Fundraising Ideas
Please utilize the staff of STARS for your event needs, whatever they may be. STARS will provide you with all the necessary tools your event will require as well as guide you through the event if needed. For example: STARS posters, press releases, donor letters, auction forms, sponsorship proposals
In order to guarantee a successful event the most important thing to do is to organize a committee to help with all aspects of your event.
SILENT & LIVE AUCTION
Contact local merchants and businesses about donating goods or services to be auctioned off. Utilize your committee, it’s best to approach businesses that you and your committee frequent. STARS will provide you with the proper solicitation and tax receipt letters.
Some auction item ideas:
- SPA Days
- Restaurant gift certificates
- High end jewelry
- Golf outings
- Trips
Tip: Packaging items in themes is attractive to buyers; i.e. A child’s birthday party, included in package; a clown, ice cream, cake, party decorations, party favors, a fun place, bike.
Auctions can be incorporated into most events and is an easy way to raise funds.
SCHOOL FUNDRAISING
Remember to always ask permission from your school.
Class competitions, which class can raise the most money. Winning class receives a pizza lunch. Be sure to set a time limit.
Some ideas:
- Bake sales
- Spaghetti dinner
- Dances
- Jump rope marathon
- Swimathon
- T-shirt sales
- Car wash
- Raffle (i.e. bike)
- Jean day (participants pay a fee to wear jeans for a day)
- Sell a parking space (Sign posted for year with students name)
- Name a road at school (road sign with students name for year, i.e. Alex Smith Road)
- Sell a chance to have lunch with the cheerleaders
CHURCH FUNDRAISING
Spaghetti dinner, pancake breakfast, yard sale.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Public and private golf courses will assist you in planning for tournament. You will find the golf pro will be extremely helpful. You decide the mode of play, registration fee, prizes, raffle prizes.
FASHION SHOW
Choose one store or combine many. Use community leaders as models, family and friends. Successful shows are usually held at community centers, hotels. Entrance fee is charged.
DESIGNER SHOW HOUSE
Choose a local builder who would be willing to allow you to utilize his house. Utilize local interior designers. Charge guests entrance fee. Having small events with-in show house helps to attract people. i.e. vip cocktail party, seminars (faux painting, gardening)
A show house can be open to public 1 month, 2 weeks or just a weekend. This will depend on builder, designers and you.
HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR
Private homeowners decorate their homes for the holidays. Homes open to public for an entrance fee. Guests visit homes and see how others decorate and get great ideas for decorating. An added feature to event is having a finishing venue with Santa Claus and cookies and drinks, usually a church or community center.
Having several homes proves successful for this event.
KITCHEN TOUR
Each home hosts a local chef that prepares a tapas dish. Charge entrance fee.
OLD FASHION FAMILY PICNIC
Usually held at public park. Entrance fee charged. Have lots of activities; three legged race, spoon on an egg race, water balloon toss, cake walks, watermelon eating competition, frog jumping competition.
Restaurants can help to promote picnic by offering picnic meals just for the event with a % of the sales benefiting STARS.
TENNIS TOURNAMENT
This is an event for the tennis enthusiasts. Utilize your tennis club or group.
TEDDY BEAR LUNCH
Works best at a hotel or restaurant. Charge entrance fee. This is a wonderful day for mothers, grandmothers and their little girls. Guests come with their Teddy Bears all dressed up. Have awards for best dress, funniest etc…
NUTCRACKER BRUNCH
This is a wonderful event to collaborate with the Junior Leagues “Festival of Trees”. The venue is the location of the “Festival of Trees”. The characters from your local theaters Nutcracker are the draw with this event. Guest lunch while characters perform. This does not have to tag onto a “Festival of Trees”. Having at a hotel proves successful as well, as they are decorated for the holidays.
Remember these are just ideas, be creative, and know that you have support and help from STARS.
For more information or you would like to host an event contact Rebecca Smith 1 (843) 671-4641 or email info@stars-us.org