Fundraising
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      1. Brigade Knowledge Base
      2. Fundraising

      Fundraising Examples

      Examples of successful fundraising types and events

      Social Media

      Difficulty: Easy
      Average Results: $
      Group Size: Individual, Small, or Large Groups

      • Share your MyBrigades page on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. so that friends and family can donate
      • Send emails with a link to your MyBrigades Page to immediate and extended family, friends, neighbors, highschool teachers, advisors, your church, mosque, temple, etc.
      • Inform your potential donors! Let everyone know what you are fundraising for and share your passion for the organization.
      • Engage with Global Brigades social media accounts. Make sure to share interesting posts from your Chapter’s social media accounts and the official Global Brigades accounts!
      • Share your #MyGBStory after your brigade so your donors can see what their funds went towards!

      Matching Donations

      Difficulty: Easy
      Average Results: $$
      Group Size: Individual, Small, or Large Groups

      Global Brigades has partnered with 360MatchPro, an organization specializing in matching donation support.

      • Utilize your network. Reach out to friends, family, and others and ask them if their workplace offers matching donations.
      • Search for applicable companies. When donating to US brigade groups on the Global Brigades website, donors can use the "Employer Matching" search tool during checkout to see whether their employer is in 360MatchPro's database of companies.
      • Make a donation and complete the matching donation submission information. After the donor makes their donation, a web page will appear showing the donor the information they will need to complete their matching donation submission with their company. 
      • Follow-up. After a donor makes a donation and submits for a matching donation, follow-up with the donor/employer to see if there are additional steps they may need to take
      • Ask for help. Have questions about a matching donation? Reach out to accounting@globalbrigades.org if you need any supporting documentation from Global Brigades.

      Scholarships

      Difficulty: Easy
      Average Results: $$
      Group Size: Individual, Small, or Large Group

      • Do your research! Many university campuses offer scholarships for students participating in service activities abroad
        • Reach out to your Student Activities Office, Study Abroad Office, and/or Honors program office to see what opportunities are available
        • Scholarships may also be offered by local service or social clubs in your community
        • Reach out to your local chapter of organizations like Rotary International to determine if they can offer scholarships or grants in support of your brigade's Donation Goals
      • Ask for help. Global Brigades staff are happy to provide supplemental documentation to volunteers, as needed
      • Work towards a Global Brigades Scholarship. Review GB’s USA Brigade Scholarships Guide to see how you can receive scholarships towards your donation goals by meeting recruitment and deadline requirements

      Penny Wars

      Difficulty: Easy
      Average Results: $
      Group Size: Small or Large Groups

      • Declare a competition amongst sections of a class or among volunteers
      • Determine the rules for your competition: ex. coins = (+) points and dollars = (-) points, or pennies = (+) and silver coins = (-)
      • Decorate and set up your containers in an accessible location. Could be jars, water bottles, milk jugs, food cartons, etc.
      • Promote your event: create flyers or posters 
      • Start the competition! The class or volunteer with the most points at the end of the week is declared the winner!
      • Create a small prize or have an ice cream/pizza party for the winners

      50/50 Raffle

      Difficulty: Easy
      Average Results: $$
      Group Size: Small or Large Groups

        • Set a price for your raffle tickets ($1, $2, or $5)
        • Offer bundles for even more sales (3 tickets for $2 or 10 for $5 etc.)
        • Sell! around campus,  to volunteers’ family and friends
      • Have a drawing and pick your winner!
        • The winner gets 50% of the earnings and your chapter can keep the other 50%
        • Some chapters have worked with Kaplan to offer a free test-prep course and utilize the profit specifically towards your Donation Goals
      • Remember to check with your University to make sure raffle type fundraisers are allowed on your campus

      Product Sales

      Difficulty: Moderate
      Average Results: $$
      Group Size: Individual, Small or Large Groups

      • Make it an individual or group effort. Individuals who participate in sales will benefit from direct profits, whereas group sales events can reach a larger audience (consider setting up a sale on campus or in your community)
      • Try out food sales. Classic bake sales, or other popular foods (pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc) can bring in a lot of cash for minimal effort. Set up your stand in a highly trafficked area late at night on weekends or during final exam weeks.
      • Partner with Café Holistico.  You can sell individual bags of coffee or buy in bulk and sell as individual cups. Check out the website and fill out the “Fundraise with Us” form to be connected to a representative.
      • Sell merchandise. Make GB T-shirts, buttons, sweatshirts and other apparel to sell around campus. Make sure to follow the GB Branding Guidelines!

      Restaurant Partnerships

      Difficulty: Moderate
      Average Results: $$$
      Group Size: Small or Large Groups

      Work with a local restaurant, bar or nightclub to get a percentage of sales or the cover charges on a slower night of the week  (usually Wednesday or Thursday)

        • Use GroupRaise to help organize fundraisers with restaurants
      • The more people in the door, the more money you raise!
        • Get the word out to potential volunteers, family, and friends
        • Make use of your social media accounts and post flyers around campus
        • Organize a dinner for future brigaders to hang out and get to know each other better
      • Let donors know about the requirements: some fundraisers require customers to present a flyer in order for your Chapter to get your percentage.

      Collection Boxes

      Difficulty: Moderate
      Average Results: $
      Group Size: Small or Large Groups

      • Collect  cash donations in high traffic areas: outside major sports events, concerts, or other public events on campus or in the area
      • Plan in advance: 
        • Competition can be fierce for these collections
        • You’ll need a several people to help out with this fundraiser, so organize a group ahead of time
        • Do your research to make sure you’re following all campus/city regulations!
        • Consider security arrangements (if you’re carrying a lot of money)
      • Draw attention: decorate containers or boxes for collections (following GB’s Branding Guidelines)
      • Provide information about GB and about your upcoming brigade

      Car Wash

      Difficulty: Moderate
      Average Results: $$
      Group Size: Small or Large Group

      Nothing says “fundraiser” better than a classic car wash!

      • Pick a location: Set up on a busy street or pick a good spot on campus
        • If you are a large group, consider splitting up into smaller groups and hosting car washes at different spots across town.
      • Make sure you have all of your supplies: sponges, soap, towels, hoses, buckets, etc. Ask volunteers to bring or donate items to save on costs
      • Promote: Get creative, use GB logos
        • use flyers and social media
        • make some signs and posters! 
        • have some volunteers hold up your signs and bring in the cars
      • Pick a nice day and busy time when there will be lots of cars on the road
      • Organize into groups for washers, rinsers, driers, etc.
      • Collect all of your donations using a jar or box 

      Concessions

      Difficulty: Moderate
      Average Results: $$
      Group Size: Small or Large Groups

      • Work concessions stands during sporting events for a percentage of the earnings. Many universities and colleges look for non-profits groups and service groups for this
      • Ask your University about allowing your Chapter to run a concessions stand during your next football and/or basketball game
        • Most Universities will provide the necessary training and supplies
      • Keep track of volunteer participation: create sign up sheets to keep track of which volunteers attend and how many hours everyone works
      • Extras: you can usually put out a tip jar and a sign at your stand to promote GB too!

      Stadium/Event Clean Up

      Difficulty: Moderate
      Average Results: $
      Group Size: Small or Large Groups

      • Clean sections of a stadium or event center after a major sports event or concert and get paid for it. 
      • Many venues prefer to employ student groups to perform these duties
        • There is often times a minimum number of volunteers required - if you do not have enough members, try pairing with another student organization.
      • Get everyone involved!  
        • It’s messy work and takes a few hours to complete, but many hands can make light work and generate funds to support your brigade's donation goals
        • This is also a great opportunity for team building and getting to know fellow volunteers better!

      Local Business Sponsorships

      Difficulty: Moderate
      Average Results: $$
      Group Size: Small or Large Groups

      Many businesses are looking to support local student groups!

      Find the right person and channel: 
          • When reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship, we recommend meeting with a business representative face-to-face
          • If you're unable to visit the business in person, you can use this email template
      Communicate the impact of the donations
          • Let them know how their donations will benefit themselves, the brigade participants, and the communities
          • Sponsors may also want to know exactly how their donation will be allocated for your brigade-- share with them the Program Contribution Breakdown

      Determine the best way to receive funds by working directly with the sponsoring business.

      Trivia Night

      Difficulty: Moderate
      Average Results: $$
      Group Size: Small or Large Groups

      • Invite teams of 3-4 people to compete in a massive trivia contest
      • Sell tickets for attendance and participation
      • Secure a venue or platform- could be on campus, at someone’s house, or at a restaurant or bar, consider using apps or platforms like houseparty, zoom...
      • Advertise with posters, flyers, and social media
      • Prepare the quiz: Design a set of trivia questions and an answer sheet. Mix in a few that relate to Global Brigades and/or international health and development.
      • Make some extra $: host other mini raffles or fundraisers during the trivia night event. You can also get refreshments for selling during breaks. 
      • Reach out to sponsors and receive prizes from local supporting businesses

      Benefit Concert

      Difficulty: Difficult
      Average Results: $$$
      Group Size: Ideal for Large Groups

        • Come up with a proposal for the kind of concert you want- think about the size, genre of music, potential venues, sponsors, and a date and time (start planning 1-2 months in advance)
        • Secure a local venue: Reach out to your University’s Cultural Center,  a restaurant or a park
        • Have a variety show using local talent- Promote this as an opportunity for artists to market themselves and encourage them to invite their fans
      • Be prepared!
        • You will need quite a few people to make this happen, so think about organizing into committees
        • Secure audio/visual equipment and assistance
      • Promote the event- Make use of flyers, posters, and social media
      • Sell tickets- Ask around to find out what friends and family would want to pay and set a reasonable price. Sell in advance to get an idea of what your turnout might be
      • Take care of your performers- Give them time for rehearsal, make sure they have water, and give them a place to hang out during the show
      • Share the GB story during the event and how the ticket sales will benefit your project
      • Show up early on the day of the event to make sure your guests, performers, and venue are all ready

      Have fun!

      Athletic Tournament

      Difficulty: Difficult
      Average Results: $$$
      Group Size: Ideal for Large Groups

      Hold a bracket-style soccer, basketball, or capture-the-flag, volleyball, etc. tournament on campus.

      • Advertise to other clubs/organizations on campus and charge a set donation registration fee per team to raise more money
      • Reach out to sponsors for prizes for the winners
      • Promote your event with flyers, posters, and social media
      • Make sure you have all necessary equipment
      • Have volunteers to help out with check-ins, refereeing, time keeping, score keeping, etc.
      • Fundraise during your fundraiser- think about selling refreshments, or having 50/50 or prize raffles

      Benefit Dinner/Gala

      Difficulty: Difficult
      Average Results: $$$
      Group Size: Ideal for Large Groups

      • Come up with a proposal for your dinner/gala- decide on a budget, start thinking about possible venues, sponsors, caterings, utilities, etc.
      • Set date for your event that gives you enough time for planning
      • Form a committee of students, university officials, alumni, and sponsors located near the venue
      • Decide on a meal for your event — Catered food or pitch-in? Buffet style or table service? Think of options for all (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, food allergies)
      • Promote the event using social media, flyers, and by word-of-mouth
      • Set a price and sell tickets in advance. Note: selling online can make sales a lot easier! Try using free services such as Eventbrite.
      • Make it fun! Consider  including some entertainment or hosting other fundraisers during your dinner/gala (i.e. silent auction). Arrange a special speaker, develop visuals, and/or produce a video to share brigade stories with your guests
      • The day of the event arrive early, set up the décor (consider keeping to a theme), make sure the food, entertainment, and guest receivers are all ready, and enjoy your dinner/gala!
      • Send thank you letter/emails to all of your sponsors and guests after your dinner/gala