Fundraising / Charity Ideas Blog

Is it me or is the guy in blue sticking his fingers in the pink girls eye? Everybody else is having a good time though…

We’ve been spending some time over the last couple of posts looking at school fundraising ideas. A lot of our clients are schools so we want to help them out. This year the funding has been tough, so we’re throwing some extra ideas out there to help.

A great way to have fun, keep active and draw huge crowds is with a school dance fundraiser. You have a built in audience that is going to attend plus they will get hungry and thirsty as the night goes on. You can charge for a ticket to get in, plus some juice and snacks. It’s all fair since the money generated is going back into school services the students will be using anyway.

Schools can also use a dance fundraiser as an educational experience as well. Zebulon Middle School recently put on their second annual dance a thon and the students had a blast. Everyone got to participate and while gearing up for the event teachers got to show the kids different styles of music and dance.

Eighth-grader Simeon Harris helped the art teachers prepare for last year’s dance-a-thon by helping to set up the gym. Over a two-year time span, he’s learned more about different types of dances. This year, he and a fellow student have researched music and dance of the 1980s.

“There were different types (of music) then,” Harris said. “Rock, R&B, and rap,” for example.

Harris helped pick out music for this year’s event, focusing on “music everyone can enjoy.” He said the best part of getting ready for this year’s dance is “I get to pick my own selection of music.”

Vereen likes that students are learning not only how to support their school and a supporting organization, but that they are finding out about the history of American music.

 School dance fundraisers are a very fun and inclusive way to raise money. It’s important like any other fundraiser to keep the kids excited about why they should take part and motivated to help sell tickets. Just ask dance teacher Letisa Vereen:

 As an extra incentive, Vereen told students about the $50 gift card the arts department would give the student who brought in the most money.

Tracy Hicks, campaign assistant for the United Arts Council of Wake County, said fundraisers like the ZMS dance-a-thon, can make a significant difference. Her organization awarded art-related grants to 138 Wake County schools last year. “We reached 135,000 students,” Hicks said.

So with numbers like that they’re popular with the students, popular with teachers and with combining them with food fundraisers popular with us fundraisers.

So put your dancing shoes on and get out on that dance floor!

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 Nothing says fundraising more than the ring on your doorbell.  Get ready because the kids are there to sell you something for a good cause!

These days it’s very important that precautions are taken to make sure that everybody is safe. It is tough to make any clear cut laws because most times they are based soley on the age of a child. I tend to think that it’s not the age of a child but the ability and awareness of the student that makes a difference.  A balanced decision on door to door fundraising has to be reached when large numbers of students are involved.

I recently came across this fundraising article about new bylaws that were passed in the US concerning door to door soliciting in a school county .

Door-to-door sales were heavily scrutinized, and it was determined that solicitations by elementary-age students (grades K-5) are prohibited, while those in grades 6-12 will be allowed to go door-to-door with written, parental permission. “It’s for safety reasons,” Kuykendall said. “We’ve made some changes that we believe are in the best interest of the children, as well as the community.”

 Lets add a few more tips to create a door to door fundraising safety list :

• Fundraise in areas you are familiar with
• Go door to door in pairs
• Notify a parent or guardian where you are going and when you will be back
• Stay outside someone’s house if you feel uncomfortable with them
• Don’t carry cash in the open
• Don’t go to dimly lit areas or places where you are out of the line of sight

Although fundraising in itself isn’t a risky situation and incidents where something happens are extremely rare,  it is always good policy to have safety in mind when kids meet large numbers of people.

If you have other ideas that you want to add to the list or something that’s worked for your school, drop a comment.

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 There is something to the natural rush of performing for people that’s unbelievable! Music gives students a chance to experience that feeling. Sadly many schools are having to cut music education and performing.

On Saturday, January 28, The Madison Music Association in New Jersey will feature the Madison High School Jazz Ensemble and the Madison Junior School Jazz Ensemble at its 2012 “Dessert and Jazz“ fundraiser.

Each year, the MMA holds a number of fundraisers including Dessert and Jazz, the Florida fruit sale, and the Arts Matters Concert that benefit the band, orchestra and choral programs throughout the district K-12. Their many activities include the purchase of instruments and equipment, the subsidy of musical ensemble travel expenses and the supervision of the summer music program.

School funding has been very tight this year. Please don’t let your school cut programs without contacting us. We have solutions that have helped school music programs, sports and social clubs. If these fundraising programs have helped other schools, they will help yours.

We are going to challenge you to get involved this year.
Are you ready?

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ok so we’re back for a new year of Fundraising and Charity news. Lets leave 2011 behind because I know that for a lot of charity organizations, schools, churches etc it was a very lean year. Fundraising activities are increasingly important to keeping things going. I think we can all see that.

With that said, lets move on.

So what will you work towards this year?

2012 is a brand new year with new opportunities. Do you want to expand services, help animals, fund a well in Africa, provide new musical equipment for your school band? I’ll even accept personal resolutions to this question to see what people are coming up with.

Drop us your comments and lets see what you are excited about for 2012.

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Merry Christmas from Justfundraising! Thank you for supporting us and thank you for the important fundraising/ charity work you do. We wish you the best for the holidays and the upcoming year.

Now lets do some celebrating!

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Many thanks to those of you who sent information to us so we can help you give gifts that count. Please consider a purchase a gift this year from this list. It’s been a tough year for Fundraising and Charities and they do good work for people in need.

World Vision Gifts: Over 100 unique gifts to multiply your giving dollar.

Charity Village: Has a collection of links for philanthropic giving:

 The Hungersite: all shopping benefits 8 different causes of your choice. Help Hunger Issues, Autism, Literacy and more.

Chalice: 2011 Christmas Calendar Sponsors International Aid.

Alternative Gifts International: Give a gift that helps fight Hunger, Gender Inequality, Education and more.

Heifer Project International: Christmas gift catalogue
Habitat for Humanity: Clothes, Books and more gift ideas that help fundraise for putting people back into houses.

Green Gifts by the Natural Resources Defense Council: From Green Energy Boosts to Buffalo Babysitting gifts, the NRDC has a launched a new Green Gifts Online Catalog featuring over 40 gifts that help protect the environment and wildlife. [Purchase Green Gifts]

Inspired Gifts by UNICEF: Givers can purchase a School-in-a-Box to help set up a temporary school in times of crisis, vaccines, and even midwifery kits. Recipients get a card, and you help save lives. [Purchase Inspired Gifts]

Peace Bonds by Nonviolent Peaceforce: The purchase of Peace Bonds enable unarmed peacekeepers to go into conflict zones to protect vulnerable families. Givers can purchase as little as two hours of peacekeeping for $10 or up to 100 hours of peacekeeping for $500. [Purchase Peace Bonds]

Animal Adoptions by the National Wildlife Federation: From alligators to walruses, givers can adopt animals in the name of friends, family, or colleagues. Recipients receive certificates, posters, magnets, plush animals, or even binoculars depending upon how much you give. Adoptions range in price from $20-100. [Adopt an Animal]

Acre Adoptions by the Nature Conservancy: Donors purchase acre adoptions from all over the world. Recipients receive a map, fact sheet, an adoption certificate, and a subscription to Nature Conservancy magazine.[Adopt an Acre]

Creature Adoptions by Oceana: In addition to an adoption certificate, recipients also receive a cookie cutter of either a dolphin, shark, polar bear, penguin, octopus, or sea turtle. Adoptions range from $35-100. [Adopt a Creature]

Be the Change Gifts by MercyCorps: Givers can buy gifts that educate AIDs orphans, help women open businesses, or even purchase composting kits and cookstoves for in the developing world. Gifts start at $25. [Purchase Be the Change Gifts]

Online Gift Catalog by People for the Ethical Treatment on Animals: PETA has everything you could possibly imagine for animals lovers, particularly vegans and vegetarians. Clothes, books, mugs, calendars, computer accessories, and even gift certificates. [Shop PETA]

Holiday Honor Donations by the Make-A-Wish Foundation: Givers can choose whether to send e-Cards or to print certificates for either Christmas or Hanukah. [Make a Holiday Honor Donation].

OptInNow Gift Cards by Opportunity International: Givers can donate an amount in the name of a friend, family or colleagues. The recipient receives a gift card that they can then redeem and apply towards a loan to an entrepreneur in the developing world. [Purchase Gift Cards]

Green Essentials Kit: Set your friends and family on their green journey in style with a kit of essentials that includes a stylish reusable bag, a copy of The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen, an energy saving compact fluorescent light bulb, a bar of Demarah Natural Soap, and a reusable travel mug. This Green Essentials Kit is available for $40 from thegreenperspective.com, which offers a great selection of green gift baskets for everyone on your list.

Biodegradable T-Shirt: It’s possible to be both chic, comfortable, and conscious all at the same time by giving them a biodegradable t-shirt for Christmas. Purchase one for $25 from todydesigns.com and teach the newbie greenies in your life about waste prevention!

Plantable Eco Calendar: Be green every day of the year with Botanical Paperwork’s Plantable Calendar. At the end of each month, they can plant the seed-embedded calendar page, add water, and wait 6-8 weeks for Bird’s Eye, Clarkia, Coreopsis, Poppy, Catchfly, and Snap Dragon flowers to bloom. Only $14.95 at botanicalpaperworks.com!

I Am NOT a Paper Cup: A clever porcelain rendition of a paper cup that looks just like the modern to-go cup, except it can be used over and over again. It’s made of double-walled porcelain so it will keep drinks hot and paper cups out of landfills. Put one of these in a friend’s hand for only $10 and you’ll help them be green every time they drink their coffee. (  www.uncommongoods.com)

Eco Salon is offering 4 different box gift sets with sustainable items: http://ecosalon.com/the-box-holiday-collection/

St. Louis Christmas Carols Association – Christmas cards, Ornaments and Wreaths support this group who’ve been singing for 100 years

Water Bobble: A reusable water bottle that has an activated charcoal filter in the spout. Each bottle is made of FDA approved, recycled plastic and comes in one of six bright colors. The bottles are $10 and the filters, which need to be replaced every two months, are $7. The water Bobble is a low cost solution to the wasteful, Earth-damaging water bottle and, therefore, makes a great gift for anyone on your Christmas list, including yourself. (  www.containerstore.com)

Reusable Lunch Bag: The adult who takes their lunch to work in one of these totes for a year can save 90 pounds of garbage, while the child who uses one every day of the school year will eliminate 67 pounds of waste. Give a reusable lunch bag like the Gourmet Getaway to friends and relatives so they can do their part to prevent unnecessary waste and pollution. It’s available at lunchville.com for $22.99 and comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors.

A Green Cookbook: Give the chefs on your list In the Green Kitchen: Techniques to Learn by Heart by Alice Waters and they’ll be able to create 50 recipes using fresh, local ingredients. Available from Amazon for as low as $16.30.

Triple-Certified Coffee: Much like chocolate, coffee is a Christmas gift that is rarely rejected by recipients. Buy 2-pound bags of Birds & Beans coffee for all your coffee-loving friends and relatives, for $19.25 each. Not only is Birds & Beans’ coffee organic, Fair Trade, and shade grown, but twenty percent of the profits from your purchase will be donated to one of seven non-profit conservation groups.

Organic Cotton Scarf: Scarves are one of the best gifts for women who have everything. That’s because they’re one of the most essential accessories in her closet. An organic cotton gauze scarf from Azuri is a better choice than a brand that uses Earth-costly synthetic materials. All you need to know is your friend or relative’s favorite color so you can select it from the 110 available shades. It’s only $39 at nimli.com!

EcoCharger: Help the techies on your list reduce their energy bills by 10 percent with a charger that pulls no idle current (a.k.a. vampire energy) once the device is fully charged! The Volt-Star EcoCharger’s Energy Star-compliant design fills up gadgets in less time than other chargers and even comes in an Apple-compatible version. Available at volt-star.com for $32-$34.

Popcorn Set: Help the movie-lovers and foodies on your list snack organic with a popcorn set from Eden Foods. The set comes with plain popcorn kernels, soybean oil, sea salt, and garlic-sesame seasoning (all of which is organic, of course), in addition to a food-safe enamelware bowl and a 40-page recipe booklet. It’s only $35 at edenfoods.com.

A Bamboo Beanie or Belt: Check out Arbor Collective’s selection of hats and beanies made from bamboo viscose blends. And while you’re there, look into getting someone on your list a top grain leather belt with a metal buckle inlayed with reclaimed bamboo from Arbor’s snowboard and skateboard production.

Pomegranate Gift Kit: Give a female friend or relative a regenerating body care gift kit by Weleda. The kit includes organic pomegranate body oil, body wash, and a naturally exfoliating loofah, all inside an eco-friendly, reusable bag. Only $18 at usa.weleda.com!

Shower Timer: Help your friends and family conserve water with a sand or digital shower timer. It will actually change their shower habits and help connect the whole concept behind water and energy use with reality. These recyclable, waterproof timers come in fun and attractive designs and cost between $1 and $5.15 at usalandlord.com.

Water-Powered Clock: The Bedol Water Clock works 100 percent on natural power; no batteries, no chemicals, no pollution. All it takes is natural tap water and a splash of lemon juice and it’s set to keep accurate time for 8 to 12 weeks. Sized at 4” x 3 ½” and costing only $16, this clock is ideal for any home or office. Check it out at bedolwhatsnext.com.

Recyclable Travel Set: The Preserve Travel Set, consits of a triple razor with a completely recyclable handle, six replacement blades, and a toothbrush with a handle made from recycled yogurt cups. The kit is a super gift because it teaches your loved ones to become green when they’re on the go. Costs only $15.99 from preserveproducts.com.

Organic Chocolate: Get the chocolate lovers on your list a unique and deliciously favored Shaman Chocolate bar, which are organic, Fair Trade, and only $3 each. Your purchase will provide support for the indigenous Huichol Indians of Mexico.

Organic Lip Balm Set: Give your girlfriend a USDA-certified organic, All The Better To Kiss You With eco lip balm set. Each 0.25 oz. Pepperminty, Lavender Vanilla, and Chai Mandarin lip balm is 100 percent cruelty-free and comes in a vintage, recyclable tin. The Eco Kiss Kit is available at babybearshop.com for just $20.

If you think that you have a gift collection that fits in these categories and benefits others, post your link in the comments so others can see.

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Every year we try and gather a list of the best gift ideas from non profit and community organizations out there ( check out our previous Charity Christmas List ).

If you think that you have a good idea that would help benefit Fundraising and  Charity groups and needs,  drop a comment here or email us at: justfundraising@gmx.com

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Well this is interesting. This fundraiser is a great example of how a school fundraising event can  benefit major international companies and schools.

Ford and Lincoln have created a Drive One 4 UR School Event that lets people test drive their cars and raises money for a schools extra curricular activities.

For every qualified person who tests drives a Ford car they will donate $20 to the school or until they reach a maximum donation of $6,000. All drivers have to be at least 18 years old with a valid drivers license.Participation numbers should be high considering the number of high school students looking for cars and wanting to drive. However if Ford is brave enough to do this, well….game on!

The company encourages you to combine this with other fundraisers ( hint, contact us ) so on the event day, as many people as possible show up. It’s a win win situation.

With the funding challenges schools and in particular their sports, band and social clubs have been having this year it’s great to see major sponsors helping out. When other businesses take notice at the amount of sales and press this generates hopefully more companies will tie in to school fundraising with their products.

For more information on how you can put on one of these events, contact Drive One 4 UR School Program Headquarters by phone at 888-908-3673 or check out their website.

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It’s been a rough year there’s no doubt. Between all the financial upheaval and natural disasters, life has to go on. Schools are feeling the funding pinch now more than ever. This school sports fundraising season we’ve seen more do-or-die situations than ever before. Combine that with the fact that it is hard to come up with volunteers for the projects and keep the students focused and the challenges are clear.

However it’s gotta get done and and combined with Schools we’re STILL putting together winning solutions.

 Here are a couple of articles I’ve found around the web that illustrate how schools are not only coping but “winning” ( sorry Charlie Sheen ) at sports fundraising. 

How to Get Kids Excited About School Fundraising

Here’s a funny piece from the Sudbury Star about Fundraising Being A Necessary Part of Youth Sports

Middle School Sports in Second Round

Teams Get Creative to Raise Funds

There’s hope and solutions out there. Contact us for help with your school sports fundraiser.

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