can usually be persuaded to donate their talents to a worthy cause and
aspiring performers may be happy to have some public exposure.
17. FILM RENTALS: Check your local Yellow pages under the heading of “Motion Picture Film Distributors” for
organizations that rent out movies. Advertise your performances and charge an admission fee.
18. FOLLIES: Stage an elaborate variety of shows. Appoint a director to put the show together. Amateur acts
could include singing, dancing and comedy skits. Charge admission and arrange to make money on drink
and/or snack sales.
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82 FundRaising Ideas
19. DANCE MARATHON: Two hours on, 10 minutes off, could be the rules of a 50-hour marathon. Call t the
“Put your love in motion” weekend for the benefit of the American Heart Association. Contest rules could
be the each couple must have sponsor pledges of at least $200 in order to enter the contest. Charge
admission for interested spectators. To hold spectator interest, plan activities just for them: dance lessons
by a professional dance group; a celebrity auction (see Item 9), a special children’s program with balloon
games, cartoons, a clown, a magician and guitar sing-a-long. Get local restaurants to provide good for the
dancers.
20. THEATRE PARTY: Theatre Parties are held by hundreds of different organizations throughout the country
and are popular partially because they’re so easy to arrange. Here’s how: An organization buys all the
seats, or a block of seats, for a given performance of a show and chares those who attend a fixed amount
over and above the price of the tickets. The typical amount added to the ticket price is anywhere from $5 to
$25, which may include refreshments or dinner.
21. FASHION LUNCHEON: Merchants who own clothing stores or boutiques and managers of department
stores are often willing t lend clothing and accessories to charitable organizations staging fashion shows.
22. GALLERY, MUSEUM OR MOVIE PREVIEWS: The night before the official opening of a gallery or museum
exhibit, or a new movie is a good time to have a champagne or supper preview. Tickets should be sold in
advance for the preview.
23. PET SHOW: Pet owners are proud of their animals. Give them the opportunity to show off their pride and
joy. charge an entry fee for each animal. Sell admission tickets. Get volunteers to judge the various
categories and award trophies or ribbons to winners.
24. PHOTO CONTEST: Pick a photo contest theme, for example “Children Do the Darndest Things.” Have three
major divisions: amateur, professional and photos by children. Entry fee would be called a donation to the
American Heart Association. Get a local camera shop to donate prizes and award ribbons to the winners in
each division.
25. WEDDING FASHION SHOW: Spring and fall are the best times to HOLD bridal fashion shows and local
DEPARTMENT stores and bridal salons are usually more than willing to participate. Potential ticket buyers
are easy to LOCATE THROUGH engagement announcements in the newspaper SOCIETY columns.
26. ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST: Stick to one or two offerings that are easy and inexpensive to prepare, such
as pancakes or scrambled eggs, and keep the coffee urns full. Such a BREAKFAST served on a Sunday
morning would e popular and profitable.
27. BOX OF RECIPES: Collect favorite recipes for AUTHENTIC ethnic dishes. Select about 200 of the best
recipes, have them printed on index cards and sell the collection in brightly colored file boxes for $10 each.
28. CHURCH OR TEMPLE BREAKFAST: There are a number of ways to raise money in only a couple of hours ON
SATURDAY or Sunday mornings. Hold such a breakfast as the family social gathering, or in conjunction with
a special lecture. Charge a fixed amount or SOLICIT donations from those who attend.
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82 FundRaising Ideas
29. FOOD FAIR: Plan a one night event and feature foods from many nations. Ask local RESIDENTS to prepare
some of their own ethnic specialties. Sell the portions of each dish for set prices. Charging an admission fee
can raise additional money.
30. ETHNIC FESTIVAL: The project ABOVE can be expanded to a weekend festival. Highlights could include not
only ethnic foods, but also attractions such as an art show and demonstrations of ethnic dances. In addition
carnival rides and games could be arranged for. Proceeds of this festival have the potential of exceeding
$12,000.
31. LUNCHEONS WITH SPEAKERS: Fund raising luncheons can be held on a regular basis. The luncheons can be
held at a local hotel with a prominent person n the community as the guest speaker.
32. ROVING DINNER PARTY: A good fund raiser but also a great way to make friends starts with a group of
couples. Assign some members of the group to make hors d’oeuvres, some to make a main course and
some to make desserts. Then set up a round robin dinner with participants going to different homes for the
different courses. All the couples then meet in a single home for dessert. Each couple pays a fee to
participate.
33. WINE TASTING PARTY: An hour and half of unlimited wine and cheese tasting can be arranged by getting
some vintners and cheese companies to provide samples for guests to taste. After the sampling is complete
a dinner could be served. Charge a fee for attending.
34. ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMEN’S STUDIO TOUR: Have potters, photographers, painters weavers, jewelers,
sculptors and printmakers open their studios to the public. Charge a fee for a two-day tour, which includes
talks by the artists and demonstrations or works in progress. some of the works should be offered for sale.
Have members of your group conduct the tours.
35. BOAT PARTY: A slow cruise to nowhere for an evening can include dining, drinking, dancing, an auction, a
caricaturist, a fortune teller, etc. to provide entertainment. To provide an atmosphere select a them. For
example, “The Mississippi Riverboat Part,” have a Dixieland band, a New Orleans buffet dinner, and lavish
decoration. Charge a fee for those who attend this exciting affair.
36. CHRISTMAS HOUSE TOUR: Select fie houses to elaborately decorate for Christmas. Advertise to the public.
Make different Christmas items available for sale such as ornaments, handcrafted gifts, baked goods, etc.
37. DECORATOR SHOW HOUSE: Arrange to use a large estate home for this benefit. Interior designers can bid
to decorate and furnish individual rooms. Signs should give Credit to the decorator and tell where each
piece can be bought and for how much. a landscaper can refurbish the grounds. The show house should be
opened for a period of a few weeks and visitors pay a fee for the tour.
38. MYSTERY BUS RIDE: Everyone loves a surprise. that’s the whole idea behind mystery bus rides. One
person makes arrangements for an entire group and tells the participants only what to wear or how to
prepare for the evenings events. Then participants board the bus at a predetermined location and are
whisked away to anything from a helicopter ride, to scuba diving lessons, to dinner at a restaurant and a
show. This PROJECT IS an excellent way to make money. Each person or couple pays a fixed amount over
the cost of the activities.
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82 FundRaising Ideas
39. DANCE: Dances or dinner dances are extremely popular fund raisers for a number of organizations. The
dance could take place at a local country club and be attended by a large number of people. A cover charge
should bring in a large profit.
40. BOXING MATCH DINNER: An unusual fund raiser would be a $100 a plate dinner organized in a hotel
ballroom. Arrange three round bouts by well-known boxing contenders and secure a fight announcer to
serve as emcee. Appearance by retired boxing greats would be a welcome addition to this event.
41. HOE DOWN DANCE: “Country duds” are required dress at this event. The farm theme can be carried
through from decorations to food, with picnic lunches possibly donated by well-known persons in the
community and auctioned off to the highest bidders. For entertainment have a square dance with an
authentic caller.
42. GOURMET COOK-OFF BALL: a fabulous fund raiser would involve 20 celebrities or well-known chefs cooking
a several course meal. Stoves could be set up around the grand ballroom as guests watch the preparations
from their tables. Meanwhile the hotel kitchens staff prepares the identical recipes for the guests.
Professional critics and food experts could judge the culinary offerings and prizes could be awarded in each
category. The price could be $150 per ticket.
43. MALL BALL: Hold an annual cocktail dinner dance in an enclosed mall. Other unusual sites for fund raising
events around the country include beaches, subway stations or event an airplane hangar.
44. OLD FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY PICNIC: This is a good way to celebrate while raising money. Picnic tables and
planned fun events can create atmosphere. Chicken-in-the-basket lunches or barbecued hot dogs and
hamburgers provide good eating for the people who pay the entrance fee and attend the fundraiser.
45. STAR-STUDDED EVENING: More than just a concert, this type of fund raiser features performances by a
wide range of entertainers, opera singers, ballet dancers, musicians, popular recording artists and the like. A
lavish dinner can follow this for those who’ve bought the highest price tickets.
46. BASKETBALL MARATHON: In such an event the sponsoring group agrees to take on all the corners in a
basketball marathon. The group can raise money by charging an admission fee and selling refreshments.
This can be a daylong event running anywhere from 5 to 7 hours
47. BATHE-IN FOR DOGS: Pet accessory manufacturers might donate grooming supplies for this event. It could
be held in a park. This fun-filled sudsy event should draw dozens of dogs and the attention of local TV and
radio stations. Each dog wash could bring in $5.
48. BINGO: Where bingo games are legal, they’ve proved extremely popular local fund raisers. Typically,
players pay an entrance fee ($1 to $3), rent lap boards and buy disposable paper game cards. About 25
games are played during a given evening and the lucky person who has a wining card can win anywhere
from 425 to $250. Bingo games are tightly regulated and supervised, often by government officials, to
ensure that the games are being run honestly. The group that holds bingo games can usually raise extra
money by selling refreshments.
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82 FundRaising Ideas
49. LEAGUES: Many groups have already organized charity athletic leagues and more are doing so all the time.
Here’s how they work: The sponsoring organization pays for the use of sports facilities such as bowling
alleys and members of the various teams pay the organization a slightly higher fee to play each game or pay
a lump sum to participate in the league. This can be used with tennis, racquetball, softball, football, etc. At
the end of the season, trophies are awarded to the winning team.
50. NIGHT AT THE RACES: Like the bingo games and the Las Vegas nights, the action for sale here is gambling.
Organizations rent films of horse races, and those who watch the films bet on the outcomes. Typically a
bettor wins $4 or $5 on a $2 bet if his or her horse comes in first. An admission fee covers the cost of the
film rental and the organization gets the rest.
51. PRO-AM TOURNAMENTS: When celebrities team up with sports professionals in athletic competition, the
result is usually a lot of laughs and a lot of money raised for charity. Such was the case when a number of
well known personalities, including Oleg Cassini, a governor, and a famous author joined nationally ranked
women tennis players in a mixed doubles tournament. Sportscaster Howard Cosell acted as both the
referee and chief commentator during the matches, which were viewed by some 3,000 spectators.
Proceeds for such a one-day tournament can exceed $15,000.
52. MARATHON: This is a popular fund raising effort, a 20 mile route around and through the city can be
planned. Each person participating tries to collect at least 30 pledges from sponsors ranging from 1- to $1 or
more for each mile of the route. This solicitation is done prior to the marathon. Events such as this attract
large numbers of participants if well organized and publicized. Prizes can be donated and awarded to the
persons with the greatest number of pledges, and with the largest amount pledged. t\This idea can be
adapted for young children by making it a five-mile mini-walk.
53. SWIM-A-THON: In order to fulfill the requirements set by the Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida (an organization that sponsors swimming marathons around the country) each swimmer who
competes in a swim-a-thon must complete at least 200 laps. Prior to the competition, each swimmer is
required to obtain sponsors who agree to pay a certain amount per lap. While participants are doing their
laps, poolside demonstrations of life-saving techniques, canoeing, and scuba diving can be given for the
spectators.
54. TENNIS TOURNAMENT: Hold a mixed doubles tournament at various tennis courts or clubs in the area. For
a set fee, participants are guaranteed at least three hours of playing time, the opportunity to watch a
number of exhibition matches and enjoy a barbecued dinner if they wish.
55. MINI COURSES: Everyone has a hobby that he or she can demonstrate or lecture about for at least a couple
of hours. Get volunteers to teach mini-courses on topics like sewing, gardening, financial planning,
photography, etc. to the community. Advertise these courses in community papers. Each course could last
one to three evenings. Charge a fee to attend.
56. DESSERT BRIDGE: Entrants pay $5 each to sample various desserts and play any board or card games they
choose. As added attractions, set up gourmet food tables, a raffle for door prizes, and table centerpieces.
Centerpieces can be sold at the end of the day.
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82 FundRaising Ideas
57. BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT: As backgammon becomes increasingly popular in the U.S. it has been
recognized that backgammon tournaments can be good charity fund-raisers. Contestants can pay entrance
fees and donated prizes are awarded to winners in each of three levels of competition. Additional money is
raised through a raffle.
58. CARD PARTIES: Bridge, canasta, euchre, and gin rummy are among the most popular card games played at
afternoon fund-raisers held by members of countless organizations throughout the country. Typically,
participants pay $5 to $10, which includes refreshments provided by the host.
59. READ-A-THON: Children in dozens of communities can participate in this ongoing project. Similar to
walkathons and bike-a-thons, sponsor’s pledges are gathered by participants. In this case, the sponsor
agrees to pay a certain amount for each book completed by the child in a given period of time. The school
approved book list is distributed to each child, and parents must verify that their child has read every book
he or she claims to have read. Each child receives a certificate at the end of the read-a-thon.
60. BOOK FAIR: There are companies that specialize in setting up the book fairs. The company brings in and
sets up a huge selection of children’s books in all price ranges. In addition, educational toys are for sale
during the three-day fair. The sponsors get 20 percent of the total amount taken in.
61. CHILDREN’S ART BOOTH: Paint crayons, colored pencils, and other favorite media of young artists are
displayed at a colorful booth during a fair. For $1, youngsters can create their own “masterpieces” using
whatever art supplies they choose. When each child is finished, a volunteer attaches the completed work to
a stick, which the child can carry as his or her own personal banner during the fair or to take home as a
souvenir.
62. COLORING BOOK: Arrange to put out a coloring book to sell in conjunction with a presentation, which is
scheduled by a performing arts group (such as a ballet company, an orchestra, or a theatrical group). The
coloring book can be sold before and after the performance. Local artists can illustrate it. If appropriate,
and audio tape to go along with the coloring book can be part of the package. A volunteer can narrate the
story.
63. ARTISTS FAIR: Charge a flat fee for each day local artists and craftsmen exhibit and sell their creations. The
exhibitors can either pay a fee for their booth or pay a percentage of their sales.
64. BEAT THE MARKET: This is a month long fund-raiser that allows participants to play the stock market
without any risk of losing real money. A $25 donation entitles a participant to $50,000 worth of “credits”
with which to buy and sell stocks. Professional stockbrokers volunteer to take the orders and to keep track
of how the participants do in their financial wheeling and dealing. At the end of the month, donated prizes
are awarded to those who have “made the most money” and to the person who “lost the most. The loser is
advised to stay out of the Market.
65. KIDDIE KARNIVAL: Another successful fund-raiser is a fair for children. Plan the fair for kids under seven.
Have pony rides, games such as pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, and foods such as peanut butter sandwiches and
ice cream for sale. For parents, have a booth at which to buy children’s clothing. Admission can be charged.
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82 FundRaising Ideas
66. BUTTONS AND BUMPER STICKERS: Bought through wholesale dealers for a few cents apiece and sold for $1
each, buttons are among the most profitable items sold by many organizations. Bumper stickers may cost a
bit more, but often sell well at $2 each. T-shirts are another good idea; buy them for $2 each and sell them
for $5 or more.
67. CAR WASH: All it takes is a few buckets, sponges, some mild detergent, soft towels, water and lots of elbow
grease to turn a few spare hours into extra cash. A favorite fund-raiser of student organizations, car washes
at $2 can raise several hundred dollars if there are enough willing workers, a lot of advance publicity and
ample parking space for those waiting their turn.
68. DOOR TO DOOR SALES: Magazines, candy, greeting cards, light bulbs and seeds are among the most
popular items sold to raise money. Contact the fund-raising departments of manufacturers and distributors
to ask if they’ll package their products especially for your group. How much can you make? On the average
40 to 50 percent profit (less on items that sell for more than a few dollars).
69. BALLOON SALE: Printed helium balloons are a good item to sell at a fair or at a shopping center. You can
charge a nominal amount above cost.
70. 50/50 RAFFLE: The idea is simple. Participants sign their names on dollar bills and drop them into a large
container. At the end of the afternoon or evening, someone pulls out one of the bills. The person whose
name is on that bill wins half of whatever money has been collected. A 50/50 raffle is easy to set up at
almost any kind of fund-raising event and it’s fun.
71. GAMES OF SKILL: Practically everyone likes to try his or her hand at ring tossing, knocking down bottles,
breaking plates, or throwing balls through a hoop. Game booths such as these are good moneymakers at a
fair. Stuffed animals can be purchased through a wholesaler for prizes.
72. PROGRAM ADVERTISING: Self sponsorships and advertisements in printed journals and programs
distributed at concerts, dinner dances or other fund-raising galas.
73. CONSUMER TESTING: Some manufacturing firms or market research companies will pay money to
organizations who guarantee a certain number of participants in a day long product evaluation session. Try
contacting the Public Relations department of local companies to see if they’ll make similar arrangements.
An agreement might be made to provide a number of testers for the day. A sum of money is paid in return
for the group of testers’ services.
74. REFRESHMENT STANDS: On a hot summer day, nothing will sell faster than cold beverages. As always, try
to get donations from local merchants or failing that, arrange a discount. Another good idea is to borrow an
orange or grape drink “spray cooler” machine from a fast food chain and purchase juice concentrates (like
they do). There’s a hefty profit margin for drinks sold this way. Other big sellers include coffee and cake,
cold sandwiches, hot dogs, and pizza.
75. SLAVE FOR A DAY: Babysitting, lawn mowing, garage or basement cleaning and similar chores can all be
performed by members of your group and arrange for specific jobs to be done in return for a donation.
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82 FundRaising Ideas
76. MARATHON OR RUN: Running is quite a popular pastime. By arranging a race, setting up the course,
sending out applications with a set entrance fee, arranging for prizes or awards for the winners, and
publicizing it well, you can have a very successful event. Guidance might be obtained from your local
runners club.
77. BIKE RACE: This can be set up in a fashion similar to the Marathon or Run project described above. It has
great potential and will receive a lot of publicity.
78. BAKE SALE: These are relatively simple to organize and can be held with permission at a local shopping
center; or a booth can be set up at a local fair, flea market, or other event that is open to the public.
79. PLANT SALE: This can be held at someone’s home or a booth can be set up at a public place. The
organizations members can start with cuttings from their own plants or arrangements can be made with a
local nursery to donate a 25% payment on any items sold that they give to your organization on a
consignment basis.
80. CLOSEST TO THE HOLE GOLF TOURNEY: Set up a contest on a par three hole at a local golf course. If the
golfer gets within a set distance, he wins a prize. You should specify the distance from the hold that would
qualify a participant for a prize based upon the number of prizes you can get donated. Raffle prizes you may
try to secure are golf balls, golf shirts, dinners from local restaurants, movie passes, etc. The golfer who gets
closest to the hole wins the grand prize. Ask the D.R. I. how you can get a car or high priced item to offer as
the grand prize.
81. HAUNTED HOUSE: A good haunted house set up at Halloween time is a sure winner as a fund raising event.
If there are not already too many haunted houses running in your area, this is a great project for your
organization to initiate.
82. HAIR CUT-A-THON: Arrange for local stylists from one or more salons to donate their services for the day.
Secure a location with a lot of walk in traffic such as a local shopping mall, street fair, or park. Set a price for
haircuts. If electricity is available, the stylists can wet hair with spray bottles, cut and blow dry. You can
arrange to give away free samples of beauty aid products to all patrons and get them donated by sponsors.
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