If you worked for a non-profit organization, what would you do for a fundraising project?

Question

I would write a novel in relation to the organization's cause, and have x amount of book sales go to the organization. Or, I would contact a shopping mall and ask if they are willing to participate in a "Store Takeover Day." Volunteering employees of the organization would take over a store of their choice for the original owner, and whatever money is made from the store in the course of the day goes to the organization. (Of course, we'd have people put their money in "charity jars" we would have provided, in place of a cash register.

Would these sound like good ideas to you? Also, I'm curious to know what you would come up with. Thanks.

Answer 1

Those two ideas are not likely to work but never hurts to try. I don't thing anyone will turn their store over to strangers and if you write something be sure it is of interest so it will sell. Often McD will do a Pancake breakfast for non porfits. Try writing a cookbook and standing in front of WalMart-with their permission-to sell it. A cake sale, a car wash, raffles-get someone to donate something-many stores will give you permission to use their parking lot or grounds. Radio and TV stations will publicise for free. The best one yet for us is that we get the permission of the police and then we decorate paint cans (handle is important) and man four corners of a busy intersection. We have people sitting holding large posters so that they know why we are asking for donations. We've done a lot of work to be sure our organization is recognized in the community for the good work we do. We make about $1200 in four hours and it's a lot less work than any of the others and much less time consuming than writing a novel that may or may not sell or even be published. The trick to non-profit fundraising-especially since we are all volunteers - is something that does not eat up all the members free time so that they can do what we are supposed to be doing and that we get bang for the time. If you find something that works in the community, don't overwork it or your donations for time spent will drastically go down. We also have some benefactors that give us some especially good resale items. We have garage sales in the best part of town and do very, very well with those.

Answer 2

Yes, they all sound good. Go for it.