New Ideas for Fundraising-10 Ways to Raise Money and Engage Your Community
By: Bethe Ferguson

Have your fundraising campaigns been generating more collective sighs than collections? You may need to mix up the program to spur more donations. While tried-and-true festivals and one-to-one sales will always be critical to fundraising, there are other ways to inspire the awe factor and bump up contributions. 

Below are 10 profit-packed ideas that will also help you connect with your school’s families and the community at large. Be sure to ask your committee members, families, and congregation for help. You will increase the number of personal connections, which can help turn a no into a yes, and they will feel more involved with the event.

Plus, increase sales and create excitement at any of your events with memorable concession foods. These tasty treats set the mood, remind parents of wonderful memories, and build a sense of community. Whether you are making your profits pop with flavored corn, or perking up participation with pre-packaged goodies, fun foods are the perfect pairing to most fundraising activities.

Make your sales sizzle with concession favorites, including popcorn, cotton candy, shaved ice, nachos, gourmet popcorn, hot dogs, and pretzels. Their low food costs help you give more money back to the school, and most average 70% to 80% profit margins.

1. Partner with a Local Business
Work with local restaurants or companies in your neighborhood to increase your audience outside your walls. For example, team up with a local pizza place to offer a frequent buyer program and meal deals. (You may want to start with a smaller, local business before approaching a chain. They sometimes can be more receptive to helping out a community member.)

Create the perfect night in and generate sales with pre-packaged cotton candy, nachos, or popcorn for dessert. You will receive a larger cut by providing the items yourself, and the pizza shop will stand apart from the competition that only offers the traditional two-liter of soda.

2. An All-Neighborhood Garage Sale
Everyone needs a good excuse to clean out the closets and garage. Host the event in your gym and advertise it in the paper. Either set up a concession stand, or offer popcorn for free, as they come in to create a more relaxed atmosphere.

3. Dress Down Day
Families can donate money to let their children wear jeans and plain shirts for a day. Or, get a larger donation by allowing dress down for a week. Award the class or grade with the most contributions with an extended free period or treats.

4. “Drive-In” Movie
Bring the family fun to your gym or auditorium. Create a weekly event, or a special night with Christmas classics. Invite families to bring their lawn chairs, blankets, or sleeping bags and snuggle in. Offer meal deals as part of the ticket price. It is dinner, a show, and a snack in one family-friendly night. You can also theme the food to your movie (for example, red and green candied popcorn for a Christmas film).

5. Photography/Art Exhibit
Find the inner artist. Host an exhibit with age-specific categories and charge an entrance fee. Work with the local newspaper and TV stations to profile the winners. Hang them in your hallways for purchase with profits going to the school.

6. Coffee Talk
Host a morning coffee break for parents. You can have one speaker or invite a group of local experts for a panel discussion. Suggested speakers include health professionals to address concerns (especially relevant during flu season); local sports stars to speak about how to encourage a healthy lifestyle; or librarians/historical preservation society members to speak about the history of your area. Charge a small entrance fee, offer the coffee for free, and sell the treats to go with it.

7. Night Out/Night In Raffle
Ask a local movie theater/video store, pizza place, and a restaurant for gift certificates. Package the gift certificates with movie munchies. Mom and Dad will get a night out and rest assured knowing their children are well-occupied with an age-appropriate movie. The raffle can stand alone or be added to an existing event.

8. Putting On the Hits
Invite the school and congregation to join. Create age-specific categories, charge a minimal entrance fee, and let them rock out to stardom. Work with your local paper and television stations to cover the event. The winner can get a chance to sing at an upcoming game, receive a cash prize, and/or put up a plaque with his/her name on it.

9. Game Night or Bowling Night
Rejoice in the American classics like Monopoly, Shoots and Ladders, UNO, and more. Challenge your families to dig out their oldies-but-goodies games and set up tables in your gym or auditorium.

You can also work with a local bowling alley to host an event and split the proceeds. Promote the tasty treats at their snack bar with fun names like Knockdown Nachos. Bowling alleys may ask you to go in on an off-league night.

10. Murder Mystery Night
Who dunnit? Solve the case and involve your staff. Families will love the chance to see teachers in a different role. Or, involve the crowd. A few well-placed plants in the audience will ensure the plot moves forward. You can buy scripts or challenge your staff and families to create their own. Serve dinner as part of the event, or blindfold your guests and have a mystery food tasting.

Bethe Ferguson is marketing communications coordinator for Gold Medal Products, www.gmpopcorn.com.