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Get Creative With Unique Fundraising Ideas

By: Garry Crystal - Updated: 11 May 2018 | comments*Discuss
 
Unique Fundraising Ideas Fundraisers

Fundraisers have always tried to come up with unique ways to raise funds. Anything that is slightly out of the norm will attract interest from the public. This is why you often see sponsored runners in fancy dress outfits; they attract more attention. Unique ideas give a little twist to the run of the mill fundraisers and can also attract attention from the media. These distinctive ideas may take a little more time to create but the effort, and funds raised, may well be worth it. Unique fundraising ideas can be implemented within a larger event or as stand alone fundraiser for individuals.

Brainstorming to Create Unique Fundraising Ideas

Fundraisers should take the time to come up with ‘out of the box’ ideas. If the event is to be run by an organisation then brainstorming sessions can be helpful. Fundraisers can be given time limits to come up with different ideas that can then be presented at a committee meeting. The fundamental thinking behind unique fundraisers is to try to draw people in; make the idea something they would love to see. For company fundraisers this could take the form of placing an employer in stocks and charging to throw wet sponges at him or her. These types of ideas are excellent when used within a bigger fundraising event.

Remember the Fundraising Target Audience

Fundraisers should take the time to research the audience of the charity they are raising funds for. The target audience can make a difference to the fundraising ideas. Certain charities will attract different audiences; such as breast cancer awareness attracting more women than men. Keep in mind the target audience when thinking about fundraising ideas. For example, men in particular are more attracted to extreme sports, although plenty of women do get involved in these sports. Age will also make a difference, and extreme sports ideas will not generally appeal to an older target audience.

Using Unique Fundraising Ideas to Attract Sponsors

When creating unique fundraising ideas consider if these ideas will actually be workable, and will they spark the sponsor’s imagination. People are usually willing to pay to see people challenge or embarrass themselves. This is why fundraisers who shave their hair for charity or walk from one end of the country to the other are so popular. These sorts of challenging fundraising activities will always be of interest to the public and the press. Unique, challenging activities are always inspirational and are guaranteed to ignite the public’s desire to give.

Get Children Involved With Fundraising Ideas

Fundraisers who are finding it difficult to come up with unique ideas can easily find inspiration simply by asking children. Children do have a way of coming up with fun and unique ideas for activities that many adults would not even consider. This is also a good way of getting children involved in charity events from an early age. Local schools can be involved and can run competitions with the best children’s fundraising idea winning a prize. Children’s clubs such as Scouts, Guides and children’s community centres can all become involved in the fundraising event.

Examples of Some Unique Fundraising Ideas

Unique fundraising ideas do not have to completely original; they simply have to be activities that are outside of the norm. Some examples of unique fundraising activities can include:

  • Fancy dress car washes
  • Singles auctions; where single people bid on a date for the evening, sometimes known as bachelor auctions
  • Dance-a-thon competitions with prizes for the remaining couples
  • Hold a themed party with tombolas, auctions and competitions
  • Treasure hunt competitions
  • Face painting for adults
  • Karaoke nights with prizes for the worst singer
  • Auctioning off a local celebrity for a dinner evening
  • Come to work in pyjamas or fancy dress for the day
One of the major bonuses with unique fundraising ideas is the fun that they bring to an event. This is the reason why you will always see crowds around a fundraiser who has decide to shave their head for charity at an event. Unique ideas do not have to be ground-breaking they simply have to inspire people and get them talking about the fundraiser. Once this happens, word of mouth will quickly spread and a successful fundraising event should be the result.

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