Fundraising Ideas: A-Z
There are tons of creative and easy ways for you and your chapter to raise money. In fact, we’ve got ideas for every letter of the alphabet to help you reach your goals!
A
Hold an art sale at your office, neighborhood, or a local fair or festival, and ask friends and coworkers who make jewelry, take photographs, or paint/draw to donate their works to raise money for Young People in Recovery.
Did you know the number one reason people say they don’t give to a charitable organization is because no one ever asked? Be sure to ask friends, neighbors, relatives, and anyone you know to support you. Carry information about YPR wherever you go so you can talk to people about your efforts and ask for donations.
Hold silent or live auctions to raise money. Creative ideas include auctioning off a prime parking space at work, a half or whole day off, a picnic lunch, desserts, homemade dinners, local artwork, or gift certificates to restaurants.
B
Hold a weekly bake sale, so fellow training buddies, friends, or coworkers have treats for the weekend. Ask for items to be attractively wrapped as gifts.
Encourage friends and family to ask for donations to Young People in Recovery instead of birthday gifts.
Organize a block party on your street or a nearby parking lot (with permission). Ask a band or DJ to donate their services and a local restaurant to provide food. Encourage everyone to donate to YPR and hold a raffle to raise extra cash.
Dust off those bookshelves and sell used books to support your efforts.
People can bid to be boss for a day, with the highest bidder winning.
Host a bowling event where participants ask for pledges for every pin they knock down.
Host a breakfast with a local celebrity, like a news anchor, athlete, or city official. Work with a local restaurant or venue to sell tickets.
Encourage coworkers to bring lunch one day and donate what they would have spent to YPR.
C
Sell candy bars at work or school, or ask a local business to set up a display box. Wholesale warehouses like Sam’s Club offer box kits, or ask a candy store for donations.
Classic fundraisers like a neighborhood car wash can be fun and effective. Consider saying “donations accepted” instead of charging a set price.
Place change jars in high-traffic areas like local businesses and restaurants. Small donations add up fast!
Ask a local comedy club to host an evening in support of YPR.
Set up a stand at a community event or race.
Collect alcohol-free recipes and create a cookbook to sell for fundraising.
D
Hold a themed dinner, securing a donated location, food, and entertainment. Charge a ticket fee for donations.
Walk neighborhood dogs for a donation. Many pet owners would appreciate the help.
Ask employees to donate for the chance to “dress down” for a day.
E
Email everyone you know asking for donations.
Run errands for neighbors and friends in exchange for donations.
F
Use social media to spread the word. Share your progress and celebrate hitting your goals.
G
Host a board game night where everyone donates to attend.
Clean out the house and hold a garage sale. Ask friends and family to donate items to sell.
H
Shovel snow, rake leaves, or mow lawns in exchange for donations.
Host holiday parties, from Cinco de Mayo or Halloween to Hanukkah, and encourage guests to donate.
I
Set up an old-fashioned ice cream social. Decorate like an ice cream parlor and charge for treats and song requests.
J
Host a dance party, charging admission and asking for refreshment donations.
K
Go door-to-door in your neighborhood asking for support. Bring YPR brochures to spread awareness.
L
Offer to mow someone else’s lawn for a donation while you’re already mowing your own.
Set up a collection jar at work and ask coworkers to drop in the cost of their coffee for a week.
Ask the CEO or a popular boss to auction off lunch for donations.
M
Many employers match charitable gifts. Remind donors to check with HR to double their donations.
Host a movie night with popcorn and drinks, charging admission.
n
Offer personalized keychains, bracelets, and more in exchange for donations.
O
Host a fall festival with activities like a dance, pumpkin carving, and apple bobbing. Charge admission and sell items.
Offer to do odd jobs for neighbors, like errands or waiting at the DMV.
P
Host a pancake breakfast, and add a pancake eating contest for extra donations.
Ask a business to donate a percentage of a day’s sales.
Host a photo guessing contest with baby photos, charging for each guess.
Host weekly potluck lunches at work, with coworkers contributing food for donations.
q
Sell quilt squares to honor those who have battled addiction, then display the quilt in a public space.
R
Partner with a restaurant to donate a portion of their sales for a day.
Offer to cook a romantic dinner for two or sell homemade Valentine’s cards.
S
Shave your head or wear something silly once you hit a donation target.
Shine shoes for a fee or offer to take shoes to a shoemaker.
T
Host a children’s tea party with a fee per guest.
U
Sell or auction unique items at a silent or live auction, with a fashion show if possible.
V
Offer to park coworkers’ cars for a tip that goes toward your fundraiser.
Sell used DVDs, video games, or gaming consoles.
W
Sell water for a dollar at local events, races, or sports games.
Offer spring cleaning for neighbors in exchange for donations.
X
Email 10 friends asking for $10 each.
Work with a local gym to organize a Spin-a-thon or Zumba event.
Y
Hold a big yard sale with neighbors, asking them to donate their proceeds to YPR.