How to Start a Fundraiser
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How to Host a DIY Fundraiser with Great Ideas for You!
We’ve made fundraising for Michael House fun and easy with 8 steps. Follow the tools provided to learn about the ins and outs of the process. Have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at office@michaelhouse.ca
Has your workplace, school, church, or community organization raised funds for a non-profit organization? Then you may have seen a DIY fundraiser in action and how it’s done.
DIY fundraising consists of individuals or groups raising funds on behalf of a non-profit organization like Michael House. DIY fundraisers give organizers the freedom to create a fundraiser on their own terms, including the goal, the time frame, and the fundraising style.
Are you looking to create a DIY fundraiser to support Michael House? We have a few ideas to help you get started.
3 DIY Fundraising Ideas for Families and Friends
Bake Sale
Do you have a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe that is out of this world? Now’s the time to show it off! Ask family and friends to create tasty treats for your bake sale and sell them in support of Michael House.
Used Book Sale
Do you have books that your children have outgrown or that they are no longer interested in? We bet your family and friends do too! Come together to give used books a new life by selling them with funds going to a great cause like Michael House.
Trivia Night
Trivia nights are a great way to get the community together in support of a great cause and non-profit. Organize an event where you ask questions about popular tv shows, movies, books or pop culture, and charge admission that is donated to Michael House.
3 DIY Fundraising Ideas for Schools
Read-A-Thon
This is a great activity for schools! Kids ask their parents, friends, and family to sponsor their efforts in a read-a-thon. The children collect donations for however many pages or minutes they read.
Class Cookbook
Ask every child in class to bring in their favourite family recipe to compile in a cookbook. Once printed, sell to the school community at large, all for a good cause.
Field Day
Remember the classic games of tug-o-war, three-legged race, and egg and spoon race? At field day, students organize activities and invite family and friends to attend. Participants are charged admission to have some good old-fashioned fun, with earnings going to Michael House.
3 DIY Fundraising Ideas for Workplaces
Mini-Putt Tournament
Mini-Putt Tournaments are perfect for workplaces and have raised countless dollars for charities! Select a date and location and encourage staff to create teams and sign up. You can even sweeten the pot by offering incentives like a hole-in-one prize or perks for the top golfer.
Bowl-A-Thon
Organize a fun day out for your colleagues by putting together a bowl-a-thon! Coordinate with a local bowling alley and invite team members to solicit donations from friends and family to participate. This is a fun way to get coworkers to have some fun, while raising money for your cause.
Embarrass the Boss
Who wouldn’t relish the chance to plunge the CEO into a dunk tank, throw a pie in your supervisor’s face or shave your district manager's head, all for the good cause? Once permission is acquired from HR and the executive team, coordinate the opportunity for colleagues to compete to raise the most funds for Michael House. Whoever does get the chance to carry out the embarrassing act!
3 DIY Fundraising Ideas for Individuals and Church Communities
Themed Fundraising Party
Looking to host a party for a good cause? Ask your friends to attend your next party in a themed costume. Charge a few dollars at the door; people who are dressed up pay a smaller fee than people who forgot their costumes. If you’re looking to make it a larger event, share on social media and have as many people attend as possible, with all proceeds going towards your charitable cause.
Sponsored Physical Activity
Turn your favourite way to get fit into a fundraiser! Whether you are an avid cyclist, runner, swimmer, or rock climber, set a goal, and raise fund as you train for your big day. Run 5 KM, bike 20 KM, swim 50 laps, or climb the highest mountain in the world (or in Ontario, the highest hill), all for a great cause.
Virtual 24-Hour Giving Day
Host a virtual 24-hour giving day by asking your supporters to donate to you within a 24-hour period. Like Giving Tuesday, a giving day creates a sense of urgency and community in your donors. An online giving day requires a lot of online promotion to reach as many supporters as possible. Share the details through social media, email, web, or text messages.
Yes, I want to host an event in support of Michael House!
By hosting a DIY fundraiser, you are raising funds to help Michael House provide shelter, safety and love to women and their children in our communities in Guelph, Ontario. Thank you!