<p>I started this nonprofit corporation (nonprofit status still pending) to build a library for this elementary school in rural China that serves 5 villages. I need to raise $2500 by early June in order to get construction done this summer so the kids can use it for the 2006-2007 school year.</p>
<p>The only problem is that I have no idea as to how I can ever raise that much money. I have about $350 of my own money that I plan to donate, which came from my summer job. I've already gotten $50 from sympathetic friends. That leaves $2100 to get in three months.</p>
<p>I'd really appreciate fundraising ideas. Of course, there's the whole door-to-door thing (not too safe & unlikely to get many donations) and sitting in front of the local grocery store, which again is unlikely to attract many donations. I was going to have a benefit concert but the local band scene here is dominated by the city's teen program and I've had a lot of difficulty in finding a place as well as a date that hasn't already been set for a city-planned concert. Thus, I'm open to new fundraising ideas. (Carwashes don't work well either). If you could give me any ideas, I'd really appreciate it!</p>
<p>Remember, I only have 3 months to get $2100!!</p>
<p>By the way, I was going to ask local businesses for donations or donation matching (e.g. donate $1 for every $20 donated from outside sources), but I'm pretty sure that they'll ask for official nonprofit status which may take another half year as I'm still swamped in paperwork.</p>
<p>My Ds Cross Country team had amazing success with the good old-fashioned car wash. They accepted donations only. One afternoon they netted $750- for maybe 6 hours of work.</p>
<p>Sorry- just re-read op and saw the car wash comment!!! Good luck anyway....</p>
<p>Yeah, city laws regarding water and soap runoff into the creek make it extremely difficult to even find a place for a carwash. Thanks anyawys though!</p>
<p>Any other ideas?</p>
<p>Well in our school we have lots of fundraisers...
Bake sale (typical)
Ice cream sales during lunch
For Easter sell cards and choclates, have it setup so that a person can buy a card and have it sent to a friend or someone during classes, thats always fun</p>
<p>Make an annoucment to the entire school and see if you get any other people interested in the idea, more people will always be better.</p>
<p>have a Krispy Kreme donut day!</p>
<p>700 every five weeks-intensive bake sales and sports tickets can help (in my school the students sell the tickets and keep 66% of the earned amount-with some games at $30/ticket for five hundred tickets split among six people, it works).
You can also garner school support by going after the administration to sponsor something like a penny slam.</p>
<p>Umm, what's a penny slam, if you don't mind my asking?</p>
<p>For track we just started different kind of candy bars for a dollar a piece, as well as blow pops 25cents a piece. Teachers as well as other kids are buying the candy up, and as a result we are raising tons of money fast!!</p>
<p>yea, candy and bake sales will earn tons of money. also, ask 4 donations. set up a donation at ur school, explaining wut its all about. im sure sympathetic kids and teachers will be willing to donate a few dollars each.</p>
<p>oh yeah, and remember to say, "a dollar can make a difference"</p>
<p>if u want, u can also set up these little donation cans in various stores and stuff.</p>
<p>or if u dont trust the stores 2 not steal some of the donation money, you can put an ad in the local newspaper.</p>
<p>go to ralphs or something and set up a donation thing there. there are lots of rich caucasians (most asns go to azn markets) who are willing to donate money for the poor.
* no offense to asians, i'm one myself, but you know...</p>