38
September 2014
10 bright ideas
to raise $ for your cause.
R
aising money for equipment, research, programs or events is vital for many charities and not-for-profits across the country. For many, this is their only
source of income in the absence of any grants or government funding. But raising money and negotiating sponsorships and partnerships has become increasingly difficult. Many groups are pounding the pavement, asking businesses to support their cause, either through cash or in-kind (product/service) support. This has put pressure on many businesses that are simply unable to support every great cause that makes contact with them. So we’ve put together our top 10, simple ways of raising money for your cause.
1
Fundraising Barbeque
Many hardware and furniture stores run fundraising barbeques over the weekends, which are their busiest days. They usually provide all of the equipment including the barbeque, gas bottle, tables, cloths, utensils etc. and you just need to bring your own food, drinks, sauces and money tin. You can approach your local shop or butcher to help with the cost of these to maximise the amount you make. All you need to do is write a letter on your charity or group’s letterhead advising that you would like to hold a barbeque and send it to your local Bunnings, Masters, Harvey Norman etc. Be prepared for a wait though, there is sometimes up to six or 12 months wait!
2
Run or walk
There are so many Fun Runs and running events now you’ll have trouble deciding which one to do. Pick your event – 2km, 5km, 10km, half marathon or marathon and then approach people to sponsor you to complete the challenge. Keep an eye out for events in your area or check out www.runningcalendar.com.au for a full list of running events across Australia. There are some great websites such as www. everydayhero.com and www.gofundraise.com.au that do all the hard work for you, you just need to create your profile page and include details of what event you are doing and your fundraising target. Don’t forget to share that link through Facebook, email and anything else you can think of so your family, friends and workmates know how to sponsor you.
3
Cause of the month
You shop locally all the time, right? Get your bread and milk fro the local store? Buy your coffee mostly from the same place each day? Why not ask them to nominate your cause for a month and help you raise some money? It’s very simple. Work with the store to decide what they will donate e.g. 20 cents from every coffee or 50 cents for every muffin sold during that month. You’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up for things we all buy daily like coffee and snacks. Whip up a sign to display at their counter if you can with a donations tin. This will raise awareness of your cause, give the business a plug for their support and often people are happy to pop any loose change in a donation tin, while they wait.
4
Put your skills to good use
Is there something you are really good at, like painting, craft, cooking, knitting, card making? Use your skill to help your cause by painting some canvases, cooking up a storm, getting crafty, knitting some beanies or making some cards and take them to your local market to sell. If you can’t make something you think will sell, why not ask a friend who is great at something to help you out? Chances are they will love to help and it could be great fun hanging out at the markets with them.