Charity Fundraising Ideas

For non-profit organizations, schools, and churches, fundraising is not only essential to ensure the smooth running and functioning, but, is also an important source of income. Volunteer groups sometimes help these non-profit organizations by providing some novel fundraising ideas. Ideas come in great numbers, but only a few are successful. People should think out-of-the-box in order to come up with good ideas. Sometimes, tweaking an existing idea can also be a good option. Brainstorming sessions, too, can help get a few great ideas. Raffles, donations, car washes, car donations, candy bar fundraising, auctions, etc. are some examples of good fundraising ideas. Let us discuss some of the better ideas in detail.

Charity 50:50 Raffle
One of the simplest fundraising ideas, a 50:50 raffle can be fit for any event. A raffle is a competition wherein people buy numbered tickets, for a chance to win a prize or some amount of money. Search for an event happening in your city, where you can put up the fundraising counter, and sell raffle tickets. The event can be anything, from a rock concert, to a simple launch of a new showroom. Offer a grand prize, usually half the total amount of money collected from sale of the raffle tickets. The other half of the money goes to your organization or cause. You should try to sell maximum number of tickets, as bigger the amount, bigger the fund raised would be. If the amount collected is significant, a thrilling atmosphere can be created by displaying the amount on a notice board. This may encourage people who haven't bought tickets to participate in the raffle. It is important to host the event in a dynamic and cheerful way, hence, the host should be someone who can interact with people and keep them happy.

In the end, just before announcing the results, check if anyone wants to buy more tickets. The announcement should be a vital part of the event. Add a little drama and suspense to it by announcing the results slowly. Though people are disappointed when they don't win, they are usually happy to have contributed towards a good cause.

Charity Car Wash
This is another very simple idea, and is real fun too. All you need to do is, decide a venue for the car wash, and then advertise the event well enough, so that maximum people are made aware of it. Advertisement could be through posters, local media, or word-of-mouth. One should not choose a location like a park, or, locations where the dirty water can cause harm to the environment or surroundings. A location on a busy road, like a gas station, where people can get their car washed and filled simultaneously, is preferred, as it will attract more people to the event. Price the car wash reasonably, according to the type and size of the vehicle being washed. Design some attractive, colorful signboards, related to the car wash, and have your group members display them to attract more people. Try to wash as many cars as possible, as this will increase the amount collected for your cause. While the car is being washed, you can give the car owner, information about your organization, and the work you do, so that he/she knows the organization well and can volunteer, if he/she wants to, for its cause.

Charity Auctions
An auction is another great way to raise funds for your cause. Auctions can take different forms and can easily fit into other charity events. Online auctions have been reasonably successful in the recent past. Ask as many people as you know, and contact companies who wish to support the cause. Usually, used goods are preferred for auctions. Auction of new goods generally forms a part of charity dinners. A point to remember is, that besides goods, you can auction some services too. Services a person can auction are:

• Car-washing
• Guitar lessons
• Gardening
• Baby sitting
• Ironing

People with businesses can market their services to gain customers.

Charity Rubber Wristbands
Rubber wristbands are known by many names, like awareness rubber bracelets, fundraising wristbands, etc. People call them by different names, but, the purpose remains the same, and that is to spread awareness about the organization or the cause. These bands are thin silicone or rubber bands, on which the particular color or name of the organization is printed. When people buy and wear these bands, the organization not only raises funds, but also spreads awareness. Selling the bands as entry tickets in a fair or fete, is a fine way of promoting the cause and raising funds. Or if you own a restaurant, giving discounts to people who wear them is also an option. These bands were popularized by Lance Armstrong with his trademark 'LIVESTRONG' bands. Armstrong is an inspiration for people who are diagnosed with cancer. They believe they will survive, just as he successfully fought prostate cancer.

These are a few unique fundraising ideas, which have done exceptionally well in the past, but, there are infinitely many more ways too. All you need is to be creative and spend some brainstorming sessions before you actually proceed with charity fundraising.