Fundraising efforts benefit individuals, families, and entire institutions fighting against cancer. Whether you want to support someone in your community, top pediatric cancer research, or another pediatric cancer non-profit, there are a few ways you increase your impact. While giving is great, fundraising combines the efforts of many to make a bigger difference.
Here are just a few easy and inexpensive ways to get involved, whether you’re organizing or participating in a fundraiser for kids with cancer.
10 Fundraising Tactics That Work
#1. Races, Bike-a-Thons, & Fun Runs
This is our fundraiser of choice. Through the Big Buffalo 50, a race in Memphis, TN, we collect donations for kids and families who are a part of the Cancer Kickers Soccer Club! It doesn’t have to be a run – it can be a walk, fun run, biking event, or any kind of race. If you’re organizing in your community, work with your local government to establish a time and place. You’ll need volunteers to hand out water, markers for the path, and marketing materials, like local flyers and social media ads.
#2. Community Dinners
Feeding the masses can be a great way to raise money. Find a local community center or church that has a commercial-size kitchen and a dining area. Families can pay for their meal with a donation – a “pay what you want,” model. You’ll find that people can be very generous. The key is to choose a meal that is low cost. Spaghetti with garlic bread and a side salad, hotdogs, chili, tacos, etc., all make good options.
#3. Bakesale
You may want to plan with a holiday in mind – offering Thanksgiving pies, decadent Valentine’s Day desserts, or Christmas goodies that impress at any holiday party.
#4. Raffles
Ask local businesses to donate prizes like vacations, the latest model tablet or phone, or other tempting prizes. Sell raffle tickets in the community, proceeds of which will go to the cancer patient or charity of your choice.
#5. Auction
Auctions, like raffles, are a relatively low-cost venture. Get community members and businesses to donate desirable items and experiences that your auction-goers can bid on. You may find them being extra generous with their bids when they know it’s going to a good cause.
#6. Donation Incentives
If you’re a business owner or manager, think of ways you can leverage your office for charity. Teachers do this in schools with their kids, and it works for the corporate world, too – sell “passes” for a blue jeans/t-shirt day as a comfortable break from regulation office attire.
#7. Community Game Night
Community events are also fun for raising money and bringing families in the community together. Utilize local parks or community centers to set up gaming areas with sports, bingo, board games, cards, trivia, etc. Players pay an admission fee to play with a small prize offered to winners. If you’re feeling adventurous, recruit some prominent community members for a dunk tank and have people donate to send them into the drink!
#8. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
P2P fundraising is extremely common. It’s like a sponsorship but for an individual! Utilize this strategy for races, where friends and family pledge to back a runner, or other events like polar plunges, ice bucket challenges, etc. It’s charity crowdfunding at its finest!
#9. Charity Concert
Talk to organizers at local venues to see if they’d be willing to work out something with area performers for charity. The admission fee is the donation, and bands can still profit from their merchandise if they wish. It can be at a venue or in a public park but be sure there’s enough seating and equipment to accommodate a quality show.
#10. Tournament
Finally, there’s the tournament. Teams or individuals can pay to participate in a tournament-style trivia night, video game match, sports game, or virtually any competition you can think of. The entry fee is the donation, while you will supply a prize for the tournament’s winner.
Remember: no matter what you do, big or small, every effort to support kids with cancer, their families, and critical cancer research is worth it. You can make a difference!