Fundraising / Charity Ideas Blog

Boston Massachusetts is outlawing school bake sale fundraising as of Aug 1 2012.  It’s a done deal, however bake sales are the tent pole of school fundraising and the ripple effect of this will be huge.  The ban is supporting their fight against childhood obesity. It also seems to be deeper than this because the ban is against all “competitive” foods. These “competitive” foods are sold during the school day by the students on school property. Is this the best way to fight childhood obesity or is this just another hurdle for school fundraising?

No offence but if the school board was REALLY concerned about the fight against childhood obesity wouldn’t they start with the school cafeteria? I mean, have you seen some of that stuff? However that gets into layers of political complexity and is a lot more than some people want to get into.

Middleboro School Committeeman Brian Giovanoni, whose board will discuss the mandatory meal makeover Thursday night, said, “My concern is we’re regulating what people can eat, and I have a problem with that. I respect the state for what they’re trying to do, but I think they’ve gone off the deep end. 

The Departments of Public Health and Education contend clearing tables of even whole milk and white bread is necessary to combat an obesity epidemic affecting a third of the state’s 1.5 million students. But parents argue crudites won’t cut it when the bills come due on athletic equipment and band trips.

If the Public Health and Education departments recognize this as an actionable item why are they starting with bake sale fundraisers? Hmmmmmmm?

Check out yahoo’s video on banning bake sale fundraising

I applaud Massachusetts for taking action on the childhood obesity issue, but this solution seems iffy at best.

What do you guys think? Is this campaign what it says it is? Is it going to make school fundraising even more difficult? Drop a comment and let us know.

twitter @justfundraising

 The Piano Guys , a group of classic players who play and arrange songs that inspire people,  recently performed a concert fundraiser for Oakridge school , in Utah. They raised over $4, 731.00 for student supplies and equipment. The Piano Guys were also willing to lower their normal fee as a contribution to the school. The two man team can play the piano in different positions, including playing the piano lying on a piano bench upside down.

Ok, so granted we may not be as talented as they are musically but we gotta admit this is a great fundraiser event idea!

twitter @justfundraising

Monthly Observances

Arthritis Awareness Month
Hepatitus Awareness Month
Healthy Vision Month
Lupus Awareness Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month

 Weekly Observances

May 6 – 12   Childrens’ Mental Healthy Awareness Week
May 7 – 11   Air Quality Awareness Week
May 7 – 13   National Stuttering Awareness Week
May 13 – 19   National Alcohol and Other Birth Defects Awareness Week
May 13 – 19   National Women’s Health Week
May 14 -18   National Neuropathy Awareness Week

Daily Observances
May 14   National Women’s Check Up Day
May 18   HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
May 19   Hepatitus Testing Day
May 20   World Autoimmune Arthritis Day
May 25   Heat Safety Awareness Day
May 30   National Senior Health and Fitness Day
May 31   World No Tobacco Day

If you are looking to contibute to these or other issues in May contact us for fundraising help

Twitter @justfundraising

Over the years we’ve covered a lot of fundraising and charity events that have had a musical side to them. It’s part of my passion and a great way for Charities to entertain and generate income for their causes. We’ve been very supportive of these activities and it’s through this effort we were contacted to give a little shout out to another worthy event.

There’s another great event coming up in May that combines live music and a great cause.

I’ll let Jennifer from the  Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation take it from here:

On Saturday, May 12th, 2012,in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ed Boulter, photographer and philanthropist is hosting the inaugural Rock and Roll Art Show in support of the Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation. Funds raised ( all profits) will go towards building a school in Africa. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire hope through philanthropy, empower the disengaged while being a conduit for accountability. Their vision is to quicken academic excellence, infuse depth of character, promote health and vitality, and inspire generosity in our youth. They have made a commitment to build 131 schools for marginalized children in 7 under resourced countries through Free the Children’s adopt a village Development Program. This incredible effort will provide access to education, clean water, health, sanitation, and alternative income programming while creating a sustainable existence. Feel free to go to Pinball’s website and click on “who we support” for more info.

Two short years ago, Ed and his wife Lisa experienced a catastrophic loss after their son Thackery passed away at the tender age of three weeks old. Throughout this unfortunate ordeal, Ed and Lisa have created a bond that will never be broken. Their love of children, all children, is strong and with this strength they have made a commitment to give back to those less fortunate. Their goal at the Rock and Roll Art Show is to raise $8,500 to build a school in their son Thackery’s name. This school will carry on and educate children for many years to come.

Jennifer Branco

Executive Director
Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation

Sounds like a great cause to support! The events originator, Ed Boulter fleshes out the details of the event:

In order to help reach our goal we are humbly asking that you join us to support this evening of charity, art and the passion we have in common – music. Your presence will help bring awareness to the event and in the end help us reach our goal.  On May 12th let’s celebrate Life, Art and Rock and Roll at The Resolutes Club, 5461 Inglis Street Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Some items and activities taking place during the event will be pictures of paintings, (music related), pictures of musical instruments, a ”silent Auction”, a donation jar, and “live” painting to be auctioned off when finished. Also, there will be art for sale, all prints will be on canvas. Tax receipts will be available for any donations made of more than $20.00.

The Rock and Roll Art Show will have great east coast live music, featuring E.B. Anderson & The Resolutes, Donni Donohue, Carson Downey, and John Campbelljohn.  For questions on the inaugral Rock and Roll Art Show contact Ed Boutler at his website.

Here’s a taste of some of the music you’ll get at The Rock and Roll Art Show:

twitter @justfundraising

This weekend marks the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  On April 14, 1912 the Titanic sank with massive loss of life. Every one knows the story of the great lady and the iceberg, it has captivated us ever since.  Many people attending thecommemorative events this year will dress in period costume to relive the times while observing the memory of Titanic.  This weekend people, all over the globe are observing the event and a few fundraising events are being tied in with it:

A world record balloon drop in Australia will be the first commemerativec charitable event.

Elegance and period costume are part of The Titanic Ball hosted in Belfast.

Charitable Lifeboat Race that will contribute food  for a local infant wellfare association.

The Titanic Diner and Ball will be hosted this weekend by The Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.

There will be a Titanic Diner and Dance in Toronto.

Live Titanic Wireless Reenactment in Newfoundland

Halifax, NS has several diners with their Titanic Diner on April 15 and the Heritage Diner  July 28

Titanic Reemberance Ceremony and Diner in Ireland

Ships sailing from the UK and New York will meet mid Atlantic at Titanic’s final resting place for the Titanic Memorial Cruise

There will be many more Titanic commemorative events rolling out through the year, however it’s this weekends events that will be the most poignant. Check local listings for events in your area. If you would like to let the readers know of any appropriate charitable Titanic events being put on, drop a comment to let them know.

twitter @justfundraising

You have more resources than you think in your congregation to put on a successful church fund raiser. This year when your annual church fund raising happens you will be able to explore new streams of income.

Your Congregation – There is a wealth of experience and talent in your congregation. Host meeting and ask for their fundraising ideas. Depending on the excitement for ideas the feedback will steer you towards your activity. You may end up holding talent events for your volunteering musicians, comics and artists or home crafts like baking or knitting.

Your Kitchen – Your parish can host fund raising events with the church kitchen and volunteers. Put on monthly suppers or breakfasts after masses. Your main audience will be in attendance and hungry after Sunday mass. Put on theme suppers during the year or open the kitchen for lunch time business for local traffic.

Your Parking Lot – Parking is at a premium for most cities, if your church is downtown or by popular bus routes. Sell parking spots to local businesses or put up flyers to advertise in local stores. Monthly parking sales can add to your church coffers.

Your Office Space – Does your church have additional office space for lease. Some companies may just need an extra room or a safe storage place. Empty spaces and rooms in your church can be used for utilized for rental or outside revenue streams.

Your Advertising - Your church probably has advertising spots that advertisers could use. Newsletters, roadside signs, pamphlets etc. Appropriate businesses could be signed up for advertising sponsorship to your churches newsletters or events. This would be great advertising and PR for them as well as supplemental income for you.

These are our ideas for maximizing your income with your existing resources. What church fundraising ideas have worked for you? Drop a comment and share with others your ideas.

Be sure to check out our post on mission trip fundraising for more church fundraising tips.

twitter @justfundraising

Easter is a great holiday that lets kids have fun. Here are a few tips to raise funds and keep the kids entertained:

Egg Hunt – Everybody’s favourite Easter fundraising idea! It’s fun for the kids and the adults. Eater Egg Hunts are held in just about every State and Province in North America. When designing an Easter Egg Fundraising charge for admission and have other events like music and entertainment for different age groups.

Design An Egg – Supply stencils to the kids or let them come up with their own designs. Hand out prized to different age groups and display the winning eggs in the school foyer. If the idea is used for a charity organization charge $1 for an entry fee.

Egg Guess – Fill a jar full of Easter Eggs, the person who gets the closest number, gets the jar.

Bunny Hop – Easter themed activities can be for all ages. Middle and High School dances can have Easter themes. Hire a local DJ and a student to supply the music ( See our post on Hosting Successful High School Dances Fundraisers ).

Easter Basket Raffles and Bake Sales – You can prepare several baskets in advance with themed items like baked goods, teas, chocolates and sell tickets on the basket. This item is also a great idea for silent auctions.

Share with us what has worked well for your schools or charity organizations Easter Fundraiser?

Twitter @justfundraising

Monthly Observances

National Stress Awareness Month

National Volunteer Month

Alcohol Awareness Month

National Autism Awareness Month

National Oral Health Month

IBS Awareness Month

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Weekly Observances

April 2 -8 National Public Health Week

April 16 -22 Parkinson’s Awareness Week

April 21 – 28 National Infant Immunization Week

April 22 – 28 National Playground Safety Week

April 23 – 29  National Allergy Week 

Daily Observances

April - 7  World Health Day

April – 11 World Parkinson’s Day

April – 17 World Hemophilia  Day

April 24 World Meningitis Day

Contact us if you would like fundraising for any of these observances.

twitter @justfundraising

 Fundraising ideas for free means that you will have to rely  on your creativity to design an event and the generosity of your donors to make it a success. Here are a few ideas that you can use to generate a few dollars for your cause.

Charity Sports Game – Hold a special game in your area and invite local TV and Radio celebrities to show up and play on a team.

Personal Shopper – Offer to shop for professionals. Many people are too busy to go shopping or they need help with solid ideas for gifts. By offering to go shopping for them you take care of their to do list.

Squidoo Charity -  If you have time you can build interesting web pages that charities can use to earn money through squidoo.  However you do have to be a registered non-profit in the U.S. to sign up to be a Squidoo Charity .  Ask your network to donate some time to help with the writing. 

Art – Have your local artists create projects for you that you can leverage for money. You can auction pieces off , sell them or trade them for other items that your charity can use. Remember the guy who traded the paperclip and eventually worked his way into a house! You may not want to take it to this extreme but it’s the same concept.

Eating – Put on an eating contest. Yup you don’t see this one too much so it would be unique. Get your local supermarket to donate some food or  to showcase it’s product. Get sponsorship from family friends or local businesses. Make it an event and get teams to see how many hot dogs can be eaten in 5 minutes.

Yardwork – Offer your services for lawnmowing, raking, trimming potting etc. It gets you out doors, keeps you active and can generate money for charities.

Dogwalking – Put up flyers in coffee shops and shopping centres around town. Offer to walk dogs in the park on the weekends. You can collect the dogs early in the morning before school or work. Extra exercise for you and the pets plus it’s one less thing someone else has to do, thus worth a couple of bucks!

Flea Markets – Great for teenagers. Your parents will love you for cleaning up your room, you get to sell off old clothing, books, cd’s, DVD’s and games.

Check out our similar posts like fundraising ideas for kids , School Dance Fundraisers ,Facebook Layouts for Charity, Wacky Fundraising Ideas

Here are just a few ideas of free fundraising ideas or events that wont cost much to put on.  Now you tell us what’s worked for you and what charity would you donate the money to?

twitter @justfundraising 

I know I’ve never seen anybody more excited about a car wash fundraiser in my life!

  So lets talk about fundraising ideas for kids. Ideas that will help  raise money for their causes PLUS activities they will participate in. Keep in mind picking the appropriate activity for age group and talent. Try and pick something both you and the child can get excited about

1. Car Wash
2. Dog Walking
3. Homework Tutor
4. Collect Empty Bottles and Cans
5. Cut Grass
6. Shovel Snow  
7. BBQ at a local mall
8. Carry and unpack Groceries
9. Babysit
10. Stuff envelopes
11. Piano Teacher
12. Guitar Teacher
13. Rake Leaves
14. Take out the Trash
15. Make Photocopies
16. Spend time with the Elderly
17. Make Fundraiser Posters and Flyers
18. Fold Laundry
19. Clean out their old clothes
20. Teach a kid to ride a Bike
21. Create a Magic Show
22. Software Installer
23. Babysitter
24. Prepare Slow Cooker Meals
25. Accompany Adults Door to Door Fundraising

Hopefully there are a few items on the list that you and your kids to can agree on to help in your fundraising efforts. If you have more ideas that you want to add to the list drop a comment and share with our other readers.

twitter @justfundraising