Football and baseball phenom Bo Jackson once said, “Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.”

You can channel this energy by putting fundraising strategies to work for your favorite cause. While it might initially feel like an uphill battle, reaching an ambitious fundraising goal is easier than you might think and provides valuable resources to nonprofit organizations like Reality Changers. You don’t need a lot of money or a huge network to make a difference in your community. Grab a few friends and implement these ideas if you’re hoping to raise money for a good cause.

FUNDRAISING TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND

SET CLEAR GOALS AND TIMELINES

Before diving into fundraiser ideas, setting some SMART goals for your efforts is a good idea. Create specific, measurable, and achievable fundraising goals — having a clear target will keep you focused and motivated throughout the process.

Optimize your fundraising strategy by taking a deliberate and organized approach. Begin by clearly defining your fundraising goals, specifying the targeted amount, and identifying the projects or initiatives to be supported. Develop a timeline that encompasses key milestones, deadlines, and events. Break down the timeline into manageable tasks to enhance organization and ensure you stay on course.

CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Once you’ve outlined these fundamentals, develop a detailed fundraising plan outlining your objectives, timeline, budget, and necessary resources. Give careful thought to any potential challenges or obstacles and develop contingency plans.

GET WHAT YOU NEED FOR SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING

Consider what you’ll need to execute your fundraising plan, including finances, volunteers, materials, and technology. Be sure to factor in any expenses associated with marketing and event planning.

STAY ORGANIZED

As you plan, do whatever you need to do to stay organized. Once money starts rolling in, note who donated what and when. This information can provide guidance into what fundraising efforts are best, which you should try again, and which you can skip altogether. Don’t be afraid to use tracking tools to guide your insights — a spreadsheet can do wonders to keep the tiny details in one place.

REACH MORE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT CHANNELS

One of the best ways to set your fundraiser up for success is to diversify your efforts. Consider getting the word out via social media, email, text, and flyers . This approach will help you reach a broader audience and maximize your fundraising potential.

USE STORIES TO INSPIRE

Regardless of which fundraising ideas you decide to use, remember the impact that stories can have. Be ready to share testimonials that illustrate the importance of your cause and the difference your fundraising efforts will make. Personalize your message to connect with donors emotionally and inspire them to take action.

GET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON BOARD

Simply talking about your favorite cause is one of the best ways to get your friends and family involved. Passion is contagious, and when people hear your enthusiasm for your organization, they’ll likely be eager to contribute, too. Fundraising strategies don’t need to reinvent the wheel to be effective.

Begin by listing out every person you know. This list should include your friends and family, but think about less obvious candidates, too. Colleagues, workout buddies, and neighbors may all be eager to learn about your passions. You’ll want to tailor these conversations to each person individually. Some people respond well to in-person conversations, while others prefer a quick email. No matter what tact you take, make the personal connections you have a priority. Let each person know why the cause matters and how they can make a donation.

Once you’ve spoken with people about your goals, reevaluate. People are busy and absent-minded – they may forget about your request once the conversation has ended. Gentle reminders are a great way to refresh their memories. If you know anyone who hoped to contribute but hasn’t done so, follow up with a polite text or email.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FUNDRAISING IDEA

When fundraising independently or as a small group, it’s essential to choose ideas that are manageable and align with your capabilities. Look for fundraising activities that you can execute effectively with limited resources and support. Consider leveraging your personal skills and interests to create unique fundraising opportunities, such as offering services, organizing small events, or selling homemade goods.

Social media provides accessible options for reaching a wider audience and collecting donations.

Additionally, think about activities that resonate with your community and have the potential to generate enthusiasm and support. By focusing on ideas that are feasible and align with your strengths, you can maximize your fundraising efforts and achieve success even without organizational backing.

BEST FUNDRAISING IDEAS

When it comes to creative fundraising ideas, a few classics have withstood the test of time. Consider trying these favorites the next time you’re raising money for a good cause:

HOST A BAKE SALE

There are few fundraising ideas as classic as the humble bake sale. That’s because they require very little start-up money to be successful. The basic premise is that you and your friends contribute homemade baked goods to sell to supporters or the public. It’s a simple way to earn cash, share your goals, and delight customers all at once.

There are several fundraising strategies to employ at a bake sale. For starters, try adding a musical cakewalk to your event – think musical chairs but with sweet treats on the line! You can sell cakewalk tickets for $1 each or reward customers with a free ticket for every baked good they purchase. Silent auctions are another excellent option for bake sale fundraisers. Talk with local bakeries about your goals and see if they’d be willing to contribute to the event. Auctioning off a gorgeous cake from a favorite local bakery is a great way to entice people to participate.

PLAN A CAR WASH

Car wash fundraisers are a classic for a reason. They can be incredibly fun, cheap to set up, and provide a much-needed service to local motorists. Virtually everyone needs a car wash from time to time. Your fundraiser could be a great way for drivers to cross items off their to-do list while supporting a good cause. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Begin by scouting a location. Supermarket parking lots, schools, and recreation centers make excellent car washes. Be sure to get permission before making any official plans. Countless car wash fundraising tips are online, but location matters more than anything else. Choose a spot with access to a water supply and plenty of through traffic.

For best results, try combining your car wash with a bake sale event. While customers have their vehicles worked on, they can snack on cookies, cake, coffee, or other goodies. This cheap fundraising idea can bring surprising results and is a fun way to spend a day.

DIY CRAFT SALE

Create and sell handmade crafts or artwork online platforms like Instagram or Facebook. You can also organize a virtual craft fair where participants showcase and sell their creations via live streams or pre-recorded videos.

PERSONAL CHALLENGES

Take on a personal challenge, such as running a marathon, walking a certain number of miles, or giving up a habit for a set period of time. Ask friends, family, and community members to sponsor you by making donations towards your cause.

MOVIE NIGHT

Organize a movie screening and invite participants to purchase tickets to join the event. You can stream a popular movie or a selection of short films related to your cause.

CREATIVE FUNDRAISING IDEAS

Creative fundraising ideas break the mold to captivate the attention of your audience. If you’re feeling burned out on the same old fundraisers, try injecting some novelty into your campaign with these ideas:

GET A VIRTUAL SHOUT-OUT FROM A CELEBRITY

If you’re eager to inject a little star power into your campaign, offer donors the chance to receive personalized virtual shout-outs from their favorite celebrities. This approach creates excitement and engagement, providing supporters with a unique and memorable experience while raising funds for your cause.

Don’t you know any celebrities who would ask for this favor? Services like Cameo can come in handy. For a few dollars, you can pay a celeb to personally address your donors. Of course, you can always aim a little lower in your campaign, too — local celebrities are often happy to lend their name to a cause! And you or someone you know might be personally connected to one!

HOST A DINNER

Looking for a way to bring folks together for a good cause? Plan a fundraising dinner! Gather a team of people interested in hosting. You’ll want to find volunteers to help with marketing, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and running the event. If you’re planning something formal, sell tickets or send out invitations.

You’ll want to research before sharing your plans with others. Look for a location with adequate seating, food preparation facilities, parking, and bathrooms. Whether planning a brunch, a spaghetti dinner, or a chili cook-off, you will need these fundamentals to pull off a successful event. Don’t hesitate to reach out to local businesses to help support your goals!

EASY FUNDRAISING IDEAS

Sometimes, the path of least resistance makes the most sense. If you’re short on time, funds, or creative ideas, try implementing a few of these easy fundraising ideas:

PLAN A THEMED FUNDRAISING DAY

Choose a fun theme like “Pajama Day” or “Crazy Hat Day” and invite participants to dress up and donate to participate. You can organize these themed days at schools, offices, or community centers. For best results, consider adding activities or incentives to enhance the experience for participants further. For instance, plan on contests or games relating to your theme. You can offer prizes for the best-dressed individuals and provide themed snacks.

SCHEDULE A GARAGE SALE

We all have clutter that we need to rid ourselves of. Your friends and family would likely love to donate gently used items such as clothing, books, or household goods. Don’t have a garage or driveway in mind for such an event? Host a virtual garage sale on social media or an online marketplace, and invite people to purchase items with proceeds benefiting your cause.

VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING IDEAS

We’re all addicted to our phones — why not try to meet people where they are? Virtual fundraising ideas can make connecting with your friends and family easy and tell them about your goals with zero pressure to contribute. Try these ideas for your next campaign:

TRY PEER TO PEER FUNDRAISING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Over the last few years, peer-to-peer fundraising strategies have transformed how we give. Think about the last time you or a friend celebrated a birthday on social media. Odds are good that they used the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a cause they’re passionate about. Rather than ask for gifts, people can now request contributions to their favorite organization.

It’s never been easier to share your passion projects with family, friends and the world. As people donate, make an extra effort to thank each individual personally for their contribution. An acknowledgment of their generosity may inspire others to donate. This is one fundraising tip that can apply to almost every strategy we’ve listed! By leading with gratitude, you inspire others to do the same.

Virtual Talent Show

Encourage community members to showcase their talents virtually, whether it’s singing, dancing, comedy, or any other skill. Participants can pay an entry fee, and viewers can donate to vote for their favorite acts.

Virtual Fitness Challenge

Organize a virtual fitness challenge where participants commit to a certain activity, such as running, walking, or cycling, and gather sponsors to pledge donations based on their achievements.

Virtual Trivia Night

Host a virtual trivia night on topics of interest, and participants can pay an entry fee to join. You can use platforms like Kahoot or QuizUp to facilitate the trivia game.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Fundraising can be incredibly impactful when boosting awareness and money for your favorite organizations. Give these strategies a shot – you may surprise yourself with how much of an impact you and your friends can have with a little effort.

Reality Changers relies on donations to help prepare youth to become first-generation college graduates and agents of change in their communities. You can support this work by making a gift or organizing a fundraiser. For fundraising support, please contact us at advancement@realitychangers.org.