Recruit several volunteers to make any fundraiser a success.
Skip the standard fundraising ideas and techniques and go the creative route to raise the most money for your organization or charity. Fundraising is necessary for not-for-profit organizations because it is their sole source of income; therefore, implementing fresh and new ideas will help to keep a steady flow of money. Recruit volunteers and plan ahead to get the most bang out of your fundraising efforts.
Movie Night
Hold a movie night to raise money for your organization. To organize a movie night you will first need to obtain a public performance license to avoid copyright laws, the fees will vary depending on the age of the movie you want to display. Reserve a large area that contains enough space to set up an inflatable movie screen, or an area that contains a large building that a large white tarp can substitute for a movie screen. The area should be flat, preferably grassy and large. Sell tickets to the movie up to four weeks prior to the date to ensure a good turnout. To raise additional funds, set up a concession stand with candy, popcorn and drinks to sell to patrons during the movie.
Murder Mystery
Create your own murder mystery dinner theater as a fundraiser. Reserve the school cafeteria or community center building to hold the dinner theater and ask volunteers to supply the food. Design the storyline before selling tickets so you will have an idea of how many people you will need to participate and how many volunteers you will need to play scripted roles. Create tickets to sell for a set price, which includes dinner, and ask ticket purchasers if they would like to be included in the storyline. You will need several small, minimal speaking roles for the guests if they want to be included. Decorate the space to help set the mood for the storyline.
Themed Trivia Night
Put a funky twist on a surefire money maker. Trivia nights are always a great time and bring in big bucks, especially when used in conjunction with other fundraisers such as the 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. Reserve a spot that is large enough to hold tables to seat eight to 10 people and have a small concession area to serve drinks and snacks to hungry patrons. Before sending out ticket information, choose a theme for the trivia night and base the questions, decorations and attire specifications around the specific theme, such as '80s night. Decorate the area in bright, vivid colors and balloons. Set the questions to reflect '80s fashion, history, celebrities and other information taken directly from the '80s. Ask patrons to participate by dressing in '80s attire and decorating their table with a '80s theme. Tickets should be sold up to four weeks in advance.
Include the 50/50 raffle in the trivia night. The raffle collects a set dollar amount for each ticket and tickets are sold throughout the night. Near the end of the night, a ticket is drawn and the winner collects half of the pot of money. Another trivia night moneymaker includes a silent auction. Ask local businesses to donate items or baskets of product to be auctioned off during the trivia. The proceeds from the winnings go directly to the organization.
Costume Party
Hold a costume party regardless if it is Halloween season or not. Costumes sit, unused, in closets through the year to only resurface during the famous October holiday. Reserve a large area that can double as a party place, preferably with concession stands and a stage. Ask community members to donate old decorations to use. Send out ticket information to the community telling them to come dressed in their favorite costumes to party for a good cause. Set up games for partygoers to enjoy and ask a local band to play music for dancing. Concession stand food should be available to serve to patrons and raise more money for the organization.
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