Hey girls! Looking to fundraise for the academy this year, but need some inspiration? Here are some basic fundraising ideas with a fun twist that will help you make the most out of your time:
Bake sale You could go about it the traditional way of baking cookies, brownies and cakes, or spice it up with some personality! Do you have a favorite family recipe? Are you fundraising during the holiday season? Then use these to your advantage and let your creativity shine through. Here’s a link to some bestseller bake sale items: http://www.thekitchn.com/bake-sale-bestsellers-117144
Babysit Offer a parents’ night out! Most parents would jump at the opportunity to have a night out knowing their kids are in safe hands. Explain that you’re babysitting to save up for camp and I’m sure they’ll leave you a generous tip.
Tutor Are you acing your classes or good at a particular subject? Then use your gift to teach others. Post ads at your school and in your neighborhood, set an hourly price and let the clients flow in.
“Rent a Youth” Make a flyer and post it in your neighborhood asking if anybody needs help with any gardening or reasonable odd ball jobs, such as mowing the lawn, cleaning windows or cars, raking leaves, house chores or dog walking. Set an hourly rate and be ready to get a little dirty.
Crowd-sourced fundraising Reach out to people online and spread the word about what you’re doing. These online crowdfunding websites spread the word about your plan and allow you to use different social media networks. Interested? Check out these websites:http://www.crowdrise.com, http://www.kickstarter.com/, and http://www.gofundme.com/
Also, get inspired by one of our ingenious campers who used this method to raise funds for her plane ticket from Chicago to Berlin! https://www.crowdrise.com/aimeestriptoberlingermanyA little crowd-sourced fundraising can really go a long way. If you’re looking to do something crazy or a “thon” of some sorts, check out this website: http://anython.com/
Ask for support Send letters to friends, family, teachers, and members of your community explaining why you’re reaching out to them and what you’ll get from your experience at camp. It might surprise you how much people want to support you and your cause! Remember to answer these 5 questions in your letter: who, what, when, where and why. Make sure to provide clear instructions on whom to make the donation out to and don’t forget to send thank you notes!
Get people to match your fundraising Looking for a way to double your funds? Ask people or companies to match you in fundraising. If you raise EUR 100, then your “sponsors” will also donate EUR 100. Suddenly, your amount doubles! Imagine doing this with a couple people and you’ll exceed your fundraising goal! In 2015, one of our innovative campers raised half of the tuition for another girl to attend camp and got a second donor to match her effort. What an awesome way to create a scholarship for someone else and help a sister out! http://onlinefundraisingtoday.com/2015/05/12/matching-gifts-an-underutilized-fundraising-idea-for-nonprofits/
Tis the Season Use the holidays to your advantage! Are you fundraising around Christmas or Hanukkah time? Then add some holiday flare. Offer to wrap gifts, help deliver Christmas trees, or sell some sweet treats. Spring? Then volunteer to help people with their gardens, planting bulbs, pulling weeds. Whatever the season, you can help. Summer? Have a lemonade stand or mow the lawn. Fall? Pick apples, rake leaves, and pull weeds. There’s always something to do.
Change Jar You be surprised how quickly change adds up! Get an old milk carton or jar and label it “camp fund.” Every time your parents come home, ask them to empty any spare change they have into your jar and watch it fill up. Reduce, Reuse, RECYCLE! Collect cans, bottles, and glass and get some change in return. It might only be a few cents per item, but it’ll add up over time … plus, you’ll be saving the environment!
Sell candy Order a large box of candy, put it in a lunch box, and bring it with you to school, activities and events. Sell candy for $1/ EUR 1 each. Be careful to not eat it all yourself!
HAPPY FUNDRAISING! Let us know your fundraising plans! We’d love to share your ideas with others and help you along the way.
