Asking people for money is kind of like flossing; it’s never fun, but to keep everybody smiling, it has to be done. Fortunately, there are lots more creative ways to raise funds (and have fun) than going door-to-door or hitting up Nana (again). Consider these ideas our donation to your summer cause.
Organize a yard sale. What could be better than this? You get rid of excess stuff and all the proceeds go to charity. Make sure to advertise this fact with signs and banners; it might encourage people to buy more or just donate a few dollars.
Throw yourself a party. There’s always something to celebrate—a birthday, an anniversary, the summer solstice…. But in lieu of gifts, ask your guests to make a monetary donation to your cause. In fact, if you or someone you know is getting married soon, JustGive.org will list a charity as part of your registry.
Be an army of one. Ever peek in the Salvation Army kettle at Christmas? There are wads of cash in there. Employ the same strategy in your effort by asking the local supermarket manager if you can solicit outside his store. Now here’s the trick: Ask people as they’re leaving, not as they’re entering. Veteran bell ringers have found people are more likely to give when they aren’t rushing to get their shopping done.
Raffle something off. Even if the cause is terrific, people are more apt to support it if they might win something. So put up an item of value that you own, or ask a local business to donate something (limo ride, massage, gym membership…). The proceeds go to charity, and the winner takes all.
Start a Facebook page. This popular social network has a Causes app that allows you to support any North American–registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Friends can donate via credit card, and your fund-raising progress is automatically tallied and reported. Browse what others have done on their pages, then build your own. It’s easy, fun, and effective. Get started at apps.facebook.com/causes/about.
Ask the experts. There are lots of intriguing new ways to recruit donors through tweeting, text messaging, and using dedicated fund-raising websites. But learning the nuances of each can easily exhaust your spare time. If you’re raising money for an organized charity, ask the experts there for support. They’ll be able to advise you on the best alternatives. In fact, many charities now provide personalized web pages for their individual fund-raisers. You simply customize the page as you see fit and e-mail the link to friends and family. They’ll see the progress you’ve made toward your goal and, most important, be able to instantly contribute via credit, debit, or PayPal.
Dress Up a Plain Suit
