Fundraising Ideas
Many teams have come up with remarkable ideas
for raising funds during Walk to Aspire:
- Raffle.
One year, a team raffled an Apple Ipod. It was the hottest item on
campus! Look for an item that everyone wants and hold a raffle. You must
make it convenient to purchase the raffle tickets and prices must be
reasonable. But not too reasonable – this has to get you to your goal!
- Sports
donations. A sports
team can ask for donations during one of your regularly scheduled games and
announce that the collection is to support the team. Make posters and flyers to
promote the project.
- Sponsorships.
Get family and friends to sponsor you for each lap around the track. Raise
money and get in shape at the same time.
- Host
a luncheon. One previous team hosted a full luncheon in the lobby of the Administration
building – hot plates kept the entrees warm and they had an assortment of items
including salad, pasta, sausage and peppers, chicken and rice, coffee, tea and
dessert! The keys to its success was that it was thoroughly organized;
all the servers took turns at the tables; its location was advertised on the
main walk in front of the Administration building; they had plenty of plates
and cups and bags for people to eat and run and the food was delicious.
- Door-to
door. One year, Freshman Academies won the
"innovative fundraising" award mobilizing its people within the
College and partnering with the community to reach their goal. They held raffles; they went door to door
asking for support; they held a raffle using donated gifts as prizes; they went
outside to the business community and told them about their project and won
support – they did it all the old-fashioned way – they earned it! And
they succeeded – they raised $3,463.
- Connect your outside organizations. A service learning project can connect your club,
church, synagogue, your local high school or organization to raising funds for
scholarships for students. Establish a process of developing a list of
names and addresses for a mailing list or create an event at which to
fundraise; draft a letter or invitation on behalf of your project; send to your
mailing list; establish how you will handle returns or plan your event; develop
a thank you; count your collections for the Walk
to Aspire!
- Host a contest. Your club or organization can hold a contest – a dance or literary
contest– where the entrants will make a donation to enter the contest.
Part of the collection can go to the prize and the rest goes for your team.
- Bake sale. Hold a bake sale at one of your meetings or events.
- Community relations. One team wrote to a former professor now working at
a local hospital. The professor shared the letter with the
hospital community, raising $1,000.
