I'm in desperate need of fundraising ideas - DESPERATE!!

[Giselle]

Help people train their dogs. Hey, that is a thought. You are very good at it.
But other than that, I was thinking bake sale or car wash also. Sorry, no good ideas in my head.

I wish!! LOL I'm actually trying to fit that in somewhere. I'm thinking about a little event we can do in conjunction with a shelter/rescue. It seemed to have worked well with another group of students, and it sounds very fun with minimal organization and minimal monetary investment. It's pretty darn unique, too. I'll let you all know how it works out.

Thanks for the tips folks. We are, however, trying to maximize profits as much as possible. Things like bake sales and candy sales were brought up at the meeting, but we realize (from experience) that the payoff is pretty low when you consider the amount of money and labor you have to put in AND when you consider that the profit will have to be split up between all 10 of us.

I do like the conservation talks and having a collection jar. I bet we could expand on that, too...Maybe throw in a raffle there...We have been tossing the idea of giving folks a 20% discount coupon off their meal at a certain restaurant. The restaurant would then give us a portion of their profits. It seems like a pretty viable option and one that has proven successful in the past.

[Marigold2]

Sounds like a great idea. How about car wash? Our church raised a lot of money that way for the kids to go to Germany years ago.

[Giselle]

Do you remember how much the soap and supplies cost? Also, who supplied the water?

Profits are what matter most with these labor-intensive fundraisers. I'm more than happy to stick out 8-10 hours of labor for each event, but it needs to have a decent payoff (i.e. at least $100 per kid or at least $1000/day). Yeah. It's a toughie!

[Karen]

Do you remember how much the soap and supplies cost? Also, who supplied the water?

Profits are what matter most with these labor-intensive fundraisers. I'm more than happy to stick out 8-10 hours of labor for each event, but it needs to have a decent payoff (i.e. at least $100 per kid or at least $1000/day). Yeah. It's a toughie!

We just ran a hose out from our church building, or school - but water isn't the cost issue here that it is in California, so they never told us how much it cost. as for supplies, everyone who had one brought a bucket from home, so just the cost of soap, a bottle of windex or two (we brought from home, but ...) and some sponges and rags. And the sponges and buckets can be used over and over ...

[carole]

Did anyone mention a car boot sale or garage sale, get together everyone's stuff they don't want, remember what is someone else's trash is someone else's treasure, good luck, what an exciting time ahead for you.

[Freedom]

WOW, what a fantastic opportunity!!!

Not ideas on the fund raising, at least none which haven't already been posted. This is such a great thing for you, I can't hardly believe it! You WILL get the funds you need.

[Catty1]

Here's an idea that worked wonders for a fundraising in my town.

Let's say you want to raise $1500.00.

You need 150,000 pennies.

This is a great idea for collection cans at bake sales or any other community events. Just pennies....in these economic times, pennies are easier to give, and to receive.

Do you know anyone who has a table at a community market or a flea market that would share space with you for a few times? Great place to have a penny can.

Just publicize the idea of 150,000 pennies, and draw one of those "thermometer" things that show increments of amounts, with the total at the top.