Hold a sponsor the player contest.  Have each player solicit a list of people who are willing to contribute a pledge amount for games won per season.  (or goals scored if you are looking for a smaller time frame)  They will also need to take responsibility for collecting the money at the end of the season.

Have the team collectively make a banner with sposors listed to be displayed at each game.  This can consist of a homemade banner with poster board, or you can even get an inexpensive sign company to make one….and even donate the sign in exchange for free advertising!  

A creative idea to accomplish this is to have each player hold a sign with his/her own sponsors written in big block letters.  Take a team photo as well as an individual photo.  You can use the team photo on the banner, also making sure that each sponsor is also listed on the banner as well. ( it may be difficult to display the players large enough to see their sponsors) 

 Have each player use the individual image as a thank you to his/her contributors.  The can simply write “Thanks for you help” across a re-print and give to their sponsors after their pledge has been received. 

The players will obviously need parents help, but it is a good ideas to have them solicit their own sponsors for this fundraising idea.  It’s never too early to lean about responsibility and doing your part to accomplish a common goal!

HickeryRecord.com reported on an ingenious way to make money for new band uniforms. The old uniforms at St. Stephens High School are being turned into commemorative pillows. It’s the idea of the St. Stephens band boosters. The band is growing by leaps and bounds, so there aren’t enough uniforms to go around. New uniforms are expensive. Thus, the unique fundraising idea. This is a great way to preserve the band’s heritage and spread around the tradition to many people. Remember the old saying about necessity and invention. It’s alive and well at St. Stephens High.

• Ask your employer if they will host a PJ Day for a good cause.
• Charge a fee to wear PJ’s (and support your cause) on a casual Friday.  Consider a fee such as $20 per person
• Make a sign for the lobby of your office to be displayed on the chosen day.  This way any clients/customers will be aware of the fundraiser.  Make sure to have a change jar available in case anyone feels led to contribute to your cause.
• Make sure to write a thank you note to your employer on behalf of your group!

With the current economy, many people are looking to save money.  Yet, life does go on, and events still need to be organized.  Those that may have turned to a professional event planner are no longer able to go that route.  Yet, they may still need and want help in planning events.  Why not advertise you services for help in event planning such as children’s birthday parties, bridal or baby showers…or even wedding is you are feeling confident!

You can charge a certain amount per hour or a fee, depending on the event.  For instance….if a person is planning a bridal shower, they may only want you to make phone calls, send the invites, and keep track of the guest list for them. You could charge $50 to do this (or more if there are a large number of invites).  The next person may be planning a baby shower and have no idea of how to accomplish this.  You may have to do most of the planning here.  This could be $100 for your time.  Simply consider how much you think is fair for your time, and try to stick to the expected time frame. 

 You may want to think ahead of time of a list of services offered, and a fee per service.  Consider: $25 for up to 100 invitations, or $20 for pick up and delivery of cake and flowers, or $20 for outline and scheduling of events, or even $10/hour to decorate for an event.

This is an idea that is largely dependent on your creativity, motivation and available time.  Just make sure that you are clear to people that this is not a job, you are not a professional,and it is a funraiser they are supporting.  Happy planning!!

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100325/NEWS04/3250302/1010/news04

• Solicit a donation of a prize for your contest.  This can be comprised of cash from donations,  local merchandise,  gift cards or a service provided.
• Publicize what you are raising money for and what the prize will be.
• Set forth parameters…for instance, age & experience level for submissions, and WHAT photos you are judging.  Is it kids? Or Pets? Or Nature? Or Candid Facial Expressions
• Charge a submission fee.
• Gather a panel.  If possible, ask if a professional photographer would be willing to donate their time and help judge.
• Publish the winning photo in your local paper.

First, decide on a location and date.  This is a great fundraiser for the fall, when parents are scrambling to make sure kids have snow boots, snow pants, etc…   Another idea to consider is a sports themed event…just bear in mind that this could limit your participation.

Spread the word that you will be hosting this fundraising event and that you are looking for participants to sell their gently used children’s items.  Take this step seriously, as it can determine the success or failure of your event.  Spread the word, pass out fliers at parks where moms are, ask friends, etc… You will need to lay out any rules up front.  For instance, no damaged items, they will need to be there to sell their own items, etc…

Charge a certain amount for participation.  There are 2 ways to do this.  You can have one central check out where each seller writes up a ticket for the amount being purchased and the buyer pays at the check out, you tally, keep track , collect 1 payment and a percentage, then disburse.  Or, you can charge a certain amount for display space….$20 for a small booth area…..up to whatever you feel is fair depending on the amount of space allotted, your demographic & and the amount of event advertising. 

Set up areas for people to display their sale items.  Use tables, tarps, whatever you can.  Some may have clothes only, and others may have cribs, strollers, bikes, etc.  The wider the variety, the bigger the draw. Just make sure to have an idea of whats to be sold ahead of time for advertising purposes.

ADVERTISE….wherever you can.  Consider anyplace where moms & kids frequent.  Pass out flyers at parks, zoos, MOPS, church nurseries, etc…  If you have a large number of baby items, consider flyers at birthing classes and health clinics.

Use your creative instincts.  This is an ideas that can be easily adapted…and as simple as a garage sale where you collect donated items and use the profits for your group…or it can be as elaborate as a full fledged kids flea market!

Enlist the help of 5-10 volunteers who have a special soup they particularly like to make.  It would be a good idea to make sure you have a variety.  Example: Chicken & Dumplings, Chicken Tortilla, Italian Wedding, Sausage & Bean, Potato Cheese, Split Pea, etc.

Ask each person to prepare as many quarts are ordered.  You can provide them with the  ingredients, or if they are willing to donate them, that would be even better!  You can also solicit donations.  For example, ask several people to donate celery, carrots, or potatoes and divide them among the cooks.  Or take a simple change jar collection to offset the costs. You will then need to purchase good quality, liquid friendly containers!

Make up a flyer and distribute wherever you can.  Include when the soups will be made and delivered.  Make sure you use the tagline “Soups for Souls” to tie in what you are selling with why you are raising money.  Have each person call you to place orders.  Consider taking orders for a week, then let your chefs know how many orders were placed and how much you will need several days in advance.  All that’s left to do is deliver the soup, and collect the money!

This is pretty simple.  Just purchase good quality sand pails and a STURDY paint that will firmly adhere to the plastic in a variety of colors.  You can find these at your local craft store.

It would be a good idea to decorate the pail ahead of time, and just leave room for names.  For instance paint or stencil on trucks, or dinosaurs or flowers, or hearts, or dog prints… you get the picture!  Offer these for sale at group events, craft fairs, and community fesitvals for a creative fundraising idea.

Read more about their event here.