Cheap Fundraising Ideas – 8 Simple Ways to Raise Money
As a nonprofit, you rely on donations and your fundraising efforts to support your cause fiscally. If you are a newer nonprofit or charity, there is a good chance you don’t have a lot of capital to invest toward an expensive fundraiser. If this is the case, don’t fret. This article will cover eight cheap fundraising ideas you can try today.
#1: Workshops and Classes
A low-cost way to raise funds is to host a workshop or class. If you have somebody in your organization with a teachable skill, this might be the fundraiser for you. Here are a few ideas:
- Host an art class at a local high school
- Teach a series of yoga or water aerobics classes at a local gym
- Hold a marketing workshop for local business owners at the Chamber of Commerce
- Create a book club for community members
Get creative! Chances are, somebody in your organization has something valuable to offer. If not, that is ok. You can always reach out to others in your community to see if they would be willing to volunteer their time. For instance, a local art teacher might be willing to host a painting workshop. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
#2: Raffles
It seems like every sporting event has a 50/50 raffle. Why not give it a try? All you need is some tickets, a few volunteers, and permission from the event organizer or institution. Be sure to check both local and state regulations around fundraising. Some states have outright banned 50/50 raffles. When you are sure you can legally host the raffle, approach the institution and let them know it is for a great cause.
#3: Sell Your Old Stuff
The third of our cheap fundraising ideas help you free up space in your home. Chances are, you and your fellow members have some old items collecting dust in your storage. Why not clear out some space by selling these old clothes, furniture, and collectibles? Better yet, you can donate your earnings to your cause. One popular way of selling these items is through consignment shops. The way it works is you pay a fee or commission to have the shop sell your items on your behalf. This low-effort fundraiser opens space in your home and sends money to a good cause.
#4: Car Wash
Another great way to raise money is to host a car wash. We recommend finding a high-traffic area, like a strip mall parking lot, to host your car wash. If you are raising funds for a school, you can also use your school’s parking lot during the weekend to wash cars. You can use cheap cardboard signs to advise your car wash as well as social media. From there, your only expenses are soap and sponges. Easy peasy!
#5: Bracelet Sale
The ultimate fundraising item for charities and nonprofit organizations is rubber bracelets, which is why they have become so iconic with the Livestrong and Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns. Rubber bracelets are a high-margin apparel item that can be used to generate exposure. When purchased in bulk, these bracelets only cost cents per unit but can be sold for as much as five or six dollars per band. We also make the process of designing rubber bracelets very simple so you can get back to more important things. We allow you to add custom text, logos, and graphics to your bands in a variety of styles.
#6: Collect Recyclables
In many states, you can exchange plastic and aluminum for cash. Encourage members of your community to collect their recyclables and save them for your organization to exchange for cash. You can have volunteers pick up these bags of recyclables, or you can ask that they deliver them to the location of your choosing. It may be wise to collect the recyclables and wait for the optimal price per pound. Because these materials are commodities, their price is dictated by the market. Before cashing in, be sure to check the price index.
#7: Community Service
This one allows you to support your community whilst simultaneously raising funds to further support your community—double-whammy! Many people in your community might be willing to pay you a small fee to have you do small outside chores for them. Things like shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, cleaning the street, and raking leaves are just busy work that most people would love to pawn off to another person. For $10 an hour, you can raise some serious cash for your cause.
#8: Yard Sale
If a consignment shop isn’t your cup of tea, you and your fellow members can also host a community yard sale where members of your community can buy your old belongings and repurpose them. While you open up space in your home, your old items find a new home, and your cause earns some much-needed cash. We recommend setting up the shop in your own yard to avoid permit costs. You will also get more foot traffic from your neighbors that way.
We Are Here to Help
If you have additional questions about how we can be of service to you and your fundraising needs or want want more cheap fundraising ideas, be sure to begin a live chat with a representative today. You can also get in contact with us here!