Fundraising is never an easy task, but when you believe in the cause, your passions will be contagious! Asking for help can feel awkward, but not everyone is able to do what you are doing! Use these ideas to fuel your message and fund your trip!
Sell T-Shirts and Other Apparel
T-shirts are the perfect product to pair with your crowdfunding campaign. Everyone can wear them, and if you can customize the shirt to highlight your cause or project, people will always remember it!
When you set up your crowdfunding campaign, you can set up giving levels. Each level can correspond to a different combination of items.
The options for apparel are limitless. Depending on the t-shirt fundraising service you use, you may be able to sell sweatshirts, hats, scarves, mittens, and more!
Start a Penny Drive
Penny drive ideas are low-cost and easy ways to raise money without having to do a lot of work. All you have to do is set up containers in a well-trafficked area and let people know what you’re raising money for.
You may not raise a ton of money with a penny drive, but it’s a great way to educate people about the cause or project you’re fundraising for.
Besides, people don’t just have to give pennies. They can give dimes, quarters, and even dollar bills during a penny drive.
If you’re working with a team, you can even turn a penny drive into a competition to see who can raise the most!
Write Letters
Writing letters is a great way to raise money for your cause, project, or event. You can use your letters to explain why your personal fundraiser is important to you and encourage friends and family to support you by donating!
Your letters should never be generic. Always start with your recipient’s first name and try to make your letter as personal as possible.
You can use letters to direct people to your crowdfunding campaign, but you should also include a self-addressed envelope within your letter to encourage people to send in checks (make sure you tell donors not to send cash!).
Have a Bake Sale
A bake sale is a tried and true fundraiser that brings tasty treats to your community while you raise money and awareness for your cause or project. Who can resist a good cause and a delicious cookie?
Make sure that you advertise your bake sale well in advance. You’ll also want to set up your table or booth in a well-trafficked area to attract more customers.
You can sell your tasty treats, but you can also place a tip or donation jar on the table for customers who feel extra generous.
Get as creative as you want with the confections you create. The better they taste, the more people will want to buy them!
Host a 50/50 Raffle
A 50/50 raffle is an easy fundraising idea for individuals looking to raise money for a specific cause, project, or event. They are usually paired with other types of events.
During a 50/50 raffle, individuals will buy a certain number of raffle tickets. For a normal raffle, the person with the winning number will receive a prize of some sort.
But with a 50/50 raffle, the prize is half of the money raised from the raffle ticket sales. The more tickets people buy, the more they might win!
Organize a Trivia Night
You can organize a trivia night by pairing up with a local bar or restaurant. Advertise well in advance and charge an admission fee for trivia teams who want to put their knowledge to the test.
You can also ask the restaurant or bar manager if they would be willing to give you a portion of the sales from the trivia night to bring in even more money for your cause.
Make sure that you have a good system for asking questions and getting teams’ answers. You don’t want to have a disorganized trivia fundraiser!
Try an Envelope Fundraiser
An envelope fundraiser is another easy and inexpensive way for individuals to raise money. The only cost for you is a few envelopes and a little time for set up.
Buy a pack of 100 envelopes and number each one. Then, hang them on a cork board in a central location. People who want to donate choose an envelope and give that amount.
With just 100 envelopes and the generosity of your friends and family members, you can raise over $5,000 with this fundraiser!
“Give-It Up” Fundraiser
“Give-It-Up” fundraisers are free fundraising ideas for individuals that you can do by yourself or with friends. The rules are simple: participants agree to give up an indulgence for a certain amount of time and put the money toward your cause or project.
You (and your friends) can give up something as simple as a buying coffee in the morning or weekly tickets to movies.
Instead of spending money on these expenses, you put the funds in a jar or a savings account. Over the course of several months or a year, you can save a lot of money!
Host a Tie-Dye Event
A tie-dye party is a fun community event for friends and families. Instead of just selling t-shirts to raise funds, you can host a party where people can customize their shirts.
With this event, there are plenty of ways you can raise funds. For instance, you can charge an entrance fee and/or charge for the t-shirts. Plus, you can offer food and drinks for an additional price.
Make sure that you have plenty of tie-dye supplies and a large enough outdoor space to host your event.
Organize a House Party
You’ve probably hosted a few house parties. Why not organize one to raise funds for your project or cause?
Guests can pay an entry fee to enjoy good food, card games, and friendly conversation. A house party also gives you a great opportunity to explain to people why you’re raising funds.
You can get as creative as you want with this fundraising idea for individuals. For instance, you can host a themed house party or charge a fee to people who want to request a different song.
Have a Cook-Off
Bring your friends and family together for a night of fun with a chef competition! You all can enjoy great tasting food while you raise money.
Ask a few volunteers to enter the competition for a small fee. They can make anything they want and bring it to your event. Your other friends and family members will taste each dish and vote on the favorite by contributing $1.
The winner can take home a trophy and bragging rights as the best chef.
Rent a Worker
You (and a couple of willing volunteers) can put your skills up for hire. You can do odd jobs or run errands for supporters for a donation to your project or cause.
To raise the most funds using this fundraising idea, you need to promote your fundraiser around the community by posting flyers, sharing the details on social media, and telling people in person.
Don’t forget to explain why you’re raising funds when you promote your services because this may encourage them to donate.
Hold a Rummage Sale
Rummage sales are great personal fundraising ideas because they don’t require a lot of planning and are inexpensive. Find used and no longer needed items around your house or from community members.
You can then sell the items to raise funds for your project or cause. Plan to host your sale on a day with nice weather and at a time when the most people can show up.
Promote your fundraiser by posting an ad in your local newspaper or tacking up flyers around the community.
Charity Auctions
Charity auctions can be a fast-paced and energetic way to raise more money and interact with your supporters face-to-face. You also have the opportunity to form some solid business connections!
Ask for charity auction items from local businesses; try to get as many items donated for close to nothing. That way, you can put your budget into creating a great atmosphere for your attendees.
Hire an auctioneer, send out invites, and cater in food and drinks. Make sure that everyone is aware of the rules of your charity auction beforehand. People will walk away with some unique items and experiences, and you can raise more money!
Walkathons
Walkathons are perfect for active supporters who like to show their passion for a cause. Walkathons are well-suited for healthcare-related fundraisers, but they can technically be used for any type of fundraising effort!
You’ll need to determine a location and time for your walkathon. Choose a season that is a good temperature with minimal risk of rain. Make sure you have a backup location just in case!
Then, send out invitations and design some merchandise like t-shirts and water bottles. You can sell these for an extra fee to raise money above any entrance costs you charge. Make sure you have medical and first-aid supplies nearby in the case of an accident.
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