Sure, bake sales are great, but if cakes and brownies aren’t your thing, here’s a list of innovative ideas to pump some funds into your kids’ classrooms (or your own charity initiatives).
1) 50/50 Draw:
What better way to get people excited to help out the kids than by offering to share the wealth? It’s easy to set up, and easy to run. Simply sell raffle tickets for $1-$5 per ticket; when a winner is selected, that person gets half of the total dollar amount collected, and the school keeps the other half.
2) Iron-On Name Labels:
Help your kids hang on to their belongings and raise funds for the school at the same time. This one works especially well at schools where uniforms are required. Namelabels.com provides sew-on or iron-on name labels, and if you’re part of their easy-to-join affiliate program each and every sale will raise money for your fundraising program. Visit their website to find out more about their affiliate program.
3) Art Shows:
You’d be surprised how successful these can be (especially when you invite the grandparents). Have kids in the school submit their art and hold an evening gallery at the school. You can even invite local artist/one-of-a-kind craftspeople to display their wares and work out a small percentage on any sales.
4) Gymnasium or Rummage Sale:
Have students bring in items their families no longer use and set up a rummage sale for the community. Pretty easy, and quite effective for a quick profit turnaround.
5) Dog wash:
Car washes work well, but dog washes are so much more fun. Spread the news to family and friends and open up the playground on a Sunday for a day of kids, dogs, snacks, drinks, all raising money for your school.
6) Bingo Nights:
A fun night the whole family can enjoy. This tried and true method always attracts a crowd. Work with local shops and organizations to donate prizes and gifts for the winnings, so all the money raised goes straight into the fundraising pot.
7) Community Book Wagon:
Everyone has used books lying around the house. Have students bring in as many as they like and sell them to the community for a few bucks apiece with a mobile book drive. Having kids go door-to-door with some good reads for just a dollar or two will get a warm response. You can even offer a prize for the student who sells the most.
Have other great fundraising ideas that have worked for you or your school? Let us know, comment below.
