Fundraising Ideas

[rogerg]

G'day all,

Astro clubs, like any volunteer organisation, often want more funds to invest in various infrastructure and activities for their members than they actually have.

I wondered if people could post their ideas on how to raise funds for volunteer organisations.

I've heard of some methods which people say "never again!" - like selling chocolates and lammingtons which apparently earn very little income for the effort involved, and running a fairly floss store at a local fete which is apparently an awfully sticky and un-rewarding job!

Government grants seem to be hard to come by for a volunteer organisation who isn't involved in medical research, saving the environment, enriching indigenous communities, etc.

To be honest I don't have a lot of worthwhile ideas, hence the question. Most of my ideas draw upon the club members directly to contribute money which is less than desirable as they already pay for membership as such doing their bit. But I'd start with the few I do know of:

- Holding public viewing nights and charging entry.
- Fundraiser movie screening nights
- Raffles at club events
- Selling club merchandise to members

Please post your suggestions! :thumbsup:

Thanks,
Roger.

[seeker372011]

our club just tried a BBQ at a big store on a weekend-we made very little money for the effort !

we had heard of clubs making thousands -we didnt reach three figures after deducting expenses

got to be a better way

[Jen]

Yep a sausage sizzle is the go have them going on viewing nights :D

they are always a hit :thumbsup:
Or get everyone to donate something to put in a big hamper or something like that and sell raffle tickets

[rogerg]

Saussage sizzles at public viewing nights is a good idea :thumbsup:

I have heard from other people that running one of the sausage sizzles at the hardware stores etc makes almost no money, so will steer clear of that one.

Keep the ideas coming please people, hopefully we can all benefit from these :)

[PCH]

My wife and I were two of five on the "Organising Team" for a fundraiser a couple of years ago. We had set a target of $42k and set about thinking of ways to get it.

It quickly became clear that some things were only ever going to earn a small portion of that total. Things like sausage sizzles, selling chocs etc. We did include these as some of the people whose services we could call upon could only give a small amount of time etc.

In the end, we decided to go straight for the biggy. We renovated a house over a twelve week period, - getting tradesmens services and/or goods cheap or in many cases free.

Long story short, the whole fundraising affair was drawn out over about 4 months, - during which we made just over $5k on a quiz night (ALL prizes donated free), around $1k on chocs, $1k on a sausage sizzle, and about $45k on the renovated house !!!

Granted, Perth was in a boom market at the time, and many tradies and suppliers were happy to give to our chosen charities. All in all we raised just over $52k in the four months.

Would that help with a bit of extra gear :eyepop:

Think big - that's that way to do it.

Just my 2c

[BerrieK]

What about asking local buisnesses for donations of goods / services and having a trivia night? Usually quite successful.

[tlgerdes]

We did the sausage sizzle at the hardware shop thing and made $1500 net for our pre-school for a days work, we grossed about $2000 odd. Location and quality food is the key. We had bacon and egg rolls as well as sausage in a roll. We made $100 just from the staff on the bacon and rolls for breakfast/morning tea.

I have seen people use cheap sausages and bread and it doesn't look good or smell good.