need fundraiser ideas

[mommytoe]

My daughter needs to raise money for http://nyc2015.com/

Originally the youth group at church was going to do fundraising as a group to send my daughter and another girl to nyc2015, but now it seems the girls are going to need to raise the money themselves.

The church bulletin had a flyer about the other girl asking for donations and a bake sale she is having at church. The flyer never mentioned my daughter and originally the bake sale was for both of them.

So, I need to help my daughter come up with fundraiser ideas to raise the money. First $500 needs to be turned in December 1st. Rest of the money will be paid later. Total to be paid is $1500.

Just to be clear I already told her she is not allowed to just ask for the money from people. It drives me nuts when family/friends ask me for money so their children can go on these trips.

 

[havaneselover]

Can she do something like offer to rake leaves for $10/hour. Hopefully people would tip her generously.

Also, maybe she could have her own bake sale. But honestly it's time consuming and expensive to bake everything. We do a bake sale every year for girl scouts and sell loaf cakes for $8 and 2 cookies for $0.50. So it probably costs me $10 (not including my time) to make something they sell for $20. But they do sell a lot of baked goods.

My kids have to fundraise for everything. Strings and gym, baseball, swimming. Baseball and swimming have required minimums ($100 and $450). I'm not comfortable soliciting others so it generally comes out of my pocket.

ETA: Is she old enough to babysit? We're getting into the holiday season and a babysitter will be in high demand.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I don't know about elsewhere but my daughter's school has always found read-a-thons to be great for fundraisers. One school in our area raised over $10,000 with one this year.

 

[MomToOne]

The church bulletin had a flyer about the other girl asking for donations and a bake sale she is having at church. The flyer never mentioned my daughter and originally the bake sale was for both of them.

OK - this hits me as really odd. How did your daughter get dropped from the bake sale, and not mentioned in the flyer? Is the church not aware your daughter is still going? Was it just a problem with the bulletin people not being made aware? It sounds to me like the other girl isn't being a very nice about it, but I could just be jumping to conclusions.

As far as raising money goes, could family and friends jump in to help with a car wash? I always stop at those - I appreciate the fact that the kids are willing to really work for the money, not just try and sell me something overpriced so they can take a cut. Although I will admit, as far as selling things goes, simple fundraising candy bars for $1 get my money every now and then - especially at about 3pm at work

 

[karliebug]

When we had to raise money we made fleece scarves. They were quick and easy to make and sold fast. You take 3 pieces of fleece and sew a seam straight down the middle. Then you make one inch cuts on the sides up to that seam being careful not to cross it. You can make them in high school and college colors and they make great gifts. If you got permission to sell them at local college or high school games you could sell a lot.

 

[nugov2]

What a split the pot football square pool? They do this at my dh's work all the time for the kids of his coworkers(though we have never done it) who are trying to raise money to go to DC or on a travel league trip. They usually do 100 squares at $10 a square. First quarter winner gets 50, 2nd=75 3= 125 4= 250 Nobody wants to buy things anymore and this way your are giving, but still have a chance to win too. The kid keeps $500. Most of the guys would buy squares for games anyway. I'd still have them earn money through doing work or through candy bar sales, but that is a lot of money to raise on that alone.

 

[dimimi]

I think it is awful that the other girl did not include your daughter in the bake sale fundraiser. I would think it would be easy to ask friends/other church members to bake something to sell.

But when my kids go to these events I just pay for them. I looked at the link, is the event helping your church? If so, you could add that to your efforts? What will your daughter bring back to help your church?

I know a women I work with went to Mexico to help people learn English and the church paid it because it helped a lot of people.

 

[sunshine1178]

What a split the pot football square pool? They do this at my dh's work all the time for the kids of his coworkers(though we have never done it) who are trying to raise money to go to DC or on a travel league trip. They usually do 100 squares at $10 a square. First quarter winner gets 50, 2nd=75 3= 125 4= 250 Nobody wants to buy things anymore and this way your are giving, but still have a chance to win too. The kid keeps $500. Most of the guys would buy squares for games anyway. I'd still have them earn money through doing work or through candy bar sales, but that is a lot of money to raise on that alone.

That might fall into a gray area of gambling. Local authorities could shut it down or claim a cut. I'm not familiar with nyc2015, but if it is an annual event, maybe they have a financial person who can share how past participants have achieved the necessary funding.

 

[danygirl]

Used book sale
Collect from neighbors friends school
See if you can do the sale after church
Donate the left overs
Everyone wins

 

[nugov2]

That might fall into a gray area of gambling. Local authorities could shut it down or claim a cut. I'm not familiar with nyc2015, but if it is an annual event, maybe they have a financial person who can share how past participants have achieved the necessary funding.

Maybe, I have no idea how it works. I'd imagine that someone would have to report you to the police and I cannot imagine doing that to a co worker unless they were doing it weekly and you suspected them of pocketing the cash. It probably wouldn't work in all office environments either. My dh works in an office of 500 people, mostly male. None of them want to buy cookie dough, wrapping paper or any other junk kids sell. Candy bars do go fast and the squares are always popular, my dh buys squares all the time. People want to help and many would rather donate(buy a square) rather than buy stuff.

 

[LJSquishy]

Okay, my suggestions may be really strange but how about...

Selling handmade Thanksgiving & Christmas cards at church? Nothing crazy fancy, just card stock with her original artwork on them. All she would need to do is draw on the front and could leave the inside blank or write a generic holiday greeting inside.

Make those layered ingredient jars so someone can bake a dozen cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodles, etc). If you can't get jars free or cheap on Craigslist or somewhere, you can pour the ingredients into a cone-shaped clear bag (I think they sell things like that at Michael's or other craft stores).

Sell clear glass ball ornaments stuffed with decorations inside like glitter, feathers, etc...you can Google ideas that wouldn't cost much.

Buy ceramic mugs for $1 or so and stuff them with a packet of hot cocoa, apple cider, or tea bags.

 

[SEA333]

My daughter needs to raise money for http://nyc2015.com/

Originally the youth group at church was going to do fundraising as a group to send my daughter and another girl to nyc2015, but now it seems the girls are going to need to raise the money themselves.

The church bulletin had a flyer about the other girl asking for donations and a bake sale she is having at church. The flyer never mentioned my daughter and originally the bake sale was for both of them.

So, I need to help my daughter come up with fundraiser ideas to raise the money. First $500 needs to be turned in December 1st. Rest of the money will be paid later. Total to be paid is $1500.

Just to be clear I already told her she is not allowed to just ask for the money from people. It drives me nuts when family/friends ask me for money so their children can go on these trips.

No advice here...other than look no further than your own bank account!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Can your daughter partner with a few of the other kids to do something? It might be easier to raise funds if you can pool your efforts. A few suggestions:

1. Talk with a local restaurant about an sponsoring an evening where you get a percentage of the sales for people who bring in a flyer. The kids do the advertising by handing out flyers, and all the patron does is go eat there on that night. Great at pizza joints etc.

2. Sell coupon books / coupon calendars.

3. Sell wrapping paper / magazines. My cousin does this basically through email and there is a link to a site where you can order it.

 

[Maddie2]

* Garage/rummage sale - congregation members are usually happy to donate items and maybe you could get a few people to help with the sale? Have it at home or have it at the church - depending on your church's policy.

* Could your daughter/family/friends have a concession stand at a local sporting event?

* Spaghetti dinner or pancake brunch immediately following worship service.

This seems like a huge amount of money for her to fundraise all by herself. I have kids involved in a youth group of around 20, and thankfully, they do it together. We still have a lot of money to raise, but group projects help.

Is there any way to reduce the cost of the trip? Maybe a part-time job would be better than selling stuff?

 

[barkley]

op-do a google search on the event and go to the leadership handbook link. the deadlines and total costs you are being quoted are not in line with their published materials (initial deposit for ENTIRE group (due before individual deposits are due) as well as the maximum all inclusive costs are much lower).

 

[McKelly]

$1500.00 is a lot of money for one person to raise at a bake sale! Even is she sells things from a company, that would probably at LEAST be selling $3000.00 because the fundraisers only give 50%, and that's even being generous. fI don't know if they would even allow fundraising for one person.....usually it's for groups! Good Luck! Too bad she didn't know sooner!

I agree with Maddie2, either a garage sale or a part-time job.

 

[supersnoop]

I don't know if they would even allow fundraising for one person.....usually it's for groups! Good Luck! Too bad she didn't know sooner!

Fundraising for one person would not be tax deductible. That's what usually gets people in trouble. Even if the event is charitable, donating to an individual is not. You can still fundraise, but you need to be clear that it is not tax deductible, or you need to pay taxes on the proceeds.

 

[mjkacmom]

No advice here...other than look no further than your own bank account!

Yep! Kids are going on trips left and right these days - and no one wants to buy stuff to fund them. My teens have choir trips every year that range from $300 - $1500, depending on the destination. My dancers have 2 - 3 big competitions a year, and one is overseas.

No wonder why we can't take yearly vacations! Ds11's club soccer team is putting together a team to play at WDW - no thanks!

 

[scrapquitler]

My daughter needs to raise money for http://nyc2015.com/

Originally the youth group at church was going to do fundraising as a group to send my daughter and another girl to nyc2015, but now it seems the girls are going to need to raise the money themselves.

The church bulletin had a flyer about the other girl asking for donations and a bake sale she is having at church. The flyer never mentioned my daughter and originally the bake sale was for both of them.

So, I need to help my daughter come up with fundraiser ideas to raise the money. First $500 needs to be turned in December 1st. Rest of the money will be paid later. Total to be paid is $1500.

Just to be clear I already told her she is not allowed to just ask for the money from people. It drives me nuts when family/friends ask me for money so their children can go on these trips.

I would have my daughter work to earn the money to pay for the trip. She's old enough to just get a job and use the money she makes from the job to pay for the trip.

Other options: dog walking, raking leaves, shoveling show, babysitting, pet sitting, doing odd jobs for neighbors. if cans/bottles have a cash deposit have her ask everyone in the neighborhood and family to save them for her, then she can collect them and take them to the store to redeem them (I did this for a Girl Scout trip in 8th grade, I completely paid for my portion of the trip that way).

It's early in the year, maybe she can ask people to give her cash for her birthday, holidays, etc. instead of gifts and use that to help pay for the trip.

On top of that, if my child were interested in going on a worthwhile program like this, I would encourage her to do the above, plus any ideas she can think up to raise the money, and I would match what she earned.

 

[kirstenb1]

In addition to all the above, if your family would be okay with it, let Grandma/Grandpa, aunts/uncles etc know that a donation would make a great Christmas present. I know there's a certain risk there, but you know your family better than we do.