We've had some creative fund raisers through the years, so mostly I don't mind them. I guess the worst though is the one at the beginning of the school year. It's wrapping paper, junk candles, tacky ornaments, stuff like that. I usually just give a cash donation though because I hate asking my friends to buy that stuff. I think the school gets more money with the donations too.
The ones I've really liked have been:
Soccer: Marianna subs. I think that's a local one though, but everyone loves their subs and we sell about 50. Last year, they accidentally placed 2 teams orders twice. They had something like 500 extra subs that had to be sold right away. My hubby sold about 60 or 70 of them himself by taking them to his work (he was off) and everyone wanting them for their break. He could have sold more too, but they'd sold them all by the time he got back. The community center would have had to pay that if she couldn't sell them, but they make I think $1.00 off each one, so they got an extra $500.00.
Wrestling: You're given 10 $1.00 50/50 raffle tickets to sell, then you have to bake something to sell the day of the home tournament.
Swimming: You have to go around to area businesses and ask 2 of them to sponsor the swim team. They can give $25 $50 or $100 donations and their business is displayed on banners at swim meets. The businesses don't have to give, but you do have to contact 2.
Basketball: They do the Marianna subs too, but they give you the option of just giving a donation, so that's what we always do. I'm sure we could sell lots, but soccer is enough of that.
Cheerleading: You have to go out on what's called "tag day" and go door to door begging for money. I hate this one too. You then have to sign up to work the concession stand (hate this too), and you have to pay various amounts of money at different times. You have to sell candy bars, and there is another thing they require, but I can't think of what it is right now. IMO, it's a lot!
These have been our favorites.