As I describe in my free ebook, The 5 Keys to Successful Fundraising, fundraisers fall into three general categories. I’ve created a “top 5″ list for each of these types, to help you find some of the best fundraisers. All 15 are listed on this page so you can just scroll down, or jump to the ones you’re most interested in using these links:
- Events - Fun events both large and small
- Sales - Sales of products and raffle tickets
- Direct Donations - Ask for a donation using strategies like letters and houseparties
Top 5 Event Fundraisers
There are hundreds of different events that could raise money for your organization. From auctions, to parties, to dinners and much more. Fundraising events don’t have to be large to make a big profit - events vary in size from a small home party with a dozen people to outdoor festivals with thousands of people.
I’ve chosen these 5 events as some of the best because of their fundraising potential and ability to scale in size.
1. Trivia Night
A Trivia Night fundraiser is a fun way to raise money or awareness for your cause. Most Trivia Nights are held at a restaurant or pub so they are great for a group of 10 to 50. It’s very scalable so it can be an even larger event too. You’ll raise funds by charging admission and having extra fundraisers such as raffles and auctions.
The Trivia Night Event Wizard will create a professional, custom trivia game to use at your fundraising event.
> Find out more about Trivia Nights
2. Dinner Fundraiser
Dinners are one of the most popular, tried and true events and there are actually many ways to hold a dinner fundraiser. The menu can be anything from burgers and fries to a gourmet black tie dinner or anything in between. Dinner fundraisers aren’t just limited to “dinner time” either. You can host a breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or brunch meal.
To make a dinner fundraiser most successful schedule a program that will draw in more people. A musical performance, play, speaker, fashion show or dance will draw in more participants. Hosting additional fundraisers such as raffles and auctions will help raise more money.
> Find out more about Dinner Fundraisers
3. Silent Auctions
Silent auctions are often added on to other events such as dinners and galas. They are great ways to increase your fundraising revenues at these events. Silent auctions are often very popular with attendees, especially if there are some great prizes.
> Find out more about Silent Auctions
4. Online Auctions
Online Auctions for Charity can be a good way to raise funds for a non profit organization. There are several ways to set up an online auction. This article is a basic introduction to online auctions for charity:
> Find out more about Online Auctions
5. Golf Tournaments
Many special event planners have a love/hate relationship with golf events. They are a traditional fundraiser that can be a great money maker or on the flipside can be a big money and time drain.
The trick is in the planning and execution of the event. First time golf tourneys should start small and build depending on what works best for your audience, organization and location.
> Find out more about Golf Events
When planning an event fundraiser, plan your budget well. Costs can sometimes overtake special events and that does not honor your supporters donations well. Increase revenues at events with add-ons such as raffles, food sales, auctions, and corporate sponsors to be most successful.
Top 5 Product & Sales Fundraisers
Product sales are good fundraisers for many groups such as schools and sports teams. A good sales fundraiser will offer 40-90% net profit. When reviewing the many products or sales ideas available consider the value and appeal to your supporters.
These are 5 of the top fundraising products because of the high value that they offer consumers and the high profit potential for groups.
1. Discount Cards
Discount cards are one of the best fundraisers that can be used by a wide variety of groups. A discount card is a custom printed plastic card that volunteers sell to residents in the local community, normally for $10.
The cards have coupon type offers with unlimited use for a specific time period, usually one year. Discount cards are easy to transport & sell, have high profit margins and offer a great value to your supporters.
> Find out more about Discount Cards
2. Raffles
Raffles raise funds through the sales of tickets, or chances, to win a particular prize. They can be a great fundraiser because of the low cost and high profit potential. Legal restrictions about raffles vary by location so research applicable state and local laws thoroughly.
3. Cookie Dough Fundraising
Cookie dough fundraiser - There are many groups that can benefit from a cookie dough sale. There are now five different catalogs that your group can use to raise funds. This includes gourmet cookies and even healthy low fat options. When you can offer such great options it will make it easy for your supporters to participate in the sale, helping you raise more money.
> Find out more about cookie dough fundraisers
4. Chocolate Candy Bars
Candy bars are an easy to sell fundraiser because so many people enjoy chocolate. Candy bars can be sold at most schools and places of business. Most candy bar fundraising companies offer carrying cases or display boxes.
World’s Finest Chocolate - Delicious candy bars including Almond Bars, Caramel Bars, Crisp Bars, Ravin’ Raisins and Milk Chocolate candy. $1, $2 and $5 premium chocolates.
Hershey Fundraisers - As one of America’s favorite chocolate brands, these bars are sure to sell themselves. Includes Chocolate with Almonds, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit-Kit and More.
> Find out more about chocolate fundraisers
5. Online Magazine Sales
Online Magazine Fundraising is just about as easy of a program as you can find!
Simply send out emails to friends and family offering sale prices on hundreds of magazine titles.
Your group earns 40% commission with very little work involved.
> Find out more about Online Magazine Fundraisers
As you consider the various product fundraisers available remember to evaluate them based on the potential profit for your group AND the value to your customers. There are many great sales fundraising ideas. I encourage you to find the one that’s right for your group.
Top 5 Donation Request Fundraisers
There are many causes and organizations that benefit most from direct donations from strong supporters. Requesting donations is often a most cost effective way to raise money. The cost of producing the fundraiser are often less than other strategies, so more of your donors dollars go directly to help your mission. Here are 5 strategies for requesting donations for your cause:
1. Fundraising Letters
While direct mail is often in a category by itself, I include it with direct donations because the letter is simply the vehicle to make the request.
The success of letter campaigns vary widely depending on the organization, audience and focus of the letter. Campaign planners should consider every aspect of the campaign before placing those stamps on the envelopes.
> Find out more about Fundraising Letters
2. House Parties
A houseparty is not a “special event” like a dinner where tickets are sold, sponsorships are solicited and auctions are held to raise funds. The focus is entirely on the mission of the organization and how it fulfils its purpose.
People who have an interest in the cause and learning more about the organization are invited to a friend or college’s home and listen to a presentation. Attendees learn first hand what impact their support will have and are encouraged to make direct donations.
> Find out more about House Parties
3. Direct ASK
Requesting donations, especially major gifts, face to face epitomizes the relationship centered approach to fundraising. It can also be rather nerve-racking!
Marc Pitman simplifies this process and shows you how to ask for donations with confidence. In a one hour interview Marc shared many of his strategies including the “Get REAL” system for asking for donations, tips on how to make new contacts, the formula for knowing if someone is a good prospect, how to turn a one time gift into an annual pledge and other insightful topics.
> Find out more about Direct ASK strategies
4. Grants
Many organizations apply for grants in order to get funds. There are a variety of places that award grants including national foundations, corporations and community and family foundations. Often grants can make a big difference to an organization because of the size of the awards which can range from $1,000 to hundreds of thousands. Often a strong relationship with a grant maker can propel the charity toward success in other areas as well.
5. Change Collections
Just about every gas station, restaurant and convenience store has some kind of change jar it seems. Those pennies can add up - but it takes more work than you might think to run a successful change collection drive.
It’s important to have a planned strategy for your collection drive, plenty of locations and a great publicity campaign to go along with it.
> Find out more about Change Collections
Direct request donation strategies go way beyond the immediate dollars your group receives. Developing a strong relationship with people that really care about your cause can have a huge impact on your group’s ability to fulfill its mission. Strong supporters help strengthen an organization, volunteer, become spokespeople and lifelong benefactors.
Sandra Sims
Fundraising Coach,
StepByStepFundraising.com
