For many organisations, such as non-profits, schools, and churches, fundraising is essential. Fortunately, there have never been so many fundraising options available, with traditional avenues like auctions and raffles joined by crowdsourcing and social media. That gives you more tools than ever to attract the funding you need to make the difference your organisation is striving to achieve.
To help you narrow your options down, we’ve put together a list of fundraising ideas so you can quickly find the ones that meet your needs. Look for these handy ratings to quickly and easily judge whether a particular type of event fits your organisation:
1) Fundraising potential from ★ to ★★★★
2) Overhead cost from £ to ££££
3) Event complexity from + to ++++
Fundraising potential assesses how much, comparatively, an event might be expected to raise. Overhead cost estimates the level of funding you’ll first need to put on the event. And, event complexity measures the many moving parts and variables an event contains. school fundraiser
Social fundraising
1. Fashion show
Got a catwalk? Got models? You actually don’t need either to pull off a fundraising fashion show. At the Cancer Warrior Fashion Show & Brunch Charity Event in Powder Springs, Georgia, put on by Bald Nation Rocks Against Cancer, the catwalk featured cancer survivors while live music, spoken word, and a silent auction added to the fun.
When and where?
Piggyback onto the four major fashion weeks of New York, London, Milan and Paris – held twice a year on successive weekends typically in February and September, or counter-programme and host yours in summer and winter. Host it indoors or outdoors – set up tents and heaters if there’s a risk of rain or cold weather.
Challenges to consider
Designers and models tend to be the stars of a fashion show; finding stars to make your event stand out takes persistence and a keen eye.
Expert opinion
1) Fundraising potential ★★★
2) Overhead cost ££
3) Event complexity ++
2. Auction a date
This idea works great if the date in question is someone well-known or beloved in the community. Think outside the box on this one. Maybe it’s your CEO – dressed up for the date as the winner’s choice character from history?
When and where?
Although romance is a year-long affair, an event around Valentine’s Day might attract additional interest.
Challenges to consider
Keep this event fun and light-hearted as a strategy to avoid any unseemly overtones.
Expert opinion
1) Fundraising potential ★★★
2) Overhead cost £
3) Event complexity +
3. Silent auction
Get creative with the auction items. Think about experiences instead of things. Perhaps you have a donor willing to grant access to their holiday home for the weekend, for instance.
When and where?
If your event is tax-deductible, an end-of-year event might inspire additional donations from those seeking to meet certain charitable giving thresholds. Host it in a dining hall, ballroom, or similar indoor venue, which can have better acoustics than outdoor settings.
Challenges to consider
Procuring donations that people will want to bid on is key.
Expert opinion
1) Fundraising potential ★★★★
2) Overhead cost ££
3) Event complexity ++
4. Fair
Skip the antique carousels and make up your own games with homemade stalls and costumes for a lower cost and more personalised event experience.
When and where?
Given that most of the event occurs outdoors, warm weather might be preferred. You’ll need plenty of space, so set up in an expansive car park, large park, or empty field.
Challenges to consider
Along with rides and attractions, fairs typically include food and drink stalls, souvenir booths, and similar features, so there are a wide variety of vendors to accommodate.
Expert opinion
1) Fundraising potential ★★★
2) Overhead cost £££
3) Event complexity ++++
5. Treasure hunt
Use an app like Actionbound to set up a treasure hunt that combines an IRL experience with augmented reality.
When and where?
Choose a place with plenty of features that can help hide your treasures. Hold it outdoors in nice weather or, if rain, snow, or cold pose a threat, rent out an indoor playground or similar area for more comfortable hunting.
Challenges to consider
Some less-tech-savvy guests may be inexperienced with augmented reality features, so be ready to provide some assistance.
Expert opinion
1) Fundraising potential ★★
2) Overhead cost ££
3) Event complexity +++