Fundraising Ideas on a Shoe String Budget

March 29, 2018 by Gordon Advisors

Trying to start a fundraiser campaign can be stressful, especially if you don’t have a lot of money to invest in your efforts. If you have a church or a group that loves to bake, you might be able to pull off a bake sale or two.

Bake sales actually seem to be more successful in the winter. When it’s scorching hot out, most people don’t want the sweet heaviness of a molten lava chocolate cake. There’s also the bathing suit bodies to keep in mind. So arrange that bake sale, starting in the fall through the colder months. Starting in about October, anybody that can bake pumpkin spice anything can make you some money.

In the spring and summer, fundraising takes on a whole new persona. With schools out for summer break, people are rushing off for vacations, weekends at the lake, camping and glamping, and are generally on the go. Things they normally take care of themselves fall to the wayside. That’s where you target your fundraising efforts.

Car washes are a great warm weather fundraising opportunity. The best time to start them is when the yellow film of pollen coats everything. Gather up some kids that want to work on their base tans, some old towels from a local thrift store, and car wash supplies like buckets, hoses, soaps and glass cleaners. Add a few signs on poster board to advertise what and why, and you’re in business. You can either set a price for a car wash or accept any donation amount in exchange for the car wash service.

Another great way to provide a service for a donation is mowing lawns. The same basic rules apply. Make poster boards advertising what and why, head door to door and offer to mow lawns in exchange for a donation. (This can also work in the winter, with snow blowing or shoveling.) The strong selling point here is that you are taking the heat so they don’t have to. That holds tremendous appeal for a lot of people.

Mother’s day out is another great way to raise funds. This is a good idea for both summer and winter, especially when Christmas shopping is at it’s busiest. Set aside a full eight-hour day, preferably at a location such as a church or community center, and offer to babysit and entertain the toddlers for the amount of time needed by mom. In exchange, solicit donations to your cause. This can be an hourly charge, a set rate, or an open donation type format. Don’t forget your signs that tell what and why.

Yard sales are a great way to raise funds also. This can be a two-pronged approach. First, solicit items for the yard sale itself. Once you have enough items, schedule your yard sale and gather the cash! As always, signage telling what and why will help to bring in more money. People will feel better about buying that little nick-knack they have no use for it they feel it is doing a good deed.

There are hundreds of ways to start fundraising, if you use your imagination. That and a little hard work will have you meeting your fundraising goals in no time!