July 7th, 2017
Playgrounds are an important part of life for many communities, but organizations often lack funds to able to provide them. We understand and are here to help you with ideas to gain those needed funds! One way to obtain the funds for playground equipment is to organize a fundraiser! Here are just a few fundraising ideas we’ve seen other customers try. Take a look at some fun and cost-effective fundraising ideas:
Daycares/Head Start Facilities Fundraiser Ideas
Candy Sales = Instant Sales
Kids love candy! They can't get enough of it. Candy is also ridiculously cheap in bulk. So why not sell it at your daycare and put the money towards new playground equipment. This is a very simple fundraiser to start. Just get a Sam's Club or Costco membership and sell the candy at roughly twice the price paid for the candy. Most parents don't mind sending extra money with their kids for treats. And this is a fundraiser that can last all year-long!
Put Together a Talent Show
What better way to raise money for your daycare and build a child’s self-esteem, than to put together a talent show? It's also a really inexpensive fundraiser to do. You could get a church or school to let you use their venue and audio technician for cheap. Parents love to show off their children, and love to invite all the grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. who will come out the woodwork to see their little loved ones on stage! Now here is the key – charge for admission! Charge $10 dollars at the door and you will raise enough money for a playground in no time.
Sponsored Equipment Purchases
Businesses are always looking for unique ways to advertise. Why not have them sponsor playground equipment at your daycare? Try reaching out to your local businesses in your area, and tell them about the opportunity to sponsor equipment. Offer a permanent sign attached to any equipment that there willing to sponsor. The biggest selling point is that it is an advertisement that lasts for years to come.
HOA/Living Community Fundraiser Ideas
Raffles
While not a novel idea, raffles are a tried-and-true method for raising money quickly. The unique part about Raffles is the Raffle Prize! Maybe the neighborhood has a high concentration of artisan craftsman who can create a work of art for raffling. Or, perhaps a resident is a licensed massage therapist who would provide an hour session to the winner. Who doesn’t love a therapeutic massage? Get creative! Modern raffles do not have to include cheap coffee makers or toaster ovens!
Student Volunteers
Many high school and college students need to complete a certain amount of volunteer hours. The criteria are usually lenient, therefore requesting their help might be met with eagerness. The money saved by hiring volunteers to help clear the lot, plan the structure, and assemble the playground could be the difference between a pipe dream and a reality. To make it more enticing (and fun), offer to present the volunteers with a certificate of proof that they can use on college applications/resumes!
Block Parties
A contemporary block party, potluck, or barbecue is a perfect fundraising opportunity because they are a blast and they have the best food! Involve local musicians, actors, caterers, and anybody else who provides a valuable product or service. Balloon artists, jump houses, pony rides, and other kid-friendly things can take your block party from lackluster to brilliant. Keep tickets affordable and consider inviting people from outside the neighborhood, if possible.
Local Business
Lastly, talk to local businesses around town and tell them about your big playground dreams and plans. Many restaurateurs, shop owners, and integral entrepreneurs from the local area are more than willing to offer an exchange in order to increase sales and community involvement. Possible deals could include their donating necessary funds for publicity, recognition, or exclusive use of services for a specific time period.
With ingenuity, patience, and help, raising funds is a savvy way to get a brand-new playground for the children and families living in their dream neighborhood.
School Fundraiser Ideas
Penny-a-Page Book-a-thon
Students of all ages will find sponsors who pay $0.01 per page read during the designated week or month. To encourage classes and build excitement, reward the class or grade level who has the most read pages at the end of the time period. Throw a pizza lunch or build-your-own ice cream sundae treat!
Sports Camp Saturday
Contact the local high school and recreational league, as well as student parents. Ask for just one hour of their sports expertise for a Sports Camp Saturday. Post your event and purpose on the school calendar and in the parent newsletter. Be sure to list the clinic hours and schedule of sports offered. Charge $5/hour or $10/whole day for students to come and learn about their favorite sports!
Breakfast Bonding
Host a "Donuts with Dad" and a "Muffins with Mom" breakfast before two different school days. Pricing is up to you: 1. Set a cost per muffin or donut. Or 2. Set a "by donation" bucket by the door. Be sure to post a sign or picture of the playground so parents remember how the money is being spent. Invite faculty and staff to donate juice. Baked goods can be donated by parents or requested from a local bakery. You may choose to tell local businesses about your Playground Plan, too. You’ll be surprised how many owners leap at the chance to participate.
Garage Sale
Members of the area, organization, and businesses/donors could donate new and lightly used items to be sold for moderate prices. This would be a good opportunity to get the whole community involved in raising funds while also building relationships with each other and members of the organization through teamwork.
Bake Sales
This would be an excellent opportunity to get families involved with the planning and execution by allowing parents, members of the organization, and supporters to purchase or make their own treats for a bake sale event. There could be raffles, cake walks, games, and simple auctions. This event would give families time to work together to raise money, teach children the value of working to earn funds for things they love and enjoy, and help encourage relationships between families and your organization.
Trivia Night
This could be hosted in a number of places (possibly your organization), and is very cost-effective as materials could be narrowed down to just paper, pens, and possibly small prizes which could be donated. A good way to conduct this would be to assign teams, to encourage more excitement through the aspect of competition and allow more organization in the game process.
Fundraisers Just Not Your Thing?
If you’re in a bit of a hurry to get playground equipment purchased and installed sooner versus later, well, there are other ways to fund your playground immediately. Noah’s Park and Playgrounds works with PEAC Solutions Financing, a national finance provider who specializes in start-up funding for businesses and organizations. Many times an application is approved within 24 hours or less, and usually with a great rate. Another thought is an online campaign such as Kickstarter, or GoFundMe page. With good, thorough social media advertising to your community, these online campaigns can raise thousands of dollars in a relatively short time frame.
Best of luck making your playground a reality. It will be worth it! If you have any questions or want to talk through your ideas and payment options, please contact us.
We are here to help you reach your goal and to help bless your communities children!