Five Great Fundraising Ideas for Your Organization

I'd like to have a nickel for every time that I've come back into my office, only to find that some co-worker has left me a fundraiser order blank on my desk, just in case I cared to help his/her child's marching band raise money for their spring tour. These colorful printed brochures typically show a variety of items to choose from, including chocolates, caramels, cookies in tins, wrapping paper, and candles...all very nice articles, but generally overpriced, and certainly nothing I was actually looking to buy that particular day. I asked a parent one time if I could just donate the three-dollar profit the organization was planning to make from my purchase, and then not actually order anything. I got the look, so I placed an order anyway. But this is an example of what fundraising is like today, and how unwelcome it can be in the workplace.

Now, I'm not so much of a Scrooge that I begrudge school and civic organizations the opportunity to raise cash for special projects. I know that the great majority of the time, the students or members of the organization will benefit from the fundraiser in a good way, and that my contribution will not have been given for naught. I just don't like the idea of buying a twenty dollar product (that I didn't need in the first place) where the profit going to the organization is less than three dollars.

There are, however some great fundraiser ideas that organizations can use where it doesn't seem as if the members are taking advantage of their friends, neighbors, and relatives. Try one of these tried-and-true fundraising methods, and see if they don't generate a more positive attitude about your civic or school club.

Fundraiser Idea #1: Beautiful Baby Contest.