Many schools hold a jog-a-thon or 1K/5K Run and find a single event can fund their entire school! One unique idea is to tell students who raise at least $15 in donations that they can join 100 Mile Club for free. Anything earned beyond that helps other programs at the school or other students join. This single event aligns perfectly with the physical activity emphasis of our program, so fits well!

This is a reliable old standby because it works, and it’s fun! You could do a classic 50/50 raffle where the winner gets half of the money raised, or a “chance ticket” prize raffle, where students and parents collect donated prizes from area business and then sell “chance tickets” that give people a shot at the prizes. Raffles work best in conjunction with another event like a school fair or sports game. With prizes donated by area businesses, you’ll make a 100% profit! One parent says: “The kids liked helping sell the tickets, and they also drew the winning tickets for the prizes. It made them feel more involved with the fundraising.” Be sure and clarify what is legal in your state, as each state varies on what is defined as gaming and what non-profits can do. Basket Raffle - A really creative spin on a classic raffle. Every class picks a theme for the basket they’re putting together — something like sports, chocolate, or summer fun. Ideally, students or parents get the items for the basket donated from local businesses that have something to offer related to that theme. Present a list of baskets and their contents to friends, family, and neighbors and sell raffle tickets for a shot at winning one. Your school can make quite a profit!

Do a simple coin/change drive. Filling a regular sized water bottle with dimes gives you about $100

One person’s junk can be a school’s treasure! Organize a garage sale, and you’ll clean out your house and give back to the community at the same time. You can make the sale as small or large as you like, depending on the number of donated items and the possible locations for the sale (the school gymnasium might be an option on the weekend, if there are no sports games). One parent says: “Box up and sell everything you haven’t used over the past year. I know it’s hard, but it’s for your own good and the good of the school. The school gets 100% of the profits. You get a clean house.”

Candles, Origami Owl, Jewelry or Tupperware are easy and fun and the companies have a catalog just for fundraisers. You collect the orders and money up front, and your school gets a percentage of the sales. Online catalog sales is another great option, (cookie dough, popcorn, gift wrap, restaurant night). Some fundraisers will either give back a portion of sales or 100% of donations.
One parent says: “Tupperware has an exclusive fundraiser line with items that can’t be found in the regular catalog. It’s best to have a ‘kickoff night’ where parents, students, and teachers learn what’s going on with the sale.”

Find a local car wash business to sponsor your event at their site, or have a DIY car wash in a prominent parking lot where you supply the helpers, soap, water, and towels. Kids can design signs to advertise your fundraiser on main street corners. Give credit to any local sponsors on your posters or flyers, and they’ll probably be glad to help your school or organization. This is a great fundraiser for teens to get involved in.

There are many different options to raise funds via online platforms, for example: GoFundMe, Amazon Smile, Facebook fundraiser, Instagram fundraiser Online catalog sales (cookie dough, popcorn, gift wrap, restaurant night). Some fundraisers will either give back a portion of sales or 100% of donations.

A great platform that 100 Mile Club uses is Network For Good https://100mileclub.networkforgood.com/ We can help you get this all set up and answer any questions you may have.

Many companies, from small businesses to large corporations will financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations.

Instead of asking for direct individual donations, a peer-to-peer or “P2P” fundraiser empowers your biggest supporters to raise funds on behalf of your nonprofit, effectively becoming “ambassadors” for the organization. For example, selling snacks or water bottles at a school event, one 100 MC coach funds his whole program by selling water bottles throughout the year. He gets donated water from parents/local grocery stores and then sells it cold for $1 a bottle throughout the school year.

This type of fundraising is highly effective.