Incorporate a concession stand, when possible, into all of your fundraising ideas.
Fundraisers are necessary for many schools, churches and nonprofit organizations. Fundraising events provide some, if not all, of the funds required to host group activities or help a deserving constituency. Although the primary focus of fundraising is to gather funds, there is no reason that fundraisers shouldn't be fun. Raising money can be serious business, but it can also be an opportunity to exercise creativity and build your group's camaraderie.
Dating Game Fundraiser
This idea is a take-off on a once-popular television game show "Singled Out." Three bachelorettes (the contestants) vie for the opportunity to go on a date with one comely bachelor (or vice versa). A curtain or partition separates the bachelor from the contestants so the selection is made blindly. Armed with a list of questions, the bachelor alternates between the contestants asking questions. The questions can be both serious and funny. For example, "Bachelorette Number One, what animal do you resemble?" or "What is your idea of a great first date?" Make sure the questions are interesting and provocative. Of course, in smaller organizations, you will need to advertise to the larger community to ensure anonymity between the contestants and the bachelor. The group raises money by having the contestants pay to play and selling tickets to the event. The bachelors are recruited in advance of the event and agree to take the winner on a date.
eBay Fundraiser
At least one month prior, find a time and place for the event. You will need a large room, such as a school lunchroom or banquet hall. Collect items to sell on eBay. Request items that can potentially fetch a good price, such as small electronics, language CDs or a collection of romance books. Despite your request, you will get many items that may not sell on eBay but would sell at the garage sale. If you have items that would not ship easily (such as a television), you can conduct a silent auction in addition to the garage sale. In advance of the event, set up your auction items so all auctions end during the event and within 10 minutes of each other. You can also raise money by selling admission tickets and the garage sale items.
During the event, as the items sell on eBay, build excitement by making loud speaker announcements of the current bid price starting a few minutes before the final bid. You may even want to set up computers so shoppers can make last-minute bids on the items. Meanwhile, attendees will have fun snapping up the garage sale items and purchasing concession stand food. Solicit a local DJ to provide background music for shopping.
Music Festival Fundraiser
Every community has plenty of organic talent. Canvass your community for musicians. Look for singers, guitar players, flutists, grade school music teachers -- whoever you can find. You can hold this event indoors and out. Give each musician a set time to play and a place to perform. They can perform on stage, in a corner of the room, under a tree or strolling the grounds. Several musicians can perform at one time if there is sufficient room. Another idea is to have the grade school music teacher conduct percussion workshops for children. Set up carnival games, and charge for admission. Sell face-painting or temporary music-themed tattoos as well. To maximize your earnings, sell hot dogs, soda and chips. Make t-shirts with the festival logo or name to raise even more money for your group.
Fashion Show Fundraiser
Host a fashion show. Time the show around a major shopping time, such as back-to-school, the start of summer or a holiday. Find an indoor location with a stage. You may also need to find a do-it-yourself-er within your group to build a runway. Local stores may be happy to loan clothes as long as you publicize the store in all of your event marketing. Solicit volunteers to model. Use all sizes, ages and genders to provide fashion ideas to a wider cross-section of ticket purchasers. Find a knowledgeable commentator to talk about the outfits. Sell tickets to the event.
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