What are creative fundraiser ideas that you or someone you know tried?

In order to raise funds you need to interest people in the cause.

In order for us to suggest how to be creative raising funds it would help to know more about your cause as in how you wish to help and which tribal people. Why do they need your help?

A cocktail event. Get a restaurant or bar to allow you to host your fundraiser. Charge say $35, which gets the ticketholder a glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres. The facility can probably do glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres for $10 a head. You get $25 a head toward your cause.

Put up posters, placards, photos. Scatter Hershey’s kisses on the cocktail tables (in glittery colors). Have a friend make a video and show it on the screens. Ask merchants for coupons or samples and prepare goodie bags for the participants to take home.

If you know any musicians, see if you can get them to play for a reduced fee.

A silent auction is always a good choice if you can get people to donate things/services, then you get whatever the highest bidder bids on that item. Throw in a cheap catered dinner and it’s a fun night for a good cause.

if the cause you are interested in is a 501c3 (IRS qualified non-profit) then go to Make The Difference Network www.mtdn.com where the non-profit can have its own FREE cause-based catalog listing page. Check it out.

I helped to organise a wine tasting function. The crowd it attracts wouldn’t mind paying a little more for the ticket but the actual wineries are all usually very happy to participate for the exposure.

My friend also just did a really great photography auction. Once again, it’s easier to get photographers to contribute pieces and you can even have a section on the theme of your cause.