The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the days are long–there’s a reason summer is such a great time of the year. And thanks to the beautiful weather and outdoor activities that summer brings, it’s a great time to raise funds for your nonprofit. Keep Doing Good has compiled a few fundraising ideas to help you get the season started with some big contributions!
5k Races, Fun Runs, or Walk-a-Thons
After being cooped up all winter and spring, there’s nothing better than getting out into the summertime sunshine! Not only can you take advantage of the warm weather to get some much needed fresh air, but the good vibes mean that it’s also a great time to embrace the giving spirit with some outdoor fundraisers.
5ks, Fun Runs, and Walk-a-Thons are all great ways to get the community out for a race! Races can be held all year, but you can expect a higher turnout for an event in the lovely summertime weather after a long, cold Winter!
The high turnout and community-based nature of these events make them very profitable! You can offer a variety of snacks and merchandise to supporters/spectators, and rewards to race winners and those who raise the most money. These events are also great for peer-to-peer fundraising, where participants raise money from their own personal network of peers.
You can put a fun twist on any race or run by turning them into color runs, glow runs, relay races, or by slapping a fun theme onto them!
Outdoor Community Nights
Not exactly in the racing spirit? There are a number of other outdoor activities you can put on for your community! Recreational sports leagues or baseball tournaments are a great way to get the community active and involved, as are local fairs! You can invite local restaurants and businesses to these events and allow them to provide games, snacks, drinks, and more–meaning you have a variety of ways to raise money and provide your community with a fun night out!
Consignment Sales
While “Summer Cleaning” may not have quite the same ring to it as “Spring Cleaning”, the truth is that a lot of those boxes and bags that get filled during spring cleaning are still in the garage when summer rolls around–so why not take advantage of this and plan a community consignment sale? Shoes, books, toys, and other similar items can make a huge difference when they are donated and repurposed instead of thrown away. On top of being a great way to raise money for your nonprofit, you can feel good about helping the planet and your local community by reducing trash in landfills.
Car Washes
It’s a cliche for a reason–nothing says “summer” quite like a car wash! The sunshine and hot weather are the perfect conditions for it, and you can recruit volunteers to clean and dry cars for cheap! Throw on some music and provide cold beverages to your volunteers and customers for a fun summertime fundraiser.
Cookouts
While there’s no shortage of speakers blaring tunes once the sun comes out, the REAL soundtrack of the season is the sizzle you hear from all the cook-outs and barbecues held during the summer. Summertime is perfect for hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, barbecues, chili cook-offs, and even low-country boils! There’s no shortage of food and drink you can serve during a cook-off or community cookout, and patrons will be happy to support a local cause while filling their bellies!
In keeping with the food theme, why not go one step further and accept canned/boxed food (along with hygiene products) as part of a food drive? These events are wonderful ways to provide within your community, and show your supporters that you are dedicated to giving back with the help they provide.
The summer offers no shortage of great ways to get out and get involved! These 5 ideas are just a few of the ways you can raise funds for your organization AND provide your community with sun, fun, and the opportunity to make a difference. Now, get out there and get fundraising!
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