Easy Fundraisers
Everybody wants easy fundraisers. The problem is that you
also want good results. So, how do you get the best results
from an easy fundraiser?
Three things to consider in evaluating easy fundraisers:
- Effort Involved
- Resources Needed
- Duration of Fundraiser
EFFORT INVOLVED
An easy fundraiser shouldn't take a lot of effort, but let's be
honest. It is going to take SOME effort.
The level of effort is often directly proportional to the size
of your group's monetary goal, but not always. That's why you
are considering an easy fundraiser in the first place - you're
looking for less effort, not more.
RESOURCES NEEDED
Resources are always a problem in small group fundraising. You
can never have too many volunteers and you usually never have
enough.
For an easy fundraiser, you want programs that don't require an
excessive time commitment from a large number of people.
You want either a single weekend-only activity or a program
that takes only a small amount of time each week. It's easier
to get people to help with something that doesn't require more
than a two-hour commitment from them.
Conserve your resources with an easy fundraiser and you'll have
more folks to draw on later when you really need help.
DURATION OF FUNDRAISER
Duration is important. An easy fundraiser that lasts more than
a single weekend should not require a lot of attention to keep
it productive.
Those that only last a single day or weekend shouldn't require
a tremendous amount of prep time.
So, which easy fundraisers only take a little effort, few resources,
and have the right duration?
Three simple easy fundraisers:
- Printer cartridge recycling program
- Onsite or Online Yard Sale
- Seasonal Specialty Item Sale
Recycling Program
A recycling program for collecting used printer cartridges costs
nothing to put together. All collection boxes and shipping needs
are covered by the supplier. We recommend FundingFactory.
Your effort involves finding businesses to participate in the
program, leaving pre-labeled boxes with a site representative,
and providing directions on calling UPS to pick up a full box.
A used cartridge is worth between $1 and $20, depending on the
popularity of the printer and the cost of a new cartridge. Many
businesses encourage recycling efforts. For good prospects,
check with the leasing manager of large office buildings that
house multiple companies.
Another good location is an electronics store or office supply
retailer. Customers often bring in their old cartridge when
shopping for a replacement. You are doing the retailer a
service by providing them with an environmentally safe way to
dispose of these leftovers.
A good recycling program will cover a couple of dozen sites and
not require much work after the initial placement. Over time,
working this many sites can produce a considerable amount of
funds for your group.
One good source for a complete turnkey cartridge recycling setup
(at no cost to your group) is the Funding Factory. They recycle
inkjet cartridges, laser cartridges, and old cell phones.
Click here to check out the
FundingFactory.
Mega Yard Sale
A big yard sale is another easy fundraiser to pull off. It's
short in duration, usually just a Saturday sale with some prep
time the night before.
Choose a nice high-visibility location like a school or church
parking lot. Advertise in the local paper and put up signs for the
cagey veterans who troll around on Saturday mornings looking for
bargains.
Group your items together by category - kids clothes, tools,
toys, books, pictures, music, etc. Place general price signs
around items instead of pricing everything individually.
For example, "$5-$10 Tools" or "Books: $1-$3" are signs that allow
people to haggle and help you avoid putting price stickers on
hundreds of items.
Resources are needed most for helping to sell. Recruit outgoing
types who can be enthusiastic about these odds and ends. Make
it a fun time with some helium balloons for small children and
have coffee and doughnuts available for adults.
By grouping items together from multiple households, you create
a bigger draw as well as a bigger workforce.
If you attract enough shoppers along with enough donations, you
can raise as much as $500 per participating household.
Online Yard Sale
A variation on the yard sale fundraiser is to sell the items
online. The best place to sell large quantities of lower-priced
items is on eBay.
You'll get more for books, music, and consumer electronics that way.
Keep it in mind as a way to get better results on some items or
as an easier fundraiser to do for very small groups.
You'll need to spend some time creating the listings. Having
online pictures posted seems to help with higher-priced items.
All in all, it's an easy fundraiser that produces results.
Click here to check out
Fundraising on eBay.
Specialty Item Sale
The third type of easy fundraiser is a weekend specialty sale of
a seasonal item. Examples would be a Pumpkin Patch sale, a
Christmas Tree sale, a Spring Flower Bulb fiesta, and so on.
This involves an effort similar to having a large yard sale.
You'll need a high-traffic location and some advance publicity.
Your goal is to capture seasonal sales from the general public
as well as those from within your group.
Avoid stretching these sales over more than one weekend or
you'll run into resource issues. Make it quick and keep it
fun. Setup on a Friday, sell hard on Saturday, and wrap it
up by Sunday afternoon.
Make arrangements ahead of time with your supplier about how
to handle left over items. Source pumpkins from the local
Farmer's Market, Christmas trees from grower's associations,
and flower bulbs from national suppliers.
Be sure to price everything competitively and offer great
customer service. For Christmas trees, have able bodies
standing by to tie them down on vehicles.
For pumpkins, help place them in the trunk. The easier you
make it for customers, the more you'll net for your group.
Check out our supplier cross-reference section for sources of
specialty items for easy fundraisers.
Easy Fundraisers - Wrap-up
Putting together an easy fundraiser isn't hard. It does take
some effort and it does require resources, but nothing too difficult.
Give your group a helping hand by taking it easy.
Related Pages
Krispy Kreme - Simple and profitable fundraiser selling fresh doughnuts, gift certificates, and fund raising partnership cards that offer free doughnuts with every purchase.
Fundraising Events - Three profitable events for small groups or schools - Fundraiser events that are quick and easy that you can do in a weekend.
Event Ideas - Part 1 - Great tips on organizing fundraising events - Which event ideas are the most profitable.
Event Ideas - Part 2 - Easy event ideas for small groups - Funny Beauty Pageant, Mondo Yard Sale, and charity Golf Tournament.
Event Ideas - Part 3 - Events that are easy to do - Night At The Races fund-raising event - Bed Race cancer fundraiser event.
School Fundraisers - Three great fundraiser ideas based on simple products that produce excellent profits.
Cheerleading - Cheerleading fundraisers that are fun and profitable.
Band - Proven band fund-raising ideas for maximum profits.
Soccer - Soccer fundraisers for your youth sports team.
Location, Location, Location - A good fundraising location can generate big profits
Earth Friendly - Three environmentally friendly fundraisers - organic chocolate, printer cartridge recycling, and community trash cleanup.
Youth Group - Success tips for your youth group fundraiser - How to increase demand and get a stronger sales response in your fundraiser.
Put Fun In Your Fundraiser - 10 ways to put fun in your non-profit fundraiser - Keep it simple and keep it fun.
Car Wash - Proven car wash tips for maximum profits - How to produce big results - Quick and easy car wash ideas.
|
