OK peeps, I need your help. I am embarking on my next adventure on my Daisy List and it’s a big one. Such is the scale of this task, I am joining forces with 3 others (my cousin Katie, her partner Nelson and Dad’s cousin Kim).
Our goal is to tick off number 16: Enter the 2010 Variety Club Bash.
Non-Aussies could be forgiven for thinking that the Variety Club Bash is an annual festival showcasing a “variety” of cage fighting disciplines involving bodily harm and bloodshed. Fear not, it’s quite the opposite really.
It’s actually an annual fundraising car race held by The Variety Club, a charity whose mission is to “transform the lives of sick, disadvantaged and special needs children”.
The Bash is no walk in the park. First of all, all vehicles must be at least 30 years old. Secondly, we’ll be travelling some 2000km through the Outback over dirt tracks whilst dodging kangaroos and pot holes big enough to lose a small country in. And thirdly, we’ll be dealing with Bash officials who take great delight in taking bribes and issuing fines all in the name of fundraising. Proof of this can be found in the rules; “Entrants can be fined for taking the event too seriously. The amount an entrant is fined depends on the seriousness of taking it seriously.” 
In order to participate, we need to fundraise at least $7,500 (our goal is $10,000). In case you need reminding, we’re in a global financial crisis. As such, highly creative fundraising ideas are required and preferably ones that don’t involve the use of ancient Japanese cage fighting techniques.
Sooo, this week’s question is;
What are some kick arse fundraising ideas we can use to raise money?
So far we’ve thought of the following;
- Street party with a silent auction.
- Girl’s clothes swap and cocktails night with lucky door prizes.
- Boy’s poker night with lucky door prizes.
- Collection tins at local stores.
- Stall at Carols By Candlelight event.
- Stall at a shopping centre.
Have any other cool ideas?
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Wow, Sami, this sounds fun!!!
Since I love social events, the street party sounds fun. I have to admit that I’m the worst at coming up with fund-raising ideas.
How about a collection of things people don’t want, then selling the items on EBay?
Or, how about donations for rides in a Smurfette Mobile?
Good luck, Sami! I’m sure you smartie pants Aussies will figure something out!
This might help… http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/women/pkgleadership/200811_omag_whp_resources/2
Hey Sami,
Are you thinking what I’m thinking??
Flashdancing for money! Set up a little spot in town, get your music on, a collection jar out, and have at it! I’m telling you, this would bring big $$$!!!
Hi Sami,
Last night the family went to a local school fair here in Mackay… It was pretty small, but gosh they were raking in some $$.
How? They had some pretty enterprising stalls that were cheap and great fun for kids.
The first one was a roll of astroturf (approx 2m wide x 6m long). They had two little squares about 5 metres down the astroturf. At the starting line they had a putter and you paid $2 for 3 putts. The aim was to get the ball to stop in the little square. If it did then you won the prize which happened to be a kid’s bike.
In all honesty it was harder than it looked. The earth underneath was uneven and a bit bumpy, so it was very hard to read.
Idea 2 was my favourite. They had a piece of PVC pipe attached to a board and a toy rat they were dropping down the tube. For $1 for 3 goes you had to try and “whack the rat” with a foam baseball bat. If you did, you won a little prize (I think they had lollypops).
Ok, so maybe you aren’t going to go to the extent of having your own fair, but maybe you could have a stall at one local to your area?
If you want more specific details of the games, please let me know.
Is going to the markets an option? You could make up some little Xmas gifts (I have a couple of easy ideas) and sell them. Things like rum balls and apricot balls are easy to make and go down a treat with market goers… Also is a great place to promo what you are going to do for Variety Club…
Is trying something like the red paperclip -> house thing an option? It would possibly take a bit of planning and promo, but I think someone like you could do it!
Lori’s suggestion is also really good… get some items that people don’t want and sell them on eBay.
Oh, I know.. host a clothes swap party with your girlfriends and the leftover clothes go on eBay!!! We did this a couple of months ago and it worked a treat. Everyone cleared out their wardrobe of things they don’t wear or don’t fit but are in great condition. People can bring accessories, jewellery, belts, handbags, clothes, winter things.
I can’t wait to read some of the other suggestions!
K
Just a thought. I have seen people and organizations raise considerable funds on http://www.justin.tv
If you have a fundraising event similar to ones mentioned above they could be broadcast live on justin.tv.
A lot of people and organizations have also been successful with Twitter.
Just a couple of media outlet ideas to get yourself in the public eye. I guess it depends on how far you want to take it.
Have a scavenger hunt. Have people pay a donation and hand out a list ( maybe different age lists, kids, teens, adult, etc.) For example on a kids lists, have them find, a dirty sneaker, fur from a lemming, a maple leaf, etc. teens a little harder one. Keep track how long it takes each group to do this. ( Don’t forget to post this on a board.) Then have them go out and tell their friends about it. The watch the competition begin.
@Lori
Hey Lori. Yeah, the street party was one of my faves. My Auntie and Uncle (Katie’s parents) have a weekly street party with their neighbours. We thought we could gate crash that somehow. Love the eBay idea but as for the Smurfette Mobile, no f*cking way am I doing that! I value my life too much.
@Positively Present
Thanks heaps for the link PP. Some great tips there. Wow! $300 billion is donated annually – geez! Gotta get me a slice of that!
@Lance
Now Lance, we are trying to encourage people to give money, not run away from us screaming in horror! That would be freakin hilarious though. I could give Flashdancing lessons. Wouldn’t be hard for people to pick up either, I only have about 3 moves!
@Kirsty
Wow, some GREAT suggestions here K! Thanks so much for taking the time to share them. I’ll definitely add them to the list of ideas we have. We’re planning on sorting a fundraising plan at our next meeting tomorrow night. The guys will be stoked with the suggestions that have come up. Thanks Chick – appreciate it!
@Chick J
Hey Chick J. Now that’s a cool idea! Hadn’t thought of a scavenger hunt. I’ve added it to the list! Thanks very much.
@Houston
Hey Houston. Thanks heaps for that. I’ll check justin.tv out. I’m not on Twitter yet (I really need to get with the program!) but that’s a great idea – hadn’t thought about that. Thanks, appreciate it!