Free Fundraisers
| Summary: Article describes three free fundraisers that produce fast results. Covers fundraising
ideas like providing a yard cleanup service,
doing a community cleanup event , or a car wash fundraiser. |
Free Fundraisers with Fast Results!
When your youth group needs to raise money quickly, you need a fast free
fundraiser that you can rely on to generate the necessary revenue.
The amount you make on these free fundraisers will depend in part on how much
time you have before-hand to prepare, but will also depend on how well you
execute your plan.
These time tested favorites are great quick projects to raise some fast cash:
- Car Wash
- Yard Cleanup
- Community Cleanup
Car Wash Fundraiser
Car washes have proven to be great fundraisers in virtually every community.
All you need are willing volunteers, a high-traffic location with good
visibility, and some attention getting signs.
You can put a car wash fundraiser together on short notice. Here’s what you need
to do:
- Line up a location with good main road frontage
- Ensure it has water access
- Assemble supplies list – hoses, buckets, wash towels, dry towels,
squeegees
- Assign each volunteer an item from the supplies list
- Make 8-10 poster board signs in high-contrast colors
- Arrange your volunteers in 2-hour shifts
- Wash cars for six hours (Saturday preferred)
- Have dual lines so you can wash two at once
Your car wash fundraiser’s success will of course depend on the weather. If
you can wash 12 cars an hour (one every 10 minutes in each line), you can easily
raise in excess of $500 in one day.
Remember to put together a quick flyer that includes the reason why you’re
raising funds and clearly states the price. You can even offer some extra
services such as Armor-All tire treatment for an additional fee.
Alternatively, you can advertise a free car wash and just ask for donations for
your cause. Often, this can raise more cash than stating a specific price,
because people will see a group of volunteers working hard and having a good
time, and may part with their money more easily.
Keeping safety in mind, be sure to get volunteers to hold and wave signs toward
passing traffic, not just volunteers to wash cars. If you have time, advertise
your car wash event in the local newspaper, or by posting signs a day or two in
advance.
Yard Cleanup
A yard cleanup fundraiser is extremely fast and easy to put together. Simply
create a set of instructions for your group detailing what to offer, what to
say, and how much to charge.
Like most fundraisers, the target market is family, friends, and neighbors.
Depending on the age of your participants, your offerings can range from simple
lawn care all the way up to mulching flower beds or pruning tree limbs. In many
climates, autumn is a great time to do this fundraiser, because leaf clearing is
always a needed service during those months.
Create a flyer describing your fundraiser and clearly list your prices for the
various cleanup options. Assign a fundraising quota to each participant.
Offer some individual and group performance bonuses. There’s nothing like a team
pizza party or passes to amusement attractions to motivate a youth sports group. Community Cleanup
Another free fundraiser, a community cleanup - also known as a trash bag fundraiser, performs a
valuable community service while also providing a significant revenue
opportunity. Organizing a community cleanup project is a way to raise funds and
send a positive message about your group at the same time.
This type of one day or weekend fundraising event is very similar to the
Athlet-A-Thon or Fun-A-Thon concept. Here your group's participants solicit
pledges from the usual suspects - family, friends, and neighbors. Have local
businesses donate trash bags and recruit parents and relatives with trucks to
haul what you collect.
Pledges are tied to a specific attainment goal such as the number of pounds of
trash collected or the number of road miles cleaned of debris. You'll need to
create a one-page overview of your cleanup program and a pledge signup sheet.
It works best if your overview specifies a suggested range for donations, say
anywhere from a penny to a dime a pound for a large project. An amazing amount
of garbage can be collected from a local stream or illegal dumping area, so it's
not a bad idea to also put a maximum limit on a pledge amount of $20.
Have local businesses donate trash bags and recruit parents and relatives
with trucks to haul what you collect.
Do the math and you'll be surprised at how much money you can generate. Assuming
50 participants, each of whom has five pledges of a penny a pound, if you
collect a ton of garbage, your group will raise $100 per participant or $5,000.
That's not bad money for a fast fundraiser! You’d be surprised at how easy it
is to collect a ton of garbage.
Each of these free fundraisers is fast, easy to put together, and a reliable revenue
generator for your group. As with any event, an adult should be in attendance
for safety purposes.
Related Pages
Custom Silicone Bracelets - Selling fundraiser bracelets is a great way to support your cause - Custom silicone bracelets are an attractive way to raise funds and show you care.
Fundraiser Raffle Ideas - Tips on putting together fundraising raffles - Fundraiser raffle ideas for any size group - Prize selection and ticket price tips.
Seasonal Fundraisers - Ten ideas for
high-demand seasonal products to sell for your next group fundraiser - Raise
more funds by selling what people already want to buy.
Krispy Kreme - Doughnuts,
gift certificates and partnership cards.
Candy - Sales tips for doubling
or tripling your candy programs revenue and profits.
Candle - Programs offering
candles can help your group or team raise funds easily.
Cookie Dough - Cookie
dough program overview plus companies and suppliers.
Pizza - Easy moneymaker in three
different formats makes a good school fundraiser.
Earth Friendly -
Organic chocolate, printer cartridge recycling, and community trash cleanup.
Ideas for Fundraising - Activities, events,
programs, projects, and more.
Incentive Programs -
Boost your school fundraisers results with the right incentives and rewards.
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