Fundraisers Anyone?

[mrsboz]

I’m looking for ideas for fundraisers for my church. Please let me know some ideas that worked for you.

Thank you.

 

[princesscinderella]

There’s a popcorn one called double good that my son’s robotics team used that was tasty and profitable.

 

[barkley]

on fundraisers i'm much more apt to participate if the charity/group is getting the bulk of the money-not some company they are selling stuff for. one of the most successful i ever knew of a church to do started out as a one time thing but got so popular (and profitable) that it became a monthly event. it started out as a one time 'potluck to go'-the most popular church potluck meal was prepared by the church ladies and batched into single meal to go containers which could be picked up (and in some cases delivered) to people who signed up ahead of time. the way it got popular was one of my co-workers brought hers to work for lunch and all the rest of us went nuts over a reasonably priced meal of homemade fried chicken, fresh green beans, bbq beans and a slice of sweet potato piewe told her to let us order the next time the church did this fundraiser and her church pulled in over 100 new orders. as people in the church realized what was happening they took to telling their co-workers as well. this became the church's main fundraiser.

now i'm hungry-i miss those potluck to go meals.

 

[mrsboz]

Thank you for the info. Do you know how much these meals sold for? Did they have the same meals all the time or did they mix it up.

Seems like containers would be expensive. I wonder how I can get it to go wild like you’re talking about.

 

[barkley]

Thank you for the info. Do you know how much these meals sold for? Did they have the same meals all the time or did they mix it up.

Seems like containers would be expensive. I wonder how I can get it to go wild like you’re talking about.

i don't remember the cost but it wasn't any more (maybe a bit less) than you would pay at a diner. they got the containers either at costco or one of those restaurant supply stores. the one meal was so freaking popular i don't think they ever changed it (esp. the pie-it was to die for, they could have sold dozens and dozens during the holidays). like i said-it went wild b/c someone brought it to work for lunch-hot, we could smell it.............so maybe do it initialy on a small scale and explain to members of the church about how it could evolve into a once per month thing and maybe if co-workers wanted to pre-order (we also prepaid) that a big delivery could be done by volunteers.

 

[mrsboz]

Thank you.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Our church has done super bowl subs and sometimes switched that up to mini take and bake pizzas. The order forms are in the bulletins for a couple weeks ahead of time and then the confirmation kids make them up on a Saturday afternoon or early Sunday morning. Then the church members pick them up Sunday morning. I don't remember the cost, but that could be determined by the cost of ingredients. We are lucky as the owner of a local bar is a church member and usually donates all the ingredients for the subs or pizza.

Another ongoing fundraiser we do is a weekly cakewalk, it has raised a surprising amount of money over the years for Youth activities and other groups in our church. Every week a member of the youth (usually one going on a summer mission trip or other church trip) or one of the other groups in the church (like the women's group) will bring a cake or cookies, pie, etc... and then tickets will be sold for $1 a piece and the winning ticket gets to take the cake or whatever home. Once we even had someone bring in a meatloaf meal to be raffled off. Sometimes more than one person will bring something. Many of the church members will buy tickets to give to the little kids. We had one guy buy $20 worth of tickets every week and give them all away to others. The winning ticket is drawn and announced at the end of the service. My husband (who is the pastor) got talked to once by one of the older ladies because he was near the alter area when he announce the winners and they didn't like the gambling near the alter. So now he stands down by the first pew to announce the winner and the congregation is fine with it.

 

[MrsPete]

I’m looking for ideas for fundraisers for my church. Please let me know some ideas that worked for you.

Thank you.

I don't like working with companies that cater to kids' fundraisers -- they provide products people don't really like and keep too much of the profit.

Two things our church youth group did successfully -- I like that these take effort on the kids' part, so it's a learning experience:

- Cook lunch after Sunday service. Doesn't have to be fancy. Ask people to pay what they would've paid, had they gone to a restaurant. I saw people drop hundred dollar bills into the bin because it was for the kids.

- Yard work. Form teams of at least one adult and a couple teens. Schedule yourselves for a day public schools are out and rake leaves, prune trees, etc.

 

[barkley]

- Yard work. Form teams of at least one adult and a couple teens. Schedule yourselves for a day public schools are out and rake leaves, prune trees, etc.

a similar successful one-'2 guys and a truck'. a group i was in auctioned off 'honey-do' time that entailed groups of 2 and 4 volunteers who would do household tasks (nothing major like repairs b/c of safety and liability) for a set period of time. one of the most popular entailed those groups that had a pickup truck and would haul stuff to goodwill, the dump or recycling. the cost (if any) of the dump was on the person who used them but being able to have some muscle to clear out a garage, shed, yard waste...and get rid of it was priceless.

 

[MrsPete]

a similar successful one-'2 guys and a truck'. a group i was in auctioned off 'honey-do' time that entailed groups of 2 and 4 volunteers who would do household tasks (nothing major like repairs b/c of safety and liability) for a set period of time. one of the most popular entailed those groups that had a pickup truck and would haul stuff to goodwill, the dump or recycling. the cost (if any) of the dump was on the person who used them but being able to have some muscle to clear out a garage, shed, yard waste...and get rid of it was priceless.

That reminds me: A friend of mine, a single woman, hired her church youth group to help her move. No, they weren't looking for a fund raiser at the time, but she needed the muscle, so she offered, and they jumped at the opportunity. She felt good about giving money to the youth group, and she had people she knew /trusted in her house.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We did a Church cookbook as a fundraiser years ago. It was VERY popular.

 

[mrsboz]

These sound great. I’m hoping for more ideas also. Anyone else have any other ideas?

I’m concerned that once we buy the stuff for the meal and the containers there won’t be much profit. Is this not true?

Same with the subs. These ideas sound wonderful but how much profit did you make?

I’m not cutting down your ideas at all. I appreciate them. I am honestly inquiring if you know what your profit margin is.

 

[mrsboz]

They did a cookbook before. It’s an awesome idea. Thank you.

Please please know I’m not being critical just trying to learn from you guys.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

These sound great. I’m hoping for more ideas also. Anyone else have any other ideas?

I’m concerned that once we buy the stuff for the meal and the containers there won’t be much profit. Is this not true?

Same with the subs. These ideas sound wonderful but how much profit did you make?

I’m not cutting down your ideas at all. I appreciate them. I am honestly inquiring if you know what your profit margin is.

With the subs/mini pizza the profit was about $1500-$2000, maybe more. But like I said our church group is lucky because everything is donated by a local business so there it is pure profit for our group.

The cake walk clears between $75 to $200 a week, it depends on the week of the year. Summer is usually less because people are on vacation and whatnot. The only cost that isn't profit is buying tickets to sell for the raffle. But even if you cleared about $100 a week and ran it for a year that is about $5200.

The biggest fund raiser is our youth's silent auction during our town's Christmas festival. I think last year they cleared almost $8000. It is work for people to go and ask for donations, but people/businesses are often willing to donate something. And the youth run a soup meal with it too as people are coming in and out of the church and around town which is free will offering. That earns them a few hundred dollars more. Everything was donated for the silent auction and the kids (mom's) bring in the soup and food to sell.

You might want to lock in a fund raiser with a local event (like we do the silent auction/soup lunch). Running an event when there is something else drawing people to an area might lead to more success. Even running a meal or bake sale before or after a church concert or kids program draws more people.

If you have a committee, think about what your church members do for a living. Like we have the bar owner that donates all the food. Maybe there is someone with a restaurant that could do something similar or at least order things cheaper for you than going to a store. Think about the talents your congregation have and ask people to help and donate. People are often happy to help when asked but not often willing to help if not asked.

Oh, and be very vocal in thanking people and businesses that do donate time, talents, and goods. We have a huge sign that lists all donations at the silent auction and put it in the monthly newsletter too. The youth also send out a thank you card too.

 

[SteveH]

Church, school or non-profit whatever you do publish how the funds will be used and give people a direct option to contribute cash/check/venmo. I've become so tired items being sold, but I tell you a good cause that tells me the story I'll donate to. If your kids are going door to door teach them how the money is actually used, not just that it goes to the school. I had one young girl tell me how her schools PTO helps around the school, I didn't want any of the Worlds "Best" Chocolate, but handed her a check for the value of the box because she knew what she was raising money for.

 

[sk!mom]

Churches have to fundraise? I honestly haven't seen this outside of youth groups raising funds for a camp/trip somewhere. Churches in general? not around here that I'm aware of.

If funds are needed, couldn't you just go to the membership and ask them to cover the need. I would never donate to a random church without knowing specifically how the donation would be used. Just to keep the doors open? nope, the members should do that. To help a particular kid go to a camp or on a trip... many times.

 

[tvguy]

Churches have to fundraise? I honestly haven't seen this outside of youth groups raising funds for a camp/trip somewhere. Churches in general? not around here that I'm aware of.

If funds are needed, couldn't you just go to the membership and ask them to cover the need. I would never donate to a random church without knowing specifically how the donation would be used. Just to keep the doors open? nope, the members should do that. To help a particular kid go to a camp or on a trip... many times.

Many churches around here are smaller, and struggling financially. The memberships tend to be be older, retired on fixed income or low income individuals. And membership is declining. So fundraising efforts are common.

 

[barkley]

If your kids are going door to door

just as a heads up for any group looking to fund raise-check your local laws on kids selling stuff door to door b/c there are actual laws on the books that ARE enforced in some towns prohibiting it. i lived in one of these towns and it was largely put in place for the safety of the kids (the schools, churches and other groups found other means to raise funds).

 

[ShannyMcB]

Our cub scout troop does clean ups...leaves, yards, garages etc. Requires adult involvement and bags/Gloves but fairly low overhead. Does it snow where you live? Add driveway shoveling to the list!

 

[froggibabey]

A few things that have gone over well here are cookie walks, especially during town wide events. And there's a pie auction during a summer celebration. And normally those booths are free for non-profits.
Also, the youth group did a pie in the face fundraiser.

Only cost was a few vases, a pie crust and some cool whip. Get a few people to volunteer to get pied, and whoevers dollar tree vase has the most money in it gets pied. So.. you just.. vote with cash. Always a good fundraiser. We normally get the pastor, one of the youth, and two other adults to do it.

Another thing we're doing this year, is the youth is wrapping presents during the service. We got the congregation to donate wrapping paper and tape, we're bringing scissors in, and the older congregants are bringing boxes of presents. We we wrap, we put a small number in the corner of each present and make a list, so that people can write their own tags.

Also, we've had a talent show, where everyone comes up and does whatever. It's always hilarious, even if it's people aren't super super talented. And the youth group does a concession stand too, with everything donated. It's more of a "give what you want" for the snacks, instead of set prices, and it always works out well.

We ALSO do movie nights, where we play movies on the screens we use for church, and the youth group does, again, concessions. Always just donate what you'd like, or what you can.

Most of our things are specifically for youth group, but I don't see why they couldn't work for other things. But it's not JUST youth group, it's also all youth related activities.. so VBS, trunk or treat party, etc. And also the youth group scholarships. Which is supposedly to two youth each year, but is actually to every graduating senior, and anyone who is continuing in school each year.

And there's not that many people in the church, and it still all ends up working out.