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I’m sure you’re no stranger to raising money for your association. You might solicit donations for specific causes such as political action committees, your foundations, or a cause championed by your members. Whatever your purpose, finding a fundraiser that appeals to your audience can help you raise the most money possible.

How to Select the “Right” Fundraiser

Each association has its own personality, and your goal is to match the association to the fundraiser that is the best fit. You can hire a fundraising consultant or you can create a fundraising team within your own organization.

Here are questions to consider:

• What cause or purpose will the fundraising benefit?
• How much money do we want to raise?
• Does our target audience have the resources to meet that goal? If not, scale back your goals, choose a different donor base, or open the fundraiser to more donors.
• Would we do better with many small events or one large event?
• How much staff time is required?
• How much volunteer time is required?
• Will our association community of members, volunteers, and sponsors support the cause?
• How much direct involvement do we need from our leadership?
• Do association leaders actively support our efforts?
• Will this be a single-year event or a multi-year effort?

Once you have the goals of your fundraiser in place, determine what type of event you’d like to sponsor. Here are 15 suggestions that may unleash your team’s creativity:

1. Golf Tournament – This event raises money, but it also provides relaxed time for members and sponsors to network. The event can work as part of a larger event, like a conference or annual meeting, but also can work as a stand-alone event.
2. 5k Run/Walk, Bike Race, Rollerblade, or Roller Skate Race – This event can be styled to suit your membership. You can run concurrent races tailored to participants’ fitness levels or mobility so everyone can participate. Like a golf tournament, this type of event can be held during a conference or as a stand-alone event. Be sure to consider giving out tee shirts as a prize for competing. If you have a serious race, be sure to award trophies to the winners.
3. Silent Auction – A silent auction is very flexible. It can be hosted in-person or online. Online events may require more promotion, but you can build that into the process. A silent auction can be a stand-alone event or part of a larger event. Your only limitations are how desirable the auction items are.
4. Gala and Live Auction – Associations celebrating anniversaries are naturals for fundraising galas and live auctions. Consider a balloon drop after dinner as the dancing starts. Even the most reserved guests can’t resist playing with the balloons, and they help get everyone up on the dance floor. If you can’t host a live gala, have an un-gala. Ask your members to determine what they would normally spend on coming to a gala – tickets, tux rentals, new dress, etc. – and donate that amount of money.
5. Recipe Books – Particularly if your association has a mission related to food, medicine, or health and wellness, publishing a recipe book can be a fundraising hit – and it keeps your association’s name in your members’ kitchens for years to come. You can sell ads or sponsorships in the book, or you can solicit one sponsor for the entire project. Of course, you’ll sell the recipe books and can demonstrate certain dishes at in-person meetings.
6. Custom Tee Shirts – Your association can sell custom tee shirts in several different ways. You can design the shirts, have them printed, and fulfill the orders yourself – or you can hire a company to do it for you. If you plan the distribution as part of a larger event, you can solicit shirt sizes before you order.
7. Wristbands or Pins – Several national charities have successfully used wristbands as premiums recognizing donations. If you can make it cool to have a wristband or a lapel pin, you can use it to spur and reward donations.
8. Donate a Drink Challenge – Fundraising campaigns that emphasize “every little bit counts” often urge members to donate what they spend on coffee every day. You can formalize this into a “donate a drink” challenge that lasts for a month.
9. Video Game Fundraising Event – If your membership has ties to video games, you can organize a video game event or even a video game marathon. Participants donate to register in the event. You can host it online or at an in-person event.
10. Casino Night – Give your association a great night of fun and raise money for your cause. Most associations don’t have roulette wheels tucked away in a closet or have staff members who can deal blackjack, so research companies that can provide the props and staff. A casino night gives you many ways to raise money with auctions, raffles, individual sponsorships, corporate sponsorships, cash bar, gourmet catered dinner, and ticket sales. Keep a close eye on expenses and set ticket prices high enough to cover your costs.

Convention Fundraisers

Some fundraisers just work better as part of larger events. Here are six:

11. Raffles – You can raffle almost anything, but always consider the audience – what would your members be excited about winning? The prizes can be donated by sponsors and can be for physical prizes or hotel stays and vacations. Raffles always work better in person – have your friendliest and most outgoing volunteer to encourage people to participate.   
12. Wine or Beer Tasting – If you have a member or sponsor who loves wine or beer, you can host a tasting event. Participants pay to taste and the beverages are donated. It can be lively or serious depending on the host.
13. Cooking/BBQ Competition – Your hotel may have space for a cooking competition during your conference or participants can bring their own grills. The BBQ event could work in a parking lot, if one is available, and it could work as a stand-alone event. Funds come from entry fees, judging fees, tasting fees, voting fees, or whatever else you can think up. It might also be a companion to a beer brewing or tasting event.
14. Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament – This event works well during a larger event, especially a casino night. Entry fees can be high ($100 per person isn’t uncommon), and you can determine the prize for the winner based on your audience, often a donated gift or hotel stay.
15. Guessing Games – You’ve probably played this game at least once yourself. You put items in a jar and charge participants $1 per guess. Everyone plays for a donated prize. Put the jar in prominent places – registration, lunch, social hours – and make it easy to pay to guess. You can even discount multiple guesses.

All fundraising events share common elements, but each one is unique to the association that hosts it. Highlight the traits that make your association stand out with your fundraiser and give your members and sponsors an event that’s enjoyable. You might be amazed by how much money you can raise while you’re having fun.