Raise fun and funds this summer!

Even though school is out and many families are on vacation, the very real need for cash for your organization remains intact. Summer isn’t typically a time of high impact giving but it could be a good time to try out a few fundraising ideas that can lead to a positive impact on your bottom line. Here are ten fundraising ideas that don’t require a lot of time, effort, or (wo)man power. And in case you missed the first round, here are our original quick fundraising ideas.

Table, Table, Table

Is there a farmers market or weekly concert in your area? Chances are these are put on by friendly non-profits that would be happy to lend you some space to display print material. Send a few chatty representatives to advertise your cause. Remember to include a sign-up sheet for names, addresses, emails and phone numbers!

Online

There are many online fundraising sites that are user-friendly and cost very little to operate. Kickstarter and Razoo are just a few. These are also excellent resources for fundraising ideas. Make your ask for donations concise and measurable (say $50 will support one team member at soccer camp for one day), and make sure you have a beginning and end to the donation period. This could be a day, a weekend, a week or bi-weekly period. Remember that unending asks can lead to donor fatigue.

Raffle

Do you know why raffles happen all the time? It’s because they are popular and people like them. Also, they make lots of money! Often an individual who is unsure of donating to a cause or to buying a ticket to an event will tend to purchase a raffle ticket or two….or ten.  Plus, it’s easy to find compelling raffle items. Ask around to your family and friends. Luxury items with wide appeal are good, and jewelry, vacations, spa days or electronics will always be appealing to a potential raffle ticket buyer. Most people will be flattered by the solicitation for a donation item and happy to help in any way that they can.

Business Donations

Think about which local business matches especially well with your cause. Smoothies? Coffee? Groceries? Put together a succinct approach that would demonstrate how them donating 5% every third Tuesday of the month would compel your supporters to frequent their business. It’s a win-win for everyone. You get cash; the donor business gets more people purchasing their products. Some larger corporations like Whole Foods have established giving days and applications in their local stores.

Personal Gifts

This is becoming a major trend with birthdays, weddings, holidays and other occasions. Instead of asking for presents, ask for donations to your favorite cause. Let your family and friends how meaningful this would be to you and your organization. It could be a monetary donation or a specific product like soccer balls or classroom supplies…something that potential donors would find fun to shop for.

Crafternoon

Take a simple activity you enjoy doing with friends and make it a small fundraiser. Invite 20-40 friends and acquaintances to craft for a cause or coffee for a cause. Serve homemade bread or cookies and lemonade, and lead a simple craft, say card making. Request a $10 donation at the door. You may find that to be the most fun and easy $200 you ever made.

Matching Gifts

Did you know that hundreds if not thousands of corporations match their employees’ donations, usually dollar for dollar? A complete list of these can be found online. Many employees don’t even know about this benefit, so educating them can be a good way to double your money. Another effective use of matching gifts is to find a larger donor for a specific cause. Say a local bank in town will pledge $500 in matching funds and all money raised goes towards scholarships, in turn they can display a sign at your soccer games.

Pay to Play

Have supporters pay to have a team coach, Executive Director, mascot or other popular (or unpopular) individual do something silly or embarrassing at a public event. It could be drinking Gatorade out of a soccer cleat, getting a pie in the face or singing a karaoke song.

Lemonade Stand

Lemonade stands are hot right now. They can be a one-time event or an accompaniment to a weekly game or farmers market. Let your thirsty customers know that all monies raised go to your cause or group and don’t forget that tip jar! Find a high foot traffic area and some cute kiddo servers and don’t forget that dogs get thirsty too! Have a water bowl ready.

Sponsors

Brainstorm a targeted list of supplies that you need, with costs for each; then ask people to sponsor items. Request a wide range: iPads for the classroom or books or art supplies or teacher training. The campaign could last the summer than have a fun party for donors in the fall. Announce what they’ve sponsored with little stickers on their name tags.
In short, summer can provide a good opportunity to raise money, especially if you get creative. Large public events are great ways to spread the good word of your organization and meet potential supporters. Summertime is a wonderful time to fundraise and fun raise!