Fundraiser ideas for a 12 yr old!

[taximomfor4]

Any ideas on fundraisers dd can do (independently, not a group fundraiser) for her summer Youth Orchestra join fee? She has been working very hard qualifying for the highest orchestra, and her private teacher is sure she can audition into it this year. She is begging for ways to pay her own way, but at 12, is limited on what she can do to earn the $. I know a woman who sells Home Interiors, so we could do a candle sale, but that lady gets mad if we don't sell "enough." Ideas, anyone?

Beth

 

[Tink33]

How about a concert? Musical birthday grams? Valentine music grams? Any local restaurants where she could play for tips?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

here's a bump for you, you were next for page 2

 

[taekwondo mom]

baby sitting service

 

[simba928]

A friend of mine is doing a Student Ambassador Program this summer and needs to pay for half of it. He is making chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate lolli pops at school to raise it. I think he has raised a good amount doing it. He sells two chocolate covered pretzels (in a bag with a little note attached explaining why he is selling them) for $1. He sells the lolli pops (again with the note) for $.50 each. He brings them to school and sells them to friends, classmates, etc. She could do something like that and I bet she could come up with a decent amount of money.

 

[mommytotwo]

Have her sell Yankee Candles. Or maybe flowers for Valentines Day. Have her take preorders of individual flowers and bouquets now and then have her go around to different businesses on Valentines Day along with stuffed animals or chocolates.

 

[taximomfor4]

wow, great ideas so far! At 12, she is torn between wanting to earn big activities herself and being too young to do much in the way of earning. I will run some of these by her and see if any sound feasible!! By the way, this is apparently a sign that she at least knows "a lot" of money, lol. She hands me the paperwork, and earnestly begs to earn her way there.

Keep ideas coming!
Beth

 

[Sparx]

selling candy?

do you have a friend with a restraunt or something? she could probably help pick up some slack, like do a few dishes and sweep and things like that to earn some money.

babysitting?

 

[Lil_Tink]

Car Washing?
Baby sitting/ Mother helper?
Mowing lawns?
Picking Weeds?

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

babysitting...5 bucks an hour..on a good night I make 100....its great. Have her put up flyers near your house and give them out to people you know with young kids.

also yard sales! I have to pay to go to Princeton next month..i cleaned out my room and made 300 dollars!

12 is a hard age...babysitting may be one of her best bets for a really good job she can keep after she earns the money she needs.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

In addition to the above--brainstorm ideas of things she could do, like pet sitting or pet walking. Another possibility is "party helper", which I've hired on occasion to keep things moving and do face painting, etc. Add any special skills she might have, like the music, if playing at a function is a possibility. (You didn't say what she played--this might not be easy if it's the tuba!) Throw in babysitting, light housekeeping, yard work, etc. Then she can make up a flyer, explaining why she wants to earn the money and offering her various services. I would pass it out to friends and neighbors--since it would have her name and number, I don't know that I would put up flyers so much as talk to people you were already comfortable with.

I agree with th eidea of looking at upcoming events--Valentine's is just around the corner, maybe either flower delivery or homemade cards? Last year, DS7 commissioned DD9 to make a card for "that special someone"--they worked out a barter arrangement--very cute. She could also look at other school activities (dances? pep rallies?) that perhaps she could make and sell something for.

There are possibilities out there, she just has to be creative. I would hate to discourage a child with her initiative!

 

[tkd lisa]

For my girl scouts, we started moving into craftwork, which we were going to sell at local craft shows. I taught them all how to crochet, and they were working on those small purses that the girls like now. Hair Scrunchies are easy to make too. We also did the macrame friendship bracelets and the jute necklaces (surfer style). We also made home made cards and stationary using stamps and a computer program as well as homemade wrapping paper from a roll of craft paper. For the girls, each of the projects was helping them towards a "badge" as well as making money.

 

[KelNottAt]

I bet your neighbors would pay her to pooper-scoop their yards. $1 per pound sounds fair to me.

 

[taximomfor4]

I guess I should add that she plays Viola. I think she is ready for a mothers helper job, but not babysitting yet. She is not the most observant kid (actually ADD but getting a little better). I think she would really enjoy making some sort of craft or candy and selling it. I might take her around to the KNOWN neighbors houses, and she can be carrying thankyou notes to give those who buy, letting them know what they helped her do. I wish I had bought last year's CD ...she was in the second - from - the-top orchestra last summer. Then, we could have the music playing lightly so people can hear what these kids accomplish in this program.

Now to get the ball rolling!!

BTW, here is a pic of her in last year's concert...she is middle-right, second row, bright pink sundress.

 

[momsgoofy]

I understand your situation...having a musically inclined child isn't cheap. But you are so right that it's awesome your DD is wanting to fund her own project...our DS just bought his own intermediate trombone in the summer...a couple grand almost totally funded on his own. (We bought the first one.) He used his savings, which at 13 he's great about doing. He does certain chores around the house for weekly pay so he can buy the things we always don't agree with...it started with those Pokemon cards. He also gets money from several relatives at Christmas and birthday that he saves, so he's a good kid when it comes to money.

DS attends a band camp annually that just keeps getting more expensive each year. He takes lessons from a private teacher and as part of her instruction she has the kids compete in a Jr. Music Festival competition...goal is the gold cup, which gets bigger with each level completed. Anyway, to participate the child must belong to a music club...well, in turn the music club has some money...they do give out scholarships for things, so DS has written the club for the last 2 years before band camp, seeking consideration for a scholarship to attend the camp. He has been fortunate to receive one each year. It in no way covers the entire cost, but it helps. So would something like that be an option for your DD?

DS also tells his family when there is something big he's saving for...band camp...a computer... many of them will help him out by giving him money for a gift.

Also, one of the perks of belonging to the school band, when they have a fundraiser, half of the profit collected by DS goes into his personal account which can be used for such things as band camps, contest fees, the band trip, etc. So, is that a possibility for your DD?

The idea of baked goods is always great! Could your DD have a bake sale at your church, local grocery store or Walmart around here allows them...You might get some family members to help make items for it...or your DD could do the pre-order thing and have a set pick up time and location.

I would caution about selling things at DD's school...there may be restrictions. Our schools will not allow any fundraising of items not school related, so before doing so you should check with the school.

Babysitting is a lot of responsibility, so I might shy away from it.

Looking out my window I see the snow coming down...don't know if your DD would be okay with it or if you would, but how about shoveling snow?

How about putting together a small cookbook? You could do it on the computer at home, either print or xerox copy it and sell it. It would not have to be fancy...a front cover, even heavyweight paper would work, a back cover of the same, and stapled together...not many pages. She could do that by pre-order...make 1 or 2 copies to show then make the exact amount needed. It could even be a kids' cookbook...something simple. You could get recipes from your personal collection, friends, family, other cookbooks, and here at the DIS I'm sure you could get a few if you asked. If you wanted to be a bit fancier, Staples and Kinkos offer binding...not sure of the price though. A youth group at a church did this to fund a trip some place and it went over very well.

Hey, could your daughter and you organize a small dinner somewhere...like a chili supper (offer chili, hotdogs, chips, a drink and dessert) at the church or some place? It might do well. I see those things around here a lot.

And if your DD does any fundraising that would be of note...like a bakesale, cookbooks, or the Valentine gifts idea...try to announce it so more people will know...a small article on the event. Our small weekly hometown newspaper will do human interest type stories on kids trying to get to dance competitions or music events...anything.

I think if people know what the reason is for the fundraising...most people are willing to help kids achieve their goals. And those who do help out are pleased to hear a nice big thank you...I always have DS write a short letter of thanks to the music club, highlighting some of what he learned at the band camp.

I'm sorry if I rambled about this, but that's what happens with brainstorming...the ideas just pop out...
I hope something in here helps! Let us know how it goes and if we can do anything else to help your daughter...she sounds like a very fine young lady and a talented musician!! Best wishes to her!!