| One of the challenges for any group or organization is | | | | keep in mind that you don't want this to be a big |
| finding new ways to raise funds. It seems that | | | | rummage sale. It works best when the majority of |
| everyone sells candy bars or puts on a car wash. | | | | your vendors are selling new items. If you set your |
| Below are some fundraising ideas that might be a | | | | rent low enough you can also request that a |
| nice change and help your group raise funds using | | | | percentage of sales go to the group. For example, |
| something unique that isn't being done by every | | | | you can rent tables for $10 and then ask for 10 |
| other group out there. | | | | percent of their sales for your group. |
| 1. Silent Auction | | | | One thing to keep in mind is that in order for people |
| Have various members of your group donate items | | | | to rent a space or table they need to know that |
| and then hold a silent auction. It is easy to do this. | | | | people will be attending this event. Hence, make sure |
| Just set aside a table or shelf. Give each item a piece | | | | all group members publicize it. Put fliers for the event |
| of paper that people can write their bids on. The | | | | everywhere you can and consider placing an ad in |
| highest bidder wins the auction. | | | | the newspaper. If your vendors find your event was |
| 2. Direct Sales Companies | | | | successful for them, they will be calling you asking |
| Several of the direct sales and party plan companies | | | | you to do it again. Hence, more funds for your |
| also have fundraising programs. Some of these | | | | organization. |
| programs are quite good. What is nice about some of | | | | 5. A New Take on Car Washes |
| these plans is that your group does not have to buy | | | | I mentioned car washes earlier. Several groups seem |
| any stock in advance. Everything is done using | | | | to do them. However, there is a different way to do |
| catalogs. People place their orders and the consultant | | | | car washes that can actually raise more money for |
| orders all the items. The majority of the time the | | | | your group. This is done by selling tickets to your car |
| consultant will pack all the orders and separate them | | | | wash in advance. You will be surprised at how many |
| by seller. Usually the consultant will give some type of | | | | people will buy a ticket. Some of them may not |
| incentive for the highest seller to encourage more | | | | come to the car wash but will buy a ticket to help |
| fundraiser sales. Examples of direct sales companies | | | | out your group. Some groups have actually doubled |
| that have fundraiser programs are Tupperware and | | | | their fundraiser proceeds by selling these tickets in |
| Avon. These companies have a good reputation and | | | | advance. |
| a well know brand name. This helps to encourage | | | | 6. Host a luncheon or dinner |
| your sales. If you use a company that is not well | | | | Hosting a luncheon or dinner is a nice way to raise |
| know, your sales may not be as good. | | | | funds. Of course, you have to host the dinner but |
| 3. Rummage Sale | | | | this may not be as difficult as you might think. Many |
| Put on a rummage sale. Ask for donations from all | | | | restaurants have specials rooms that they use to |
| groups members. Advertise your rummage sale in the | | | | host conferences, etc. These rooms can be rented |
| yard sale section of your local newspaper. Have your | | | | for a fundraiser dinner. Often, the restaurants will also |
| group members help at the fundraiser. The easiest | | | | provide the food. Hence, it is just a matter of |
| way to price everything is to have tables for each | | | | determining the cost of the room and the meals and |
| price group. Then make signs for each table. For | | | | then adding so much per ticket. Sell the tickets in |
| example, everything on this table is $1. Making a sign | | | | advance. Following are some ideas on luncheons and |
| for each table or even for a certain corner or box will | | | | dinners.a. Hold a Valentine's Day dinner. Order a nice |
| help eliminate the extra work of pricing everything | | | | cake, have candy hearts on the tables, balloons, |
| individually. | | | | flowers, etc. One time I went to such an event with |
| 4. Host a vendor fair or Farmer's Market or Trade | | | | my church. Our pastor actually did a vow renewal |
| Show | | | | service for all of us and the night was very special.b. |
| This works well if you have a building or parking lot. | | | | Christmas lunch or dinner. Decorate the room in a |
| Rent out booths. This can be as simple as each | | | | Christmas theme and have some gifts set aside. Play |
| parking space is so much or so much per table. | | | | games for the gifts. Provide a small gift for everyone |
| Those in direct sales are always looking for | | | | who buys a dinner ticket.c. Any type of theme will |
| opportunities to set up displays so they are the first | | | | work. Make it fun and interesting so people will want |
| ones you should call. Contact law enforcement | | | | to purchase tickets to your event. |
| agencies and other informational type organizations | | | | Fundraising can definitely be a challenge. However, |
| who might be willing to set up a display. You can also | | | | there are plenty of options out there. I only listed a |
| rent spaces to group members who may want to | | | | few of them above, but the opportunities out there |
| sell some stuff lying around their house but don't | | | | for raising funds are endless. |
| want to put on a yard sale of their own. However, | | | | |