How2Day: Great Ideas to Raise Money

When holding a bake sale isn't generating enough of a cash flow there are several other options available to raise money for your cause. Though some ideas take weeks to plan and implement, other methods can raise money instantaneously with the click of a mouse or the drop of some spare change.

Raise money for your cause by offering your services and seeking others who can do the same. Analyze your skill set and determine if any can be provided to others for a fee. Your professional abilities, be it preparing tax returns, repairing cars or fixing cabinetry, are some of the obvious skills you can use, but the skills gained from your hobbies might prove more lucrative and enjoyable. Assess other talents, such as beating certain villains in video games or doctoring pictures in photo software for other potential sources of revenue. Consider other skills including music or art lessons, car washing, energy healing work, babysitting, cooking, song writing, cleaning, accounting software lessons, graphic design and Internet content writing. Offer these services on free websites including craigslist.org or list your skills on fiverr.com. Post fliers at the grocery store, gym, bookstores and other community gatherings.

Join the ranks of musicians who have performed in subways, street corners or famous landmarks by playing a musical instrument for donations to your cause. If you do not have any musical abilities, play a simple instrument such as the triangle or tambourine and gather a group of your friends with musical talent. Or, perform a dance routine, show magic tricks or give a comedy routine. Check with your local ordinance laws to ensure you are legally allowed to perform on the street. If you are raising money for a well-known charitable cause, explain this to the audience by displaying a sign or incorporating it into the acting sketch. To assure the public regarding the cause's legitimacy, be willing to provide additional information regarding the cause by providing a website or pamphlets.

Frank Sennett suggests in his book, "FUNdraising: 50 Proven Strategies for Successful School Fundraisers" to hold stunt-based fundraisers. Establish a set goal, such as raising 1,000 dollars, and offer to shave your head, eat a grotesque food, dress up or get a tattoo if the goal is reached. Advertise the campaign through fliers or your social network site.

Hold a potluck in your community, school or group of friends and have the guests purchase meal tickets. Because the costs of the potluck are covered by everyone bringing a dish, the money received is net profit. Cakewalks, bake sales and cookie exchanges are additional ways to raise money. Or, offer a cooking session: Design a menu based on a unique theme or cuisine such as veganism or Thai food and offer the audience samples throughout the cooking demonstration. If the fundraiser is for a group that lends itself to a cuisine, incorporate that into the cooking demonstration. For instance, serve African food such as injera and misir watt if the cause is for building a school in Sudan. Or, serve Mexican food like fajitas and tamales if the fundraiser is for scholarships for first-generation Latinas.

Throw a theme party and charge admission or provide a suggested donation amount on the invitations. Collect RSVPs a week before the party to gauge how many guest are coming to assess how much you will spend on snacks, entertainment and alcohol. Find the least expensive meal items related to the theme to maximize your profit margin, such as serving pasta for a Mafia-themed party. Provide low-cost entertainment related to the party theme by showing movies and playing music from your MP3 player. Ask the head of the organization to appear in the most flamboyant, over-the-top costume to set the tone for the party.

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