Free Fundraising Ideas
Many events or ideas designed for raising money put some groups at a disadvantage if they have no seed money to start their fundraisers. If your group fits that description, you could ask for donations from supporters and even offer to reimburse them when the money comes in.
But before you go crawling on your hands and knees begging for money, consider some of these FREE fundraising ideas.
What do we mean by FREE? It simply means that it costs nothing to start these fundraisers.
Free Fundraising Idea #1
Have a big group? Would you like to raise money and help your lovely planet Earth at the same time? (Say yes.) Then a laser and inkjet cartridge fundraiser might be just what you're looking for.
Most households and businesses nowadays own computers and printers - sometimes several. And that means millions of used printer cartridges heading to the landfill every day.
Don't let anyone throw out another ink jet or laser cartridge. Have your volunteers and supporters collect these cartridges for recycling and get paid for each one. The Funding Factory will pay you for them.
Free Fundraising Idea #2
Want a free website? This is a money machine. Efundraising will give you a FREE
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online fundraising store that you can personalize with your own photos, message and share via social networks. Every group should do this one regardless of whether they are already doing any other kind of fundraiser. Here's why:
- It's free.
- It's really easy and most of the work is done for you.
- It can be started at any time and run for as long as you want (like forever).
- There's no selling involved.
- There's no knocking on doors.
- There's no money to collect.
- There's nothing to deliver or store.
- It can be done in conjunction with any other fundraiser.
- Supporters shop for popular magazines (PEOPLE, TIME, Sports Illustrated, etc.), Restaurant.com Cards and cookie dough.
- Your group earns up to 40% on every sale.
- Your supporters can choose from over 650 titles and still get a discount up to 85%.
It works especially well for large groups or if your group sends out a regular newsletter, since you can periodically remind your supporters.
Remember the old way - sending out armies of kids to knock on neighbors doors? Those days are gone. Now it's an easy step-by-step process anyone can do.
Send everyone you know (friends and family from coast to coast, your supporters, their friends and family, etc.) to your store.
Christine Ortiz from the Analisa Montalvo Fund writes: "This is essentially the easiest way to raise funds for your program. People buy magazines all the time. This website allows your friends to make their purchase (for something they would have gotten anyway) at a discounted price and 40% of the proceeds go to the program. Once a month a check comes straight to your office and once just a few emails go out the fundraising is working with very little effort..."
Most households subscribe to two or three magazines already. Why not let them renew their subscriptions through you, so your non-profit group benefits. Fundraising groups are signing up for this in droves because it's free and can be started any time of the year.
You can even start your campaign using email (and they'll send the emails out FOR you). Raise money while you sit at home. Easy as pie.
Free Fundraising Idea #3
Scratchcards – they work like a lottery ticket in reverse. Instead of scratching the
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You and your volunteers find potential donors and ask them if they'd like to play a game to support your cause. Most people will play when they find out that their obligation will be limited to $5.00 and might be much less.
Each dot has a dollar value behind it, from zero to $5.00, and whichever dot they choose to scratch off is the amount they agree (in advance) to pay.
Even better: for their trouble, your participants will receive a bunch of valuable coupons just for playing.
How is this idea free?
Efundraising will send you the cards in advance (No money upfront = FREE). But if you'd rather pay upfront, you'll get a 5% discount on the cards. Your group will raise as much as $100 per card. Excellent.
Free Fundraising Idea #4
Here's another way you can help your Mother Earth. Recycle cell phones.
If you've been around since the early 80's, you know how fast technology changes. Cell phones are no exception. Remember "the brick"? Don't just throw them away or put them in a closet and forget about them. Turn them in for cash.
The last thing you want is to have your old cell phones rotting in a landfill and leaching toxic metals into our groundwater and streams for the next two hundred years. The Funding Factory will pay you for them – up to $162 per phone depending on the model.
For even more money, why not combine ink jet recycling with cell phone recycling. The Funding Factory handles both programs. UPDATE: In addition to ink cartridges and cell phones, they're now accepting outdated cameras, laptops and other small electronics such as I-pods and GPS devices too.
Teach your kids about ecology and earn money for your fundraiser at the same time. The planet will love you for it.
These fundraisers can run continuously, so it's almost like residual income.
Free Fundraising Idea #5
Showcase your cause and raise money the easy way. Sign up with GoFundMe for free and simply fill out a form with your details to create your very own web page. Just add your goal amount, a nice photo and a compelling description. Other people around the world will then donate to your cause. There's nothing to sell, it's all donations.
GoFundMe lets you raise money for virtually any idea, venture or deserving cause you want. Donations are handled securely through Paypal.
Why would you want another free web page?
It's all about exposure. The more people see your cause, the more money you'll raise, it's that simple. Besides, what do you have to lose if it's free?
This works for large charities, like say, Save the Whales or breast cancer research, or your school band, but even for individual fundraisers, for those folks who need money for their personal projects or life events. Check it out to see the amazing success others have had and then add yours.