FUNDRAISING IDEAS 365 // 24 // 7

You can fundraise all year long!  No matter when you feel inspired, you can start a fundraiser to help homeless youth.  If you have an idea for a campaign not listed below, drop us a note at nj.diy@covenanthouse.org.

Winter Spring Summer Fall All Year

 

WINTER

  • Set up a gift wrapping station at a holiday boutique or in a retail store near you and charge per item!
  • Plan an Ugly Sweater Party or Tacky Ties & Turtlenecks Day at work - everyone who participates will make a donation to your groups’ page.  And those who opt-out pay double!
  • Organize a (re)gift auction. Everyone is responsible for bringing a wrapped item (of a certain value) from their home or office that they received as a gift and do not want.  Host an auction and donate all of the money raised.
  • You’ve heard of Christmas in July; now try July in Christmas. Turn your holiday party into a beach party!  Include raffles and games and other ways to party for a purpose.
  • See ya later peppermint mocha latte. Give up your treat drink for a winter month and donate the money you save to your campaign.  Encourage others to join you by pledging their latte money on your page too.

SPRING

  • Gather gently used sports equipment and host a (re)sale at a school or in a public space.
  • Play 100 holes of golf in one day! Collect pledges for the challenge.
  • Plan a fun-filled family friendly party.  Sell tickets and create revenue-generating activities to take place at the party, like face painting or an art project.  
  • Batter up! Host a Home Run derby in a local park and ask players and spectators to make a gift to your fundraising page.  
  • Host a [fill in the blank] show and charge admission fees through your personal fundraising page  
  • ‘Best in Show’ in your own backyard.  Invite your neighbors to show off their pet grooming skills or their dogs’ best tricks.   Cars, cars, cars.  Invite your neighbors to show off their vintage rides or crazy sound systems.

SUMMER

  • Coordinate a Downtown Stroll that includes several stores in a shopping center or centrally located area.  Ask the store owners to donate a portion of sales to your campaign and offer a raffle prize for each store to increase foot traffic.
  • Plan a sports tournament (softball, 3 on 3 basketball, beach volleyball) on a local field or a Board game tournament at a local bar or coffee shop
  • Give up your professional manis and pedis for the summer and donate the money you save to your campaign.  Encourage others to join you by pledging on your page.
  • Create your own farm stand.  Gather (or grow your own!)  local produce and flowers and sell them to raise money for your campaign.
  • Establish a monthly office theme day for the summer. Ideas include: dress UP instead of down, school spirit, favorite sports team, crazy hats, rockstars and bed & breakfast (free breakfast for those wearing pajamas).  Suggest a donation amount to participate and a larger amount to opt-out!

FALL

  • Plan a community chili cook-off with “admission fee” to your fundraising page. Gather friends and family on a football Sunday and battle it out for the best chili and cornbread recipes.  
  • Create a haunted house at your home, school or community center and charge for tours.
  • Put together a Pumpkin Chuckin' and Gourd Tossin' contest at a local farm or on a open field.  Sell concessions and donate entry fees and proceeds from food/beverage sales.  
  • Rake leaves!  Offer to rake your neighbors’ yards and ask for donations in exchange.
  • Create a family Thanks-GIVING campaign.  Ask your network to share what they are thankful for when they make a contribution to your family’s fundraising page.  

ALL YEAR

  • Celebrate an occasion with us! Whether it be milestone anniversary, your wedding, or your kids’ birthday, add a purpose to your party.  Click here to Create Your Own celebration page.
  • Be a grocery store bagger for a day. Offer to volunteer as a bagger at a local grocery store and work for tips that are actually donations.
  • Invite your friends and local businesses to create a themed gift basket (based on his or her personal interests or chosen from a list) and then host a fisherman style auction.
  • Host a live band or video karaoke party. Donate $5 for each song you'd like to sing.  Donate $10 to nominate someone else to sing.  Donate $20 to get out of your nomination!
  • Ask a local bar to donate space for a cocktail mixology class or find a local coffee shop to teach a latte art class.  Charge for admission to the class.
  • Plan a multicultural activity with friends or coworkers.  Introduce new food, music, and clothing to each other and collect donations from all participants.  

Feeling inspired? Create your campaign.