Creative Fundraising Ideas

Raising funds for a social cause is not a new phenomenon. The need to help others through means of money, time and effort is embedded in us through the values taught at home, school as well as our places of worship. But anyone who has raised funds knows that it is not really a piece of cake. For a fundraiser to be successful, it is important that it is well planned and executed. The main objective of amassing a large amount of funds must be met for a fundraiser to be successful.

Fundraising Ideas

For Schools

A school fundraising event is an excellent way to have money raised and is mostly quite productive as the children do the needful of coaxing their parents to help in their mission of raising funds. A school fundraiser is usually held on the school ground or hall, and has a large number of entertaining stalls put up. Try any of the following to raise funds:

• Raffle: Nothing works better than this. Sell raffle tickets well in advance to garner publicity about the fundraiser. Get discounted gifts to save more.
• Cookie Stalls: Baked goodies is always an attractive option, as a school event attracts lots of kids along with their parents.
• Flower Sale: Buy flowers at bulk rate and sell them. If your event is close to mother's, father, or even woman's day, selling flowers will be a great idea.
• Game Stalls: Add a gaming zone to your event, earmark 4 - 6 stalls for different games. Make sure they are easy to play but not so easy to win. Once again, get prizes at discounts.
• Donation Counter: Allot one stall right at the beginning to educate people about the reason for holding the fundraiser. Get the school's best talker to do the job. Then the rewards will be plenty.

For Individuals

Funds can be raised by individuals too. As long as the funds you seek is meant for a social or a charitable cause, and not for personal gain, people will help. An easy ways to advertise your cause is through your friends, workplace and newspaper. Most importantly don't forget to mention the reason for the fundraising.

• Direct Appeal: Appeal directly to individuals and/or organizations to make donations. Meet people personally in this regard.
• Yard Sale: Hole a yard sale, invite others too to set up stalls in return of a cover charge, a donation or a percentage.
• Private Exhibition: Individuals who are talented in the field of painting, sculpting, or any other creative crafts can hold exhibitions to garner funds.
• Bake Sale: If you are good at baking or cooking up something really unique, hold sales in schools and large company cafeterias, and also seek a donation while you are meeting individuals.

For Charity

Funds that need to be raised for charity involves large-scale preparations as well as ideas for minuscule amounts don't really help. Raising funds for charity that is associated with work that has been well advertised and has a celebrity to endorse it will make the collection easier.

• Donations: A large number of charities who are endorsed by celebrities are also funded by them, take their help to expand the celebrity base and seek donations for your cause.
• Games Tournament: Nothing pulls a large crowd like a game of baseball, basketball or football. Team up with local favorites as well as rival team, and get the ball rolling.
• Organize a Fair: A fair for all will pull all. Have plenty of games, books, crafts and goodie stalls. Either organize it yourself, or invite others by charging them rent or cover charges.

A good fundraiser works as an advertisement for your name and organization for the future. Plan well ahead, advertise well ahead, and make sure your accounting is in place. And if you are short on time, bear in mind that car wash and lemonade stalls are two ideas that always yield good results.