If your favorite nonprofit organization is lacking funds, a fundraiser is a great way to fill the coffers. If you plan on going to all that effort, make sure your fundraising is a fun one that people will want to participate in.
David Johnson Cane Bay Partners located in St. Croix was recently “arrested” and had to call friends to donate enough money so he could get out of jail. Johnson, whose company provides financial consulting, enjoyed the experience. When fundraising is fun, people happily participate. Here are some ways you can put the fun back into fundraising.
1. Plan a Treadmill Race
Just a few minutes a day of exercise can lengthen your life, so why not host a treadmill race? This is a fun way to encourage people to exercise and raise money. Ask people to commit to a specific time of working on the treadmill. Those people then ask others to make a pledge for each mile that person completes.
You can either work with a local gym or have people compete virtually using their treadmill at home.
2. Serve Breakfast
The right breakfast can help your heart, so why not turn it into a fundraiser? Get donations of breakfast foods from local businesses, including muffins and fruit as well as bagels and coffee. Create a menu showing the items for sale, but also list beside those items the positive impact buying each item will benefit your nonprofit. For example, buying a bagel could help buy school supplies for a child in need.
Have people place orders, and then get volunteers to deliver the breakfast orders on the designated day.
3. Put on a Murder Mystery
Host a murder mystery and invite people to participate by paying a registration fee. Encourage people to dress in costume to make the event even more fun.
Ask a few local businesses to donate prizes. Award them to those who made the best guess as to “whodunnit”.
4. Host an Amateur Film Contest
Organize an amateur film festival. Ask people to create productions using their smartphones. Provide entrants with tips on how to create a video. During the festival, have those attending donate money to cast votes for their favorite video.
5. Hold a Scavenger Hunt
A fun, low-cost way to raise money for your organization is to hold a scavenger hunt. Before the event, charge participants a registration fee and offer hints in exchange for additional donations. On the morning of the event, leave designated objects around town and offer a prize to the team that finds the most of these objects.
6. Organize a Themed “Race”
Host a 5K race with a twist. Make it a theme and encourage participants to dress in costume. You can choose any theme that suits your fancy, from zombie dress to favorite sci-fi characters. Ask entrants to collect pledges.
All nonprofit organizations need money in order to operate, so make it fun. By turning fundraising into an event that people enjoy, they’ll want to participate every year. Your fundraiser will turn into a memorable annual event that’s a huge success.
