If you support a nonprofit by hosting your own fundraiser, congratulations, you’re already so amazing! And if you’re considering hosting one for the first time, don’t worry, you’re amazing, too! Whichever you are, here’s a list of nine effective nonprofit fundraising ideas.
These suggestions and recommendations will help you generate excitement for your fundraiser. We recommend choosing one you’re enthusiastic about. Fundraising should be fun and impactful! Every dollar your raise for Feeding Westchester can provide three meals for one of your neighbors here in Westchester County.
1. Challenge your neighbors
Who doesn’t love a friendly competition? Create a fundraising team to have your network of friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors all “compete” to see who can raise the most money for our neighbors in need.
2. Showcase your talent, and raise money doing so
Do you craft? Bake? Cook? Sew? Garden? Paint? Make jewelry? Write? Any talent can be turned into a way to raise money, and it’s a great way to get people’s attention.
3. Host a garage sale
Those extra clothes, shoes, kitchen supplies that you’d like to sell? Host your garage sale and have the proceeds — or a portion of them — go to Feeding Westchester.
4. Host a virtual get together
Hosting a virtual happy hour, trivia night, scavenger hunt, or another way to connect online are all easy ways to get everyone together (no matter where you are!) and raise money through ticket sales.
5. Host an in-person event
Are you having a party or event? Encourage your guest to donate at the door, or offer a signature cocktail where the proceeds benefit our neighbors in need. 5K Walk or Runs are another great way to get your network together while fundraising.
6. In lieu of gifts
Consider asking friends, family, and colleagues to make donations to Feeding Westchester instead of giving gifts at your upcoming event, such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary, bar/bat mitzvah, confirmation, or other charitable cultural observance.
7. BYOLunch Challenge
Challenge everyone at your job or school to go a week or month with only packed lunches — no take-out, ordering in, or fast food. Instead, encourage them to donate what they would have spent on lunch to Feeding Westchester.
8. Coffee Challenge
Similar to the BYOLunch Challenge, encourage your friends and family to go a week or month without purchasing coffee from their local coffee shop and instead donate what they would have spent to help alleviate hunger in Westchester.
9. Office Theme Fridays
Introduce a special perk at the office that’s only unlocked by donating. For example, everyone can wear jeans on Fridays, as long as they give at least $10.
