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If you have kids who are in school or any other kind of activity, you are probably familiar with fundraising. It’s a necessary evil in this day and age with costs going up and even simple sports and groups needing additional funds to thrive. I think it’s pretty universal that most parents hate their kids having to sell things. With multiple kids, it can feel like we’re always trying to get people to buy stuff. Here are some fundraising ideas that don’t involve selling things that people don’t want or need!
Raise Funds Without Selling Stuff: Fundraising Ideas for Kids’ Organizations
We are in orchestra and with kids groups people are always talking about fundraising. I get tired of being asked to sell things though so thinking of researching ways to fundraise that doesn’t require selling.
Sonic
You can sign up to do a spirit night at Sonic through GroupRaise. Your group gets 10% of what is sold during the event.
Chick-fil-a
Chick-fil-A stores are owned by local operators, so each store operates their fundraising nights differently. Contact your local store. Usually, they will give groups 10-20% of the profit of sales they make during the fundraising event.
Mellow Mushroom
Like Sonic, you can sign up to do a fundraising night with GroupRaise. Mellow Mushroom usually offers 10% of the sales to the group.
Chipotle
Chipotle offers one of the highest percentages to groups—usually 25%. You can submit through their fundraiser request.
Panera
Panera also offers 25% of net sales to groups who are trying to fundraise. You can go to Panera’s fundraising site to find out more.
Kroger
Anyone who has a Kroger card can link their card to an organization through Kroger Community Rewards. Kroger than donates to that organization depending on the amount purchased through cards linked to that group. This is a pain-free way to make money with little to no work on anyone’s part!
Themed Dress Days
This is a great idea for groups who have to wear uniforms or abide by a certain dress code (such as private schools). You can allow kids to dress up with a certain theme (pajamas, superheroes) or just let them pay a few dollars to “dress down.” A school near us lets kids wear Crocs on Fridays if they pay $1!
Trivia Night
Organize an event where individuals or teams can pay to register and compete in a quiz, trivia, or even Bingo night. You might even be able to partner with a local restaurant.
Movie Night
Use a big outdoor space or someone’s backyard to host a movie night. They can bring their own snacks and buy tickets to the movie.
Performance
If the kids’ organization is part of the arts, you can have them put on a performance and charge entry for tickets. For example, a group near us hosts a yearly Jazz Night where people buy tickets and the proceeds go to the orchestra.
Talent Show
Who doesn’t love a talent show!? Cast a wide call for acts and charge admission.
Sponsorship Events
We’ve participated in lots of these: a fun run, a read-a-thon, and even a “rock-a-thon” where people pledged to sponsor a kid for how long they could rock in a rocking chair.
Car Wash
Find a local business or large parking lot where you can have your own car wash. You can charge a small amount, but sometimes just asking for donations brings in more money.
Fill a Calendar
Here is a way to make a custom fill a calendar fundraiser. Sometimes people would rather just give money than buy something they don’t really need, and this one allows people to donate even small amounts, but they add up!
Do you have any other fundraising ideas for kids that doesn’t involve selling anything? Let us know in the comments!
