Ideas for Your Community Fundraiser
By Denise Fabella, Guest Blogger
For a volunteer, no cause is too big or too small: supporting your local school’s arts program is just as important as funding money for cancer research. But sometimes, a volunteer might want their actions to go above and beyond what they have done in the past. Is there anything more a volunteer can do than just volunteer? Is there a bigger way to raise money for your cause and spread the word to those around you?
Sharing is caring, and sharing that warm feeling of doing good with the people you love is showing how much you care about them. The best part is that you do not need to look further than your neighborhood to make a difference.
Below are a few ideas for your next community fundraiser:
Dedicate Your Birthday to a Cause
Your birthday deserves to be celebrated. While receiving gifts can be exhilarating, it can also be a burden on the wallet of your loved ones.
This year, dedicate your birthday to a cause you are passionate about. Instead of hoping your family and friends surprise you with presents on your birthday, ask them to donate money or material goods to your fundraiser. When you celebrate your birthday, you’ll also be celebrating your friends and family for supporting your cause.
Kelan Masinelli of Edwardsville, Illinois, was diagnosed with Lissencephaly, a rare brain disorder, when he was only four months old. For his 10th birthday, Kelan's parents hosted a birthday party was and a free movie screening as a fundraising event for a wheelchair accessible swing for their local playground. His parents have been supporting this playground for a few years now, raising a total $5,000 in previous movie screening fundraisers.
Some supporters of the Legion of Good Will took into consideration this initiative. One created a Fundraise page through Facebook. The other one organized a party where the gifts are donations for our mission and created a Crowdrise page as an alternative for those that cannot join her at the party.
Start a Challenge
Back in 2014, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA) raised over $115 million towards research for Lou Gehrig’s disease in only two months. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral: everyone from your next door neighbor to Bill Gates was posting videos of themselves pouring buckets of ice over their heads in support of the cause.
It was three young men with ALS that started the challenge. They posted a video of themselves getting drenched by buckets of ice, and it through the power of social media, the word spread from there.
Whether it’s online or in real life, come up with a challenge that is related to the cause you are supporting. Once you come up with a rubric for how the challenge should go, do the challenge yourself, and ask others to do the same. Once they have completed your challenge, ask them to ask others to do so as well. Make use of social media for this one – it is the easiest (and most inexpensive) way to spread the word about your cause!
Organize a Sporting Event
Many towns and cities have local recreational sports teams for people to join to get their minds of regular work and school stress, to make friends, to have fun, and to stay healthy. Organize a day-long tournament for the sport of your choice, be it football, basketball, or even party games. Ask each team to pick a cause of their choice, and the winning team earns prize money to donate to this cause. You can also ask local and larger business if they might be willing to sponsor your event in exchange for exposure for their brand, product, or service.
Last May, a bowling tournament raised $112,000 in support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentorship programs in Mid-Maine. Not only did almost 200 teams come out to bowl that week, but kids and their older mentors were also able to strengthen their relationships by spending time together working towards a common goal.
Put on a Show
Do you know anyone that loves to perform? Round up your community’s most talented (and those hiding in the shadows) to put on a performance in support of your cause. Not only will you bring attention to your cause, but you will also shine a spotlight on local talent.
Bob Bouchard of Ottawa, Canada has a long history supporting his town’s seniors’ home throughout of the ordinary fundraisers. When a colleague of his suggested that they put on a play but realized the rights to a play were too expensive, Bouchard decided that they create something of their own. This past June, Bouchard's most recent show raised $1,200 for Renfrew and Area Seniors' Home Support.
Regardless of what you decide to do, remember that fundraisers are supposed to bring people together in support of a cause they are passionate about. Keep your donors and supporters update about where the donations are going and how they are being used. Seeing positive end results will make people want to participate in a fundraiser again, or perhaps even organize one of their own.
About the author:
Denise Fabella is a recent graduate from New York University with a Bachelor of Science in Media, Culture and Communication. She interned and is a current volunteer of the Legion of Good Will. An aspiring writer, Denise has published articles for CNN Philippines, Rappler, Inc. and Town & Country Philippines. When she isn't typing away on her computer, she's either reading fiction novel after fiction novel or taking film photographs around New York. You can find her on social media @denisenfabella.