Top 5 Fundraising Ideas in Calgary
By Robert Gregoire
Finding effective and engaging fundraising ideas can be a daunting task for parents, especially with busy schedules and diverse community needs. The challenge often lies in selecting a fundraiser that is both easy to manage and appealing to potential supporters.
Many parents find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available, unsure of which will provide the best return on their efforts and time. It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics and miss out on the enjoyment that a successful fundraiser can bring.
To help simplify your decision-making process, we’ve compiled a list of the “Top 5 Fundraising Ideas in Calgary.” This friendly and informative guide offers a comprehensive overview of each option, detailing the pros and cons so you can confidently choose the best fit for your family and community. Whether you’re looking for something low-cost and hands-on or an innovative approach like home grocery delivery, this guide will provide you with the insights needed to make fundraising both fun and successful.
Here Are The Top 5 Fundraising Ideas In Calgary
1. Bottle Drives
2. Online Raffles
Host a 50/50 raffle or offer a prize. Sell raffle tickets to friends, family, and the community. Promote the raffle through social media, school newsletters, and local events. Draw the winners at the end of the 30-day period and celebrate the success together. Even though we’re starting to see “Raffle Fatigue” and lower engagement, online raffles still is one of the best and makes our list of the top 5 fundraising ideas in Calgary.
Pros
- Affordable way for your friends and family to support
- It’s easy to setup and execute
- A chance to win a prize
- Track sales by team member
- Sales can be completed in 30 days or less
Cons
- Not everyone wants to support lotteries
- Raffle fatigue – too many requests to support
- Cancelling out – if you ask 10 friends to support and then they turn around and ask you back, it cancels out
- Might take a couple weeks to get your licence
- 50/50 are more like 50/40 – they take a percentage of your sales which really isn’t that bad for their service. Just wish they were more upfront about it.
3. Home Grocery Delivery by UR Fundraising
Partner with UR Fundraising to sell gift certificates for home grocery delivery. This convenient and profitable fundraiser allows supporters to purchase high-quality products delivered directly to their homes. With a 25% commission on each gift certificate sold, this initiative can quickly boost your fundraising total making this a top 5 fundraising idea in Calgary. Plus, the store remains open for re-orders all season, providing ongoing support for your team. We launched the home delivery component last year and of course people loved the convenience so it makes the top 5 fundraising ideas in Calgary list.
Pros
- Affordable way for your friends and family to support
- Sell gift cards to use on the store and earn 25%
- It’s easy to setup and execute our online platform
- Over 300 products, there’s something for everyone
- Convenient, affordable and high quality products
- Over 100 products under $50 – not a “fill your freezer”
- Supporting local businesses
- Flexible home delivery
- Track sales by team member
- Gift certificate sales can be completed in 30 days
- Your supporters can re-order all season long and keep earning 18% on those sales.
Cons
- Not everyone wants to buy groceries for fundraising
- Bad experience from the “Fill Your Freezer” fundraisers from other companies
4. Survivor Hockey Pool
5. Silent Auctions & Door Prize Lottery
Combining a silent auction with a door prize board is an engaging and effective way to raise funds. In a silent auction, attendees bid on items by writing down their offers on bid sheets. The highest bid at the auction’s end wins the item. This format allows for competitive bidding and can generate significant funds, especially when the items are desirable and have a broad appeal.
Adding a door prize board creates an additional layer of excitement and participation. A 10×10 board is displayed with 100 squares, each representing a potential door prize. Participants can purchase squares at a set price, such as $5 per square, for a chance to win a prize. The more squares sold, the higher the potential revenue.
This combination offers multiple benefits: it engages a wide range of participants, from those interested in bidding on auction items to those looking for a fun and affordable way to win a prize. It also maximizes fundraising potential by appealing to different interests and budgets within the community. By providing clear instructions, promoting the event well in advance, and ensuring the prizes are attractive, you can create an enjoyable and profitable fundraising event. It’s a little more work but it makes our list of the top 5 fundraising ideas in Calgary.
Pros:
- Attracts a wide range of participants, appealing to both auction enthusiasts and casual attendees.
- The door prize board adds an element of fun and excitement, encouraging more people to participate.
- Participants can choose how much they want to spend, whether it’s bidding on auction items or purchasing squares on the prize board.
- This flexibility can increase overall participation and revenue.
- Multiple revenue streams from auction bids and door prize sales.
- Opportunity to showcase and support local businesses by featuring donated auction items and prizes.
- Encourages local businesses and individuals to donate items or services, fostering a sense of community support.
- Provides a platform for promoting local products and services.
- The competitive nature of the auction and the suspense of the door prize drawing create an engaging and entertaining atmosphere.
Cons:
- Requires careful planning and organization, including securing auction items, setting up bid sheets, and managing the door prize board.
- Coordinating volunteers and managing the event can be labor-intensive.
- Potential costs for venue rental, promotional materials, and any items not donated.
- Expenses can add up if not carefully managed, impacting overall profitability.
- Planning and executing a successful silent auction and door prize board event can take significant time and effort.
- Requires commitment from volunteers and organizers to ensure smooth operation.
- The amount raised can vary depending on the number and quality of auction items and the level of participant engagement.
- There’s no guarantee that all auction items will sell or that all prize board squares will be purchased.
- If the event is not well-promoted or if the prizes are not appealing, it may result in lower turnout and participation.
- Competing events or timing issues can also affect attendance and revenue.
Choosing the right fundraiser is crucial for the success of your campaign and the enjoyment of everyone involved. The “Top 5 Fundraising Ideas in Calgary” offer a diverse range of options, from traditional methods like bottle drives and silent auctions to innovative approaches like online raffles and home grocery delivery. Each idea presents unique benefits and challenges, but all share the potential to raise significant funds while fostering community spirit. Whether you’re looking for a low-cost, easy-to-organize event or a creative way to engage your supporters, these ideas can help you achieve your goals. Explore these options and select the one that best suits your needs, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful and enjoyable fundraising experience.