FUN, FUNdraising

Childhood Education, 2004 by Ransdell, Mary

How many times have you needed unique FUNdraising ideas, but come up completely blank? The ideas listed below will allow you to raise FUNds (legally) and have FUN.

Have you ever wanted to play a prank on someone?

Have them "flocked"-purchase 18 to 24 inexpensive plastic pink flamingo lawn ornaments. Participants pay your group to use the cover of darkness to decorate the front yard of an unsuspecting victim with pink flamingos. Once "flocked," the victim can send the birds to someone else. Sell flocking insurance to those who do not want to become victims themselves. Use the same idea with pink paper flamingos to "flock" the offices of coworkers or the dorm doors of friends. You must do this quickly, as the "flocking season" lasts only a month.

Hold rubber duck, turtle, or goldfish races to relieve stress.

The "retired" racers can then become dorm, classroom, or office pets.

Hold a Pajama Day.

Sell tickets that allow participants to come to work or class dressed in their nightclothes on a specific date. Have contests for the wildest, most original, or most comical. Use the same idea for Halloween costumes or School Spirit Day.

Spelling Bees are not just for kids anymore.

Teams of 3 to 4 adult participants can register and compete against each other. Team competition eliminates the stress of competing alone and increases the FUN. The registration fee might be $10-$15 per team in order to entice many participants. Establish and publish contest rules ahead of time.

Take out your frustrations on a balloon.

Put messages inside partially inflated balloons. Some messages could indicate a prize won by the participant, while others merely state something similar to a fortune cookie note. Participants choose a balloon from a huge bin. They sit or bounce on the balloon to make it pop and learn if they won a prize. No poking balloons with sharp objects!

Sell finals week care packages for college students.

Invite parents of college students to order care packages filled with nutritious and FUN foods for students to eat while studying. Your group will create and deliver the packages with a note acknowledging the sender. Include instant cocoa mix, nuts, cheese, fruit, cookies, etc., in the care packages. Ask the admissions office to include your letter with materials sent to incoming students to allow time for ordering, packaging, and delivery.

Sell "goblin" insurance.

This insurance policy ensures that your group will clean up Halloween messes of smashed pumpkins, toilet paper, etc., after the ghoulish night. Your group will not make repairs to broken items, but you will tidy the premises of the "insured." Businesses and homeowners undoubtedly would appreciate this service.

Contact a local store or restaurant popular with your members to arrange for setting aside a percentage of sales from a particular day to benefit your group.

You both win, because the establishment gets free advertisement and business, and you earn money with, relatively little work. Your group might volunteer in the establishment that day and recruit new members.

Advertise and have FUN!

Mary Ransdell,

Program Development Committee

mransdll@memphis.edu