9 Outdoor Fundraising Ideas: Do Good While the Weather’s Good
Now that good weather is here, why not use this opportunity to do some good in the ‘hood? Here are nine outdoor fundraising ideas to get you started.
If you have a cause or charity that you’d like to support and are looking for some outdoor fundraising ideas, we’ve got good news for you: Serenia Life helps members with their fundraising through our Action Team benefit.
How? By providing $150 in seed money – plus a post-event $100 donation to their cause. That’s a total value of $250!
Wait, what exactly is seed money?
Raising money can sometimes cost money. That’s why we provide our members with funds to help get their fundraiser off the ground. With a little bit of leadership and a lot of community collaboration, the seed money we provide can snowball into something much bigger.
The way we see it, our members ”plant” their seed money and watch it grow by raising community engagement – and a lot more funds – towards a cause they care about. It’s a powerful and inspiring thing!
Summer’s Here! 9 Outdoor Fundraising Ideas
To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of 9 outdoor fundraising ideas that could be the start of a summer tradition in your community.
1. Organize a food and cash drive
How does it work?
Food banks are always in need of food and financial donations. Choose a date, and organize a community food drive in your area with a drop-off location in a nearby park for contributors to bring dried goods and cash. From supplying locals with dietary staples to providing funds that can be used for programs that help end the cycle of poverty, the food and funds you raise will most definitely make an impact.
How will the seed money help?
Consider using the seed money to create signs advertising your food drive and to purchase prizes for top fundraisers. Prizes are a great motivator when it comes to asking for donations.
2. Hold a street sale with friends and neighbours
How does it work?
Declutter your living space and organize a street sale in your neighbourhood with all proceeds going to a local charity. Remember, your trash is someone else’s treasure! Funds you raise can be used to purchase needed items for your charity of choice, or can be donated directly to that charity. Feel better knowing you’re doing something to help.
How will the seed money help?
Seed money can be used to purchase coffee, milk, cream, or other beverages or snacks that may help draw a crowd to your event. If you want to attract families, consider offering face painting, temporary tattoos, or freezies. The kids will have a hard time resisting and parents will love doing something fun and wholesome.
3. Got talent? Perform it, teach it, or sell it for a cause
How does it work?
Whether you or a friend are an aspiring musician, fitness buff, or amateur artist, there are so many creative ways you can use your talents to raise funds! Musicians can host a community concert in their backyard, fitness gurus can organize a yoga or Zumba class in the park, and artists can sell their goods at a community yard sale. Tickets and art can be sold via donation. To raise cash even more quickly, have a ”50-50 raffle” with 50% of the cash being awarded as a prize.
How will the seed money help?
The seed money can be used to make posters to put up in your community, or to advertise locally on Facebook. If you can get 20-30 people together for your event, you can potentially raise several thousand dollars.
4. Organize a birthday BBQ and choose the gift of giving
How does it work?
No matter your age, you can host a birthday BBQ and ask guests to gift you a brand new kid’s toy or art kit. Have fun revealing the toys at the gathering, and then pack them up and donate them to sick children at your local hospital or hospice. It’s a fun way to revisit your childhood while helping children who are experiencing hardship. If there are young children in your family, ask them if they would be willing to donate some of their birthday toys.
How will the seed money help?
Consider using the seed money to purchase a delicacy or indulgent dessert, or a drink for all to share. Or send your guests home with a grown-up ”loot bag” containing a gift card or a gourmet goodies.
5. Participate in an annual run, walk, or bike for charity
How does it work?
Walking, running, or biking for a cause can be a powerful experience, knowing that thousands are walking at the same time with the common goal of giving. Is there an organization that has helped you or a loved one through a hard time? If so, pay it forward by selecting this organization as your registered charity when you sign up for the marathon. Better yet, form an Action Team and invite family, friends, and colleagues to join you.
How will the seed money help?
Consider using the seed money to customize an arm band, water bottle, or coffee mug advertising your team’s name and sell it to your personal and professional circles to raise additional funds.
6. Kickstart a community clean-up day
How does it work?
Get together with neighbours and friends to clean up remnants and waste that trickle in from the urban life that surrounds our greenspaces — whether a local park or playground, a watering hole, or a conservation area. Have your clean-up crew donate to participate, or if they are unable to make, ask for their support via a financial donation to your Action Team. Learn to be better stewards of the land while benefitting from the positive effects that come with spending time in nature.
How will the seed money help?
Keep your fellow volunteers hydrated and nourished by using your seed money to provide water and nutritional snacks. (Encourage everyone to bring a refillable water bottle.) Perhaps you can reward the person who collects the most waste with a gift certificate to an eco-conscious store or restaurant.
7. Host a car wash, bike wash, or dog wash!
How does it work?
Choose a hot summer day, gather some friends to volunteer with you, then get out there and get wet! If you’re a vehicle lover, you’ll certainly appreciate the shining after shot when you’re all done. And if you’ve got a soft spot for dogs (plus experience giving them baths), a dog wash could be a super fun way to collect donations for a cause both you and your community care about. Don’t forget to post about the event in your neighbourhood and communal spaces, like your local café, library, and Facebook group!
How will the seed money help?
Consider using the seed money to buy drinks to keep customers hydrated and happy as they wait, as well as some doggie treats for your (new) furry friends. You could also buy a raffle prize and encourage visitors to pay a few dollars more to be entered into a draw for a chance to win.
8. Donate for a dare
How does it work?
Think Ice Bucket Challenge circa summer of 2014. People love challenging their friends and family members to do silly things… and catching it on camera or video. Whether you dare them to run through the sprinkler in their business attire, drink coffee-flavoured lemonade, or walk around the neighbourhood in their bathing suit, just be sure to make it summer-themed and fun! For shier participants, consider giving them the option to “buy” their way out of the dare by donating a certain amount towards the fundraiser.
How will the seed money help?
Get people excited to take part by purchasing small participation prizes for all, and a grand prize for the person who gives it their all.
9. Challenge the children in your life to fundraise in the nostalgic ways of your childhood
How does it work?
Cultivate thoughtfulness and generosity in your kids by having them do something kind for others. Encourage them to start a fundraising initiative like an old-fashioned lemonade stand, cookie sale, book sale, or even have them sell their original artistic masterpieces. Don’t forget to take pictures! All funds can be used to support a charity of their choice.
How will the seed money help?
Have your kids use some of the seed money to buy supplies for their hand-made attention-grabbing signs or to buy a small gift to provide as a bonus for each item they sell. For instance, young customers can be given a Pokémon card as a thank you gift.
Feeling inspired to get outdoors and do some good? Great! Don’t forget to use your seed money – an awesome benefit for generous Serenia Life members like you. Take action with the Action Team benefit today!
Always check local by-laws before using a public space to host an event.
