Fundraisers for Non profit Organizations

From LoveToKnow Charity

If you're looking for ideas for fundraisers for non-profit organizations, this article is packed with ideas that might appeal to you.

Cake and pie fundraisers are popular.

Fundraisers for Non-profit Organizations

There are several 'tricks' to fundraising in the non-profit sector. Before you begin a fundraising campaign, remember to clearly define the need. What is it that this money will be used for and how will it benefit those for whom it is used. Remember that while this is your passion and that the need might be obvious to you, you have to be able to communicate that passion to other people. Once you've done that, putting together a fundraiser is the easy part!

Fundraisers that Can Make a Lot of Money

These fundraisers have the potential of making a lot of money if they're excecuted properly. You probably need to have an event person on staff or pay someone to pull off a big event. With that said, these are easily enough ideas that you could host a party or something similar with even a small organization.

A Party

People love a good party and a party for a good cause is even better. Get all the goodies donated for the party by asking area businesses to donate decorations, food, etc. in exchange for advertising. You can either sell tickets or charge to get in the door.

Holiday Cards

If your not-for-profit serves children, making holiday cards out of their art is an excellent way to thank people for their participation in the past and ask them to donate again.

Tel-a-thon

If you're able to set up phone lines, you can often tap into alumni or people who are somehow connected to your organization and simply ask them to donate funds. Treat your phone operators well by offering prizes and goodies that have been donated to area businesses.

Community Square Dance

Square dances are a lot of fun, especially if the participants are not entirely sure what they're doing! You'll need to hire a "caller" to help teach the square dance. Instead of entrance tickets, consider selling raffle tickets to win prizes that have been donated by area businesses.

Buy-a-Brick

This can be easily done if you have some part of your building that is made of brick that can be engraved. The idea behind this fundraiser is that you sell bricks and engrave the purchaser's name on the brick for all to see. Many people consider doing this in memorandum of loved ones.

Fundraisers that Build Community

These are tried and true little fundraisers that may not bring in tons of money but can earn up to $1500 if they are planned well. What's great about these little money raising ideas is that they can easily involve whole families (as opposed to just adults) and they tend to build community as everyone gets involved to work towards a common cause.

Bake Sale

There are a few tricks to a successful bake sale. The first is location. You have to be at the right location where there there is high visibility and plenty of traffic. The second trick is good advertising. A great place to sell goodies is at sports games at kids' schools. However, people have to know you're going to be there either because you're always there or because you've advertised it.

Book Fair

Many book companies such as Scholastic and Usborne will help your educational organization run a book fair for which you are reimbursed with part of the proceeds. Book fairs are great fundraisers for schools and similar type organizations because they are geared towards the overall mission.

Cookbook Sale

Do the people in your organization have fantastic recipes? Why not share them in a cookbook that you can sell. Take orders for the cookbooks before ordering them so you don't end up with a basement full of unused cookbooks.

Companies That Will Help Run Fundraisers for Non-profit Organizations

Don't want to go it alone and plan something from scratch? These companies offer great products and work with schools and other non-profits all the time.

Popcorn Palace-sells a variety of gourmet popcorn.

The Goodies Factory-offers a variety of fundraisers from cookie dough to pizza cards to flower bulbs.

TK Fundraising will do fundraisers with gourmet foods like cheesecake and cookie dough as well as gifts like stuffed teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

Choose Your Fundraiser Wisely

There are many options for successful fundraising, so choose wisely! You want to plan something based on how many people can help, and the people you serve. Think about how you can get your community involved as fundraising campaigns are another opportunity to share with people what you are about as an organization!