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Volunteers! How do you get school and event volunteers? We know getting volunteers is usually the biggest challenge so check out this guide we made here:

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1. Fundraiser Blankets

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‍Fundraiser Blankets offer warmth and comfort while raising funds for your cause. Whether it's for a school club, sports team, group, or charity, blanket fundraisers are versatile and appealing. Yes, this is a self plug but hey, we worked hard to offer this fundraising option for schools, teams and sports nationwide! Here's how to get started:

• Visit FundraiserBlankets.com for your blankets: Fill out the form through the website, and you will be able to get your free digital blanket designs going!
• Customization: Request your personal touch by customizing the blankets with your school or organization's logo, colors, motto or mascot.
• Price Point: FundraiserBlankets.com offers 50% profit margin, pre-sales or bulk orders at no price difference, you can charge whatever fits your demographic with the starting price of just $12.50 (includes shipping).
• They offer: custom beach, pool, team and rally towels now too!

Blanket fundraisers are a cozy and effective way to raise funds while providing a practical item that brings warmth to your supporters. Start planning your blanket fundraiser today to make a meaningful impact with elementary, middle or high school kids!

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2. Mom’s Night Out

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Parents often lead busy lives, and having an evening dedicated to relaxation and fun can be highly appealing. Mom’s Night Out events provide an opportunity for parents to unwind, connect with other parents, and support the school simultaneously.

• Offers activities like spa treatments or dinners, enticing parents to participate: By organizing activities such as spa treatments, wine tastings, or casual dinners, you're offering a valuable experience that parents will be willing to pay for. These activities make the event more enticing and increase attendance, ultimately leading to higher fundraising potential.
• Promotes a sense of community among parents, leading to increased support for future fundraisers: Events like Moms Night Out foster a sense of companionship among parents, strengthening the school community. When parents feel connected and engaged, they're more likely to support future fundraisers and school activities, creating a cycle of ongoing support.
• Another option is to rent a hall, get a dj, throw together some raffle baskets together and mingle the night away with fellow moms!

Moms Night Out events provide parents with a relaxing and enjoyable way to connect and support their school community that strengthens the bond and fundraising efforts.

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3. Coffee Sleeve Partnership

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Collaborating with local coffee shops allows the school to reach a broader audience and gain exposure within the community. “Branded” coffee sleeves by students serve as a constant reminder of the school's presence, effectively increasing brand visibility and raising funds.

• Provides exposure for the school within the community: Every time a customer purchases coffee with the student created art sleeve, they're exposed to the school's name, logo and a positive message. This exposure helps raise awareness about the school and its fundraising initiatives, potentially attracting new supporters.
• Taps into a daily ritual for many people—getting coffee: Coffee is a staple in many people's daily routines. By associating the school's brand with something as routine as grabbing a cup of coffee, you're embedding the school into people's daily lives, making it more likely they'll support its fundraising efforts.
• Environmentally friendly and sustainable fundraising method: Unlike traditional product-based fundraisers that often produce waste, coffee sleeve partnerships are environmentally friendly. They utilize a reusable product that serves a practical purpose, making it a sustainable fundraising option. Plus, having student art and messages on a coffee sleeve puts a smile on faces.
• Reach out to a coffee shop, grab tons of sleeves, have students decorate them, then bring them back to the coffee shop for sales. The most successful option we have found is to charge $1 per sleeve.

Partnering with local coffee shops through branded coffee sleeves not only enhances the school's visibility within the community but also integrates seamlessly into daily routines through this fun artistic fundraising initiative.

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4. Car Wash Events

A car wash fundraiser offers a practical and effective way to raise funds while providing a valuable service to the community. With low overhead costs and enthusiastic volunteer support, it's a win-win opportunity to make a meaningful impact while contributing to community spirit.

• Practical Service: Everyone needs a car wash, so hosting a car wash event provides a practical service to the community while simultaneously raising funds for the school.
• Community Interaction: Car wash events allow students, parents, and volunteers to interact with members of the community in a positive and friendly environment. This builds friendships and support for the school. Plus, they’re fun!
• Low Overhead: Car wash events typically have minimal setup costs, primarily involving supplies like soap, water, and sponges. Since they rely heavily on volunteer labor, the overhead costs are kept low, maximizing the funds raised. You may need to make a few signs, too.

Hosting a car wash fundraiser not only offers a practical service to the community but also creates meaningful interactions and support for the school, all while keeping overhead costs minimal to maximize fundraising efforts.

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5. Harlem Wizards Game

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The Harlem Wizards game is a great fundraiser choice because it brings the community together, provides enjoyable entertainment with skilled hilarious basketball tricks and skits, appeals broadly to families all while maximizing fundraising outcomes.

• Engagement and Entertainment: This is truly a win-win, not only does everyone have a memorable time but it raises some great funds for schools.
• Community Involvement: This event brings the community together in a variety of ways from sponsors to bringing businesses and district people together.
• Profit Potential: This is actually unlimited depending on how hard you push ticket sales, what concessions you decide to sell and how souvenirs go.

The Harlem Wizards game is an ideal fundraiser, combining community engagement with entertaining basketball, ensuring broad appeal and simplified organization for maximum fundraising success. It’s just a hoot!

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6. Talent Shows

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Talent shows offer more than just entertainment—they provide a vibrant platform for students to showcase their diverse skills and abilities to peers and the wider community. Most importantly, this gives pride as students come together in mutual admiration and encouragement.

• Celebration of Skills: Talent shows provide a platform for students to showcase their talents and abilities in front of their peers and the wider community. This celebration of skills highlights the diversity and talent within the school.
• Revenue Generation: Charging admission fees for talent shows turns them into profitable fundraising events. Attendees willingly pay to see their friends, classmates, and teachers perform, knowing that their contributions support a good cause. You can sell concessions too!
• Promotes School Spirit: Talent shows foster a sense of school spirit and pride as students come together to support one another. They showcase the talent and creativity within the school community, generating excitement and enthusiasm. Get sponsors involved locally, too.

Talent shows not only celebrate the diverse skills of students but also serve as profitable fundraisers that promote school spirit and unity. It’s a win-win!

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7. School Spirit Store & Merch Sales

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Selling spirit and school-branded merchandise not only boosts school pride and identity but also provides a profitable fundraising avenue with high markup potential.

• Branding and Identity: Selling school-branded merchandise helps to promote school pride and identity. Items like t-shirts, hoodies, crocs, hats, blankets and stickers serve as tangible symbols of affiliation and support for the school and district.
• Profit Potential: Branded merchandise often has a high markup, meaning that a significant portion of the sales revenue goes directly towards the fundraising goal. This makes merchandise sales an effective and profitable fundraising strategy.
• Long-Term Benefits: Beyond raising funds, school merchandise sales have long-term benefits. They help to raise awareness of the school within the community and serve as ongoing sources of revenue through repeat sales and new product releases. You can absolutely sell them all year long and really pump them around the holidays and back to school.

School spirit and merchandise sales not only enhance school pride and identity but also offer a lucrative fundraising opportunity with substantial profit margins. This strategy not only supports immediate fundraising goals but also establishes long-term community awareness and sustained revenue streams through ongoing sales and new product offerings.

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8. Fun Runs/Walkathons

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Fun runs, color runs, foam and walkathons promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles among students, staff and families. They encourage people to get active while supporting a good cause.

• Community Engagement: Students gather pledges from friends, family members, and businesses, expanding the fundraising reach beyond the immediate school community. This fosters a sense of community engagement and support.
• Team Building: Fun runs and walkathons often involve teamwork and collaboration. Participants may form teams or groups to train together, fundraise together, and ultimately complete the event together.
• Sponsors: Engage the community by creating raffle baskets as incentives for students. As a reward, students can earn tickets depending on how much they raise to enter into the many community raffle baskets.

Fun runs and walkathons not only promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles but also foster community engagement and teamwork. Participants gather pledges from a wide network, extending fundraising reach and strengthening bonds within the school community through shared goals and collaborative efforts.

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9. Summer Camp

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Hosting a summer camp fundraiser is beneficial because it provides an enjoyable and educational experience for participants while raising essential funds for school programs or initiatives. It combines fun activities with fundraising efforts, making it a meaningful and effective way to support the school community.

• Unique Experience: Offers participants a fun and educational summer camp experience to keep learning going all year long. This can range from fun outdoor activities with science and physical education focuses to themed ideas such as inventions using recycled products, exploring the outdoors, lego and stem building, etc.
• Revenue Generation: Generates funds through participant fees and sponsorships.
• Community Engagement: Engages families and the community in supporting school initiatives.

Hosting a summer camp fundraiser offers a unique blend of fun, education, and community support. It provides participants with an enjoyable summer experience while generating crucial funds through fees and sponsorships, strong engagement and support for school initiatives within the community.

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10. Movie Nights

A movie night fundraiser is a strategic choice due to its ability to attract attendees with a popular and enjoyable event format, thereby generating revenue through ticket sales and concessions. This fundraising approach effectively supports school programs and initiatives.

• Creative Themes: Incorporates imaginative themes and decorations that enhance the festive atmosphere and encourage creative costumes.
• Engaging Contests: Hold contests for costumes including funniest, most unique, most realistic, family theme, most creative, etc.
• Fun Games & Crafts: Come up with some creative games and crafts for students to take home items from.

Hosting a summer camp fundraiser offers a unique blend of fun, education, and community support. It provides participants with an enjoyable summer experience while generating crucial funds through fees and sponsorships, strong engagement and support for school initiatives within the community.

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11. Halloween Dance

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A Halloween dance fundraiser combines festive fun with community support, offering a lively event to raise funds for important school programs or initiatives.

• Affordable Entertainment: Movie nights provide affordable entertainment for students, families, and community members. They offer a fun and enjoyable way to spend time together while supporting a good cause.
• Community Gathering: Movie nights bring people together in a communal setting, making new connections within the school community. They provide an opportunity for socializing and bonding over shared experiences. A football field could be the perfect outdoor summer location!
• Revenue Opportunities: Movie nights can generate revenue through ticket sales, concessions, fundraiser blanket sales, and potentially through sponsorships or partnerships with local businesses. They offer multiple avenues for fundraising while providing an enjoyable experience for attendees.

A Halloween dance fundraiser not only provides an exciting and festive event for the community but also serves as a creative platform to support essential school programs or initiatives. By incorporating imaginative themes and encouraging creative costumes, it enhances engagement and enthusiasm among participants while contributing to the school's fundraising goals. Remember to steer clear of overly scary costumes.

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12. Community Yard Sales

A community yard sale fundraiser leverages local support and sustainability to raise funds for school programs or initiatives through the sale of donated goods.

• Community Collaboration: Organizing a community-wide yard sale involves not just the school community but also neighbors and local residents.
• Sustainable Fundraising: By encouraging the reuse and recycling of items through the yard sale, this fundraiser promotes sustainability and reduces waste while generating funds for the school.

Community Yard Sales harness local support and sustainability to fund school programs through collaborative efforts and the promotion of reuse, and reducing waste in the community.

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13. Holiday Gift Wrapping Service

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A holiday gift wrapping service fundraiser provides convenience and festive cheer while raising funds to support important school programs or initiatives.

• Seasonal Generosity: During the holiday and Christmas season, people are often looking for convenient ways to manage their gift wrapping. Offering a gift wrapping service allows the school to tap into this need while providing a valuable service to the community.
• Festive Fundraising: The holiday season is a time of giving, and providing a gift wrapping service adds to the festive atmosphere while raising funds for the school's initiatives.

During the holiday season, a gift wrapping service fundraiser not only offers convenience but also enhances festive spirit, supporting school programs through community generosity and seasonal cheer. Plus, it helps many parents with the stress and chaos around the holidays!

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14. DIY Craft Fairs

DIY craft fairs offer a creative outlet for local artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their handmade goods, providing a vibrant community event that supports local talent and raises funds for school programs or initiatives.

• Creative Expression: DIY craft fairs provide a platform for students, parents, and local artisans to showcase their creativity and talents. It's an opportunity for individuals to express themselves through handmade goods.
• Unique Offerings: Handmade items often have a personal touch and uniqueness that mass-produced goods lack. By featuring these items at a craft fair, attendees have the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind items while supporting the school fundraiser.
• Custom & Spirited: Encourage vendors to have items prepared with local school, district and community spirit in them to appeal to even more families.

DIY craft fairs celebrate creativity and community, offering a unique venue where local talent shines through handmade goods. By showcasing creative expression and unique offerings, these events not only support school programs but also foster a vibrant atmosphere of artistic appreciation and community support.

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15. Plant Sales

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Plant sales are an effective fundraising option due to their wide appeal and practicality. Plants attract a diverse range of people who appreciate their beauty and benefits. Additionally, they're often affordable and low-maintenance, making them a convenient choice for supporters to purchase and enjoy. This combination of appeal and practicality can significantly boost fundraising efforts.

• Green Initiative: Plant sales promote environmental awareness and encourage gardening as a sustainable practice. It's an opportunity to educate the community about the benefits of green living while raising funds for the school.
• Community Green Thumb: Collaborating with local nurseries and gardeners not only provides a source of plants and gardening supplies but also fosters relationships within the community. It's a chance for gardeners to share their knowledge and expertise with others. Sometimes it’s as easy as a local partnership and providing families with a flier and date where a percentage is earned from sales.

Plant sales offer a dual benefit of promoting environmental awareness through sustainable gardening practices and supporting school fundraising efforts with practical and appealing products. Plus, it’s something that sticks around for quite a while vs an unhealthy consumable.

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16. Trivia Nights

Trivia nights are a popular fundraising choice, known for their ability to bring people together over friendly competition and brain-teasing questions. They often attract both trivia aficionados and casual participants, creating a lively atmosphere that encourages teamwork and laughter. With minimal upfront costs and the potential for local sponsorships, trivia nights can be a financially rewarding event for organizations seeking to engage their community while raising funds for a cause.

• Interactive Entertainment: Trivia nights offer a fun and interactive experience for participants, engaging them in friendly competition while testing their knowledge on various topics. It's an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy themselves while supporting a good cause.
• Social Fundraising: Trivia nights create a social atmosphere where people can mingle, form teams, and enjoy each other's company. It's not just about the trivia; it's about building connections and relationships within the community.

Trivia nights provide an engaging and social fundraising experience that brings together community members in a lively atmosphere of friendly competition.

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17. Dine N Donate - Restaurant Fundraising Nights

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Dine and Donate events involve collaborating with local restaurants, bakeries, fast food places, ice cream shops, chains, or other local places, to host fundraising nights. During these events, a percentage of the proceeds from meals purchased by attendees is donated to the school.

• Culinary Collaboration: Partnering with local restaurants allows the school to offer a dining experience that goes beyond just food. It's an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy a meal while supporting the school.
• Community Dining: Restaurant fundraising nights encourage community members to dine out in support of the school. It's a chance for people to enjoy a night out while giving back to their local school.
• Provides a delicious meal for attendees while supporting local businesses: Dine and Donate events offer attendees the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal while supporting a good cause. By patronizing local restaurants, attendees also contribute to the local economy and support small businesses in the community.
• Fosters a sense of community within the school's neighborhood: Dine and Donate events bring together members of the school community and local residents in a shared effort to support the school. These events fosters community spirit, strengthening ties within the neighborhood.
• Builds relationships with local businesses for future fundraising collaborations: Partnering with local restaurants for Dine and Donate events helps build positive relationships with businesses in the community. These relationships can lead to future fundraising collaborations and support for school initiatives, creating long-term benefits for the school and its students.

Dine and Donate events unite the community around shared meals and support for the school, and strengthening neighborhood bonds while benefiting local businesses and future fundraising collaborations. It is realistic to expect hundreds of dollars in profit from a simple one evening partnership as long as you advertise on social media.

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18. Book Fairs

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Book fairs are a beloved fundraising tradition that appeals to book lovers of all ages. They offer a unique opportunity for communities to discover new reads, from children's stories to adult novels and educational materials. Beyond promoting literacy and a love for reading, book fairs can also serve as social hubs where attendees can engage in discussions, attend author signings, and participate in themed activities. Organizers benefit from the sale of books and educational resources, often sourced from local vendors or donated by supporters. Overall, book fairs combine educational value with community building, making them a cherished and effective fundraising choice.

• Literary Enrichment: Book fairs provide access to a wide selection of books for readers of all ages, promoting literacy and a love for reading within the community. It's an opportunity to inspire a lifelong passion for learning and literature.
• Educational Fundraising: By purchasing books at the fair, attendees not only support the school financially but also contribute to the educational resources available to students. It's a fundraiser with lasting benefits for both the school and the community.

Book fairs enrich communities by promoting literacy, and supporting educational resources through engaging events and diverse book selections. It’s pretty evident why this type of fundraiser has been a favorite for decades just by attending and seeing students' faces while browsing!

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19. Dance-a-Thons & Roller Rinks

Dance-a-thons and roller-skating parties are high-energy fundraisers where participants dance to raise money through pledges or donations. They promote physical activity and community spirit, often featuring music, team challenges, and opportunities for sponsors to support the cause.

• Energetic Fundraising: Dance-a-thons offer a fun and energetic way for students to raise funds while promoting physical stamina and endurance. It's an opportunity for participants to challenge themselves physically while supporting a good cause.
• Social Connection: Dancing together for a common cause and school spirit among participants. It's not just about the dancing; it's about coming together as a community to make a difference.
• Roller Skating: Roller skating rinks are an easy partnership where students come to skate with their friends and families and in return, the rink provides the school with a profit check.

Dance-a-thons and rinks energize communities by promoting physical activity, and raising funds through spirited participation and social connection.

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20. Recycling Programs

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Recycling programs are effective fundraisers that promote environmental consciousness while generating funds. They involve collecting recyclable materials like paper, plastic, or electronics, which are then sold to recycling centers or companies. Participants contribute by collecting and donating recyclables, supporting sustainability efforts and raising money for their cause simultaneously.

• Environmental Stewardship: Recycling programs promote environmental awareness and responsible waste management practices within the community. It's an opportunity to educate students and residents about the importance of sustainability while raising funds for the school.
• Hands-On Learning: Involving students in recycling programs allows them to actively participate in fundraising efforts while learning valuable lessons about environmental conservation. It's a hands-on approach to education that empowers students to make a positive impact on their environment.

Recycling programs combine environmental stewardship with hands-on learning, empowering participants to support sustainability while raising essential funds for school initiatives. Plus, this can count toward your school or district green points!

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21. Carnival/Fair

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Carnivals and fairs are vibrant fundraisers that combine fun activities with community support. They feature games, food stalls, entertainment, and often include attractions like rides or live performances. These events draw families and individuals looking for a day of enjoyment while supporting a cause through ticket sales, food purchases, and game participation.

• Family Fun: School carnivals and fairs offer a wide range of activities and entertainment for people of all ages, making them a fun and enjoyable experience for the whole family. It's an opportunity for families to spend quality time together while supporting the school.
• Community Celebration: Hosting a carnival or fair is not just about raising funds; it's about celebrating school spirit and community pride. It's a chance for the school to showcase its achievements and contributions while bringing the community together for a day of fun and festivities.
• Local Talents: Be sure to engage local talent, there are endless moms, dads, and other talented family members that can contribute to making this event a success for minimal upfront cost.

Recycling programs combine environmental stewardship with hands-on learning, empowering participants to support sustainability while raising essential funds for school initiatives. Plus, this can count toward your school or district green points!

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22. Photo Booth Rentals

Photo Booth rentals are a creative and popular fundraising idea that combines entertainment with community engagement. Participants enjoy taking fun and memorable photos with friends and family, often using props and themed backgrounds provided by the photobooth service.

• Memorable Keepsakes: Renting a photo booth adds a touch of excitement to events and provides attendees with instant, personalized souvenirs to cherish.
• Innovative Revenue Stream: Charging for photo sessions offers a unique fundraising opportunity that combines entertainment with a tangible takeaway for participants.

Photo Booth rentals provide an entertaining and innovative way to engage the community while generating funds through memorable keepsakes and unique event experiences.

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23. Bake Sales

Bake sales are classic and effective fundraisers that bring communities together over homemade treats. Participants contribute by baking and donating goods such as cookies, cakes, and savory snacks, which are then sold at affordable prices. These events appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds, offering a delicious way to raise funds through direct sales. Bake sales are known for their simplicity and versatility, making them suitable for various settings from schools to community gatherings.

• Bake sales are timeless and bring people together. They're something everyone enjoys, regardless of their age.
• Community Engagement: Organizing a bake sale involves students, parents, teachers, and volunteers working together to bake goods, set up the sale, and interact with customers.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Ingredients for baked goods are relatively inexpensive, allowing for a high-profit margin. This means that a significant portion of the revenue generated goes directly towards the fundraising goal.

Bakes sales have been around quite some time, they are tried and true and easy to adapt to almost any event.

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24. Sports Tournaments

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Sports tournaments are exciting fundraising events that combine athleticism with community support. They involve organizing competitive matches in popular sports like soccer, basketball, or volleyball, with teams paying entry fees or securing sponsorships to participate.

• Active Engagement: Organizing sports tournaments encourages physical activity and teamwork among participants, promoting a healthy lifestyle and sportsmanship.
• Sporting Spirit: Tournaments create an atmosphere of excitement and friendly competition, attracting both players and spectators to support the fundraiser.

Sports tournaments energize communities through active engagement and sporting spirit while raising funds through competitive athleticism.

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25. Mom to Mom Sale

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This is the perfect solution to bring the community together, clean out clutter, and be green by allowing others to reuse items instead of trashing them!

• Community: This brings the community together into an engaging event where moms can mingle and shop at super discounted rates.
• Profitable: You charge for tables for moms or families to sell at but you also charge a couple dollar entry fee for shoppers. Moms bring in their used kid items and sell them to the community on a specified day.
• Win-Win:This event brings everyone together and offers families to clean things outwhile allowing others to make use of their gently used or new items.

This event has been around for years and it seems moms and families are raving about saving tons of money as opposed to buying brand new items for their children.