Are you a school drama club that needs to raise funds for a new set of stage lights? Or perhaps you’re part of a small church that wants to set up a weekly soup kitchen for the homeless? Or could you be a volunteer at a local community center that aims to give medical aid to less fortunate senior citizens?
Whether you’re a youth-led group or a professional nonprofit organization operating on a small scale, your efforts to help can certainly make a big difference. Conducting fundraisers such as a sports auction, a bake sale, or a Sunday scavenger hunt activity can be effective ways to raise money for a cause.
Great Things Come From Small Beginnings
They say that what little you can give can go a long way. For small groups and minor nonprofit organizations, the desire to raise funds for a cause already makes a difference. When you count yourself as part of this movement, the size of your group doesn’t really matter. It is the size of your heart and its dedication to providing for the needs of the less fortunate that counts.
Some charity groups who operate on a smaller scale think that they have a lesser change of raising funds compared to bigger, more established institutions. However, there are countless other ways to raise funds that will suit the needs and scope of a smaller organization.
In fact, smaller groups can have a big impact when you know how to maximize your strengths. Communication within the group may be clearer and faster since there are only a handful of you interacting and sharing ideas. Decisions can also be made more quickly and action plans deployed swiftly.
Whether you decide to go for a fabulous fashion auction event or rough it out by going on a hike-for-a cause activity, your efforts will not go unnoticed, as long as you stay focused on your goal, designate roles appropriately, and make use of the proper channels.
Of course, you can always seek the expertise of auction management professionals, especially for onsite, off-site, or online bidding management.
If you’re curious to know of other activities that can be an effective tool to raise funds for charity, here are some simple suggestions:
1. Share Your Expertise
Are you a group of musicians? Why not organize a small concert to raise funds? If you’re a book club, how about launching a book sale event? Are you a salon owners’ association? How about donating natural hair to cancer patients?
If you or your group wants to raise money for charity, you can look within the organization and leverage your specific skills. If you are a non-profit group, see how each member can contribute his or her talent to the cause.
In exchange for your donors’ contributions, you can offer specific services that you are good at.
For example, if there are interior designers in your group, you can offer consultation and/or design services to the top bidders. If there are any professional make-up artists in your group, you can raffle off a make-up session in exchange for donations. If you’re a group of baking or cooking professionals, why not auction off a fine dining experience to the winning donor?
2. Raise Funds With Fashion
Flaunt your style and raise funds through a fashion auction. You can secure the help of a professional auction management team to procure fashionable items that can be auctioned off.
Limited-edition fashion accessories, couture creations, and exclusive branded items usually fetch a good price. Ask renowned fashion designers or even popular fashionistas in your community to donate to the cause and auction off their pieces or special fashion finds. Invite the chic set to your event and let your voguish collection of auction pieces do the talking.
3. Celebrate for a Cause
You can also hold a party to raise funds. If your community is crazy about music, how about holding a karaoke night? You can also hold a painting party for the artistic set. For nature-lovers, how about doing a Sunday barbecue party at the park?
Parties and get-togethers are a good way of gathering people and presenting to them your cause. Through good food, lively entertainment, and lots of meaningful conversations, you have a better chance of persuading people to contribute to your charity drive.
4. Source Funds Through Sports
Sports charity events are also a good way to attract donors. Invite the active and sporty set to events such as walkathons, marathons, or triathlons to raise funds.
It doesn’t have to be hardcore physical fitness activities either. It can also be fun events such as scavenger hunts, bowling competitions, or kiddie games such as sack races or relays.
You can also hold an event that auctions off sports memorabilia such as signed sports items, photographs, or mementos from popular sports icons or celebrities. An auction management team can help you procure items and manage the auction efficiently from start to finish.
5. Wash for Cash
Another popular fundraising activity that can be done by smaller groups is car wash and pet washing drives.
It’s not just students who can organize a car wash activity. Other local groups or non-profits that wish to exchange their car cleaning services for donations can also do it. It can also be paired with a lemonade-for-aid effort or a bake sale.
For a more specific audience, you can target pet owners with a wash-for-cash event. You can offer to wash or groom their cats or dogs in exchange for donations. Some also add on pet walking or pet sitting services to their fundraising drive.
Making a Difference in Little Ways
No matter how small your organization is, as long as you remain committed to your cause, then even small steps can make a big difference.
Whether you do it by yourselves or with the help of a professional team, you can churn out ideas that will work to the advantage of your beneficiaries. Little steps, when done with great care, can fuel the passion to help people in need.
If you need help organizing your charity or non-profit fundraiser, please get in touch with Go Charity. We’ll be happy to help.
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