Here are some tips, tricks, and ideas on DIY fundraising! Consider hosting an event to help out one of our families here at iCare!
The best tip I have is WORD OF MOUTH! Tell everyone you know! Have them pass it along. Also, don't ask for too much! Even if it is the sacrifice of a persons morning coffee, fast food, etc it adds up! Here are some links with ideas. Some are quite traditional, others are wacky! Get creative, get motivated! If a mere military SAHM can do it, so can you! Always remember to "pay it forward"!
If you have any fundraiser ideas that you would like to share please email us at icare4causes@gmail.com
Sell your Wares
Balloon-O-Gram
Cook Book
Car Wash
Basket Raffle
Make Believe Tea Party
50/50 Raffle
House numbers
The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead.
More ideas-
Deposit Bottle Collection
This fundraiser works great in the States with a returnable bottle deposit or area with money for scrap collection facility. Create a flyer with information about your group and what you are collecting money for. Pick a collection day and instruct people to place their returnable bottles and cans on the front porch by 9:00 AM. Distribute them house to house in local neighborhoods. Avoid placing them in mailboxes, as this violates federal law. Give a few days notice to leave people time to collect their bottles and cans, but not enough time to forget. This is an easy way to collect money because you are taking away the hassle of returning the bottles. Make sure you print up a thank you note to leave at the houses that leave you bottles. On the collection day it will be easiest to drive around the neighborhood in trucks and vans, so that you have plenty of room for all the bottles and cans.Head Shaving
A head shaving fundraiser can have many incarnations, so you are only limited by your imagination. Here are a few ideas to help you brainstorm. Find a school teacher or principal willing to shave their head for your fundraiser. Someone who has long hair would be ideal, because they will seem to be giving up more and people will be more willing to donate. Have a public head shaving when your goal has been met. Let the top donors or fundraisers take turns with the clippers or find a local barber willing to do it. As an alternative, you could also do a beard or mustache shaving. Find a salon or barbershop willing to donate their time, service and place of business for a day. Offer head shaving and hair cuts in return for a donation. Find a group of people willing to shave their heads in support of someone who may be losing their hair to chemotherapy. Have them find sponsors who are willing to donate money in return for shaving their head. Some charities will collect donated hair to make wigs for cancer patients. Check with local organizations or beauty salons about the requirements for donations.Pancake Breakfast
This is one of the most common fundraisers because it's easy and inexpensive to plan, and who doesn't like pancakes? You'll find everything you need to make the pancakes at the grocery store, or in large quantities at a club store. Don't forget the syrup! You can even offer a couple of flavored syrups, like blueberry, if you want to make it more fun and tasty. You'll also need a couple of large electric griddles and a place to plug them in. This fundraiser is best held somewhere that offers places to sit and eat, like a cafeteria. Check with your local schools to see if you can host your pancake breakfast at one of them. You can charge either by the pancake, or by the plate with a set number of pancakes served. This kind of fundraiser is great for Sundays, and makes a great church fundraiser. If you can hold it at your church, everyone can come by and have a warm breakfast after services.
All You Can Eat Potato Bar
Tired of the same old spaghetti dinner fundraisers? Try having an all you can eat potato bar for your group’s next dinner fundraiser. People will enjoy the change and there is a minimal preparation for it. You will want to have baked potatoes with all the fixin’s. Chili, sour cream, shredded cheese, butter, steamed broccoli, melted cheese, chives, bacon bits, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, hot peppers, ham, and spices.. The possibilities are endless. Consider setting up a craft station for your younger diners, with carved potato stamps, ink and paper. Put sprout your own potato kits up for sale. These can be easily made with recycled glass jars, tooth picks, potato, and growing instructions. This would be a great time to have a 50/50 raffle. Advertise in your local area with flyers, signs, and by contacting the local newspapers. Sell tickets in advance as well as at the door. You may want to offer a small discount to those buying in advance to encourage early sales.
