ROTARY DISTRICT 5040 FUNDRAISING IDEAS

 

The fundraising resource base was initiated by Craig Lester, Ex-president of Smithers-Alpine who moved to Calgary in Jan, 2007. We invite you to continue sharing your club fundraising ideas, please send submissions to Carl Eddy, secretary of Smithers-Alpine Rotary Club at carl.eddy@investorsgroup.com

 

To see details on each fundraiser, press CTRL and click on the Fundraiser.

 

 

Table of Content:

 

Wine Food & Music Festival

Festival of Beers

Pancake Breakfast (Billy Barker Days)

Garage Sale

Sports Game Pool (I.E. Football)

Volunteer for Other Organizations

Golf Tournament and Auction

Rotary CNIB Night Golf

Rotary Radio TV Auction

Foundation Night Dinner & Auction

Annual Dinner Auction

Diamond Calcutta

Duck Drop

Christmas Cash Lottery

Pub Night Fundraiser / Social Event

Annual Spring Gala (Live and Silent Auction)

Annual Bike-A-Thon

To the Heart of the Matter

The Spring Fling

 

 

 

WINE FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of BURNABY METROTOWN

 

Description:

  • A fun filled community event at the local Mall to raise funds for local and global projects.
  • Wine Merchants offering wine tasting, local restaurants offering hors d’houvres and local symphony orchestra providing musical entertainment.
  • Attendees found it to be great value and fun. Funds were raised through sponsorship, ticket sales, 50-50 and raffle tickets.

 

Variations: Have a variety of food and an orchestra made it a unique wine fest.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

 

  • Cash sponsorship can be challenging and needs to be done early.
  • Close communication with the mall is essential for success.

 

Potential: Net between $15,000 - $30,000. Having cash sponsorship and high ticket sales with substantial Silent Auction will increase the dollars raised.

 

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FESTIVAL OF BEERS

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of Quesnel

 

Description:

  • Friday evening event in October providing an alternative to going to a local bar while fundraising for a good cause, and experiencing either new-to-market or not-so-common beers.
  • Entry ticket provides 3 initial samples (further samples purchased via pre-paid tickets), entry into door prize draw and a free sample glass.
  • Most members are involved on the night as servers, plus set-up and clean-up. Prizes are donated.

 

Variations: Additional drawers e.g. for a beer-filled beer fridge

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Running out beer-be sure to have an outlet on standby.
  • Don’t stay open beyond 11pm-reduces potential for disorderly conduct.
  • Same beers year after year-event soon becomes stale unless new items are brought in each year.
  • Venue capacity-Friday night is THE night, be sure to have a big enough venue (we serve 400)

 

Potential: $3,000+

 

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST (BILLY BARKER DAYS)

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of Quesnel

 

Description:

  • In conjunction with Billy Barker Days but obviously do-able for any suitable occasion,
  • Our version gives each customer with 2 eggs, 2 sausages, 2 pancakes for $5 ($4 for kids and seniors) and runs Saturday and Sunday mornings.
  • Most members are involved on the days in question and we serve over 400 people over those two days.

 

Variations: Multiple-for us this is a long-standing part of Billy Barker Days weekend.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Organization-supplies must be pre-bought, and a crew must be in place from as early as 5am to ensure all is ready for 7am start (tables, chairs, grills, coffee.) We have a manual which is reviewed and enhanced after each Breakfast
  • Weather-outdoors event, so make sure you have some awnings or cover of some sort.
  • Easy to spend your profit on rent-we have gradually purchased equipment to be able to retain more of the gross takings.
  • Same beer selection year-after-year-event becomes stale.
  • Running out of beer-have a definite, confirmed back-up plan.
  • Limited venue capacity-aim to serve 400.

 

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GARAGE SALE

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of BURANABY METROTOWN

 

Description: Members collect items and sell to the community on a Saturday.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Make sure you have a plan to get rid of left over items.
  • Price items very low for easy sale.

 

Potential: Raised $800.

 

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SPORTS GAME POOL (i.e. football)

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of BURNABY METROTOWN

 

Description:

  • Participants fill out sheets to predict outcome of games.
  • One member organizes this and gives members reports via email and at meetings.

 

Potential: Raised $200

 

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VOLUNTEER FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of SMITHERS – ALPINE

 

Description:

  • Our club volunteered to do the 50/50 and Puck Toss for local Senior Men's Hockey team during one of their games and came away with 500 dollars for our efforts.
  • The great thing about this is there is no organization of the event needed, simply round up your volunteers and get out and sell tickets!

 

Variations: Many different organizations are always looking to carry out activities, which can be used as a fundraiser for groups.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for: Ensure you have enough volunteers

 

Potential: Depending on the event and the group you are working. In our fundraising endeavour we raised 500 dollars.

 

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GOLF TOURNAMENT AND AUCTION

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of SMITHERS – ALPINE


Description:

  • The aim of the Golf Tournament is to provide a fun filled event for many to take part-in.
  • You include mulligans for a price as a good way to raise funds.
  • You follow the tournament with a good dinner and an auction to raise money for your club.
  • You put together a program for the event, in which you invite local businesses to advertise in to raise money.

 

Variations: Many different activities can take place during the event to make it more profitable from a fundraising point of view.


Pitfalls to watch out for: Your tournament and auction must have a strong turn-out for the event to be profitable.


Potential: The program and auction are your big fundraisers, for us we net over 10 thousand dollars from the event every year.

 

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ROTARY CNIB NIGHT GOLF

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of Quesnel


Description:

  • September evening event-nine-hole scramble played in the dark with glow balls.
  • Teams of 4, best ball, with two teams at each hole starting (and, hopefully, finishing) at the same time.
  • Prizes for everyone (obtained by donation)

 

Variations: Event could be played in the warmer summer, however would have to start later in the evening due to daylight.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Poor weather.
  • Registration-allow pre-registration of teams to avoid possible poor turnout
  • Golf tournament overload-multiple events during the summer can dilute community energy for yet another.


Potential: $1500+ - green fees is the biggest expense, otherwise it’s almost clear profit which we then donate on to CNIB.

 

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ROTARY RADIO TV AUCTION

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of Quesnel/Smithers


Description:

  • 3-evening event auctioning off items donated by people and businesses throughout the community.
  • Event is broadcast live on Community Channel as well as local radio station.
  • Items range in value from $25 to $2500 and more

 

Variations:

  • Use website to include pictures of items going to auction.
  • Encourage donors to change their item(s) from year to year to ensure variety


Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Succession planning-make sure that each key role can be handled by more than one Club member, especially the Committee Chair and Auctioneer.
  • Make sure all speakers are comfortable and competent in the role.
  • Multitude of small-ticket (ie $25 - $50) items detracts from larger-ticket eg $100+


Potential: $25,000 after costs-with focused approach to auction items and media-friendly reduced expenses, this number could easily rise.

 

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FOUNDATION NIGHT DINNER & AUCTION

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of QUESNEL SUNRISE 2000

 

Description:

  • The past 2 or 3 years we have held this night jointly with the Rotary Club of Quesnel.
  • We sell tickets to Rotary members and their invited guests for a dinner.
  • Auction items are donated by members and businesses.
  • A dance follows the auction.

 

Variations:

  • Each table brings a dessert which is also auctioned off.
  • A large table of silent auction items is also available.

 

Potential: By having both clubs work together, we share the costs and the proceeds. Each club nets between $5 and $7 thousand dollars each year.

 

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ANNUAL DINNER AUCTION

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of VANCOUVER

 

Description:

  • Silent and live auction for donated items secured by the membership.
  • Dinner and dancing to live entertainment.

 

Variations: A lunch event rather than dinner without the entertainment has been tried. The live auction is optional but the most fun.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Donation of quality items is important. Too many $10 and $20 items lower the interest level and participation.
  • Members need to encourage friends and associates to attend to increase numbers.

 

Potential: $30,000 to 40,000

 

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DIAMOND CALCUTTA

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of QUESNEL SUNRISE 2000

 

Description:

  • Ladies only event.
  • Men dress in Tux’s and are waiters for the event.
  • RCMP members in Red Serge are at the door to escort ladies to their table when they arrive. Tickets are sold in advance @$50 each.
  • Includes Dinner, Entertainment, and many draw prizes. Prizes are donated by local businesses and members.
  • All names of attendees are entered in the draw.
  • Through out the evening names are pulled from the bucket and crossed off the board.
  • Each 5th name drawn wins a prize. The last 3 names at the end of the evening win the 3rd, 2nd and Grand Prize. (Grand Prize is a Diamond Ring valued at $1000.) Usually have a weekend for 2 somewhere, or a spa package etc.
  • Very popular and there is always a waiting list of ladies wanting to get tickets to the event.

 

Variations: Many different types of draws and raffles, 50/50’s etc can go on during the evening.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Make sure no one who comes in the door gets missed, names must be recorded and put into the draw.
  • Have 2 people looking after the money.
  • Waiters and raffle 50/50 ticket sellers are accountable for their float and turn all money over to those 2 people.
  • Have a ride home program available for those that over due the alcohol.

 

Potential: Our largest fundraiser of the year. Made almost $10,000 last year.

 

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DUCK DROP

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of QUESNEL SUNRISE 2000

 

Description:

  • Lottery, sell tickets prior to the City’’s annual BILLY BARKER DAYS in July.
  • On the last day of the weekend we drop wooden numbered ducks into the creek.
  • The first, second and third to reach the bridge are the winners.
  • Holders of corresponding numbered ticket win cash prize.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Ducks must be sorted prior to dumping for unsold ticket numbers.
  • Make sure ducks don’t get hung up on the banks of the creek.
  • Problem to catch ducks at the bridge so they don’t carry on down into the river.

 

Potential: Club makes between $2,000 and $3,000 each year.

 

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CHRISTMAS CASH LOTTERY

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of QUESNEL SUNRISE 2000

 

Description:

  • Raffle tickets, cash prizes of $1000, 500 and 250.
  • Draw is made at club meeting right before Christmas

 

Pitfalls to watch out for: Sometimes it is difficult to sell raffle tickets at this time of year with so many other places for people to spend their money.

 

Potential: $1,000 - $2000 depending on how many tickets are sold. This could increase with more tickets being sold in a larger club.

 

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PUB NIGHT FUNDRAISER / SOCIAL EVENT

 

Submitted By: Rotary Club of RICHMOND SUNRISE

 

Description:

  • Sell $20 tickets to pub night dinner.
  • Pub retains $3.00 per meal. 70 lbs baron of beef donated and pub has pasta/salad bar.
  • One door prize (wine basket) created by member donations of wine &/or money.
  • We also sell $10 raffle tickets for another wine basket for people who would like to contribute but can't make the pub night.

 

Variations: Can have a raffle or 50/50 draw at the pub as well. Can coordinate the event so that it is at a pub that has music and dancing.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Find a pub that will work with you and will be flexible around your expectations.
  • Our meat donation raised the dinner tickets from $10 (pasta and salad only) to $20 per meal. ($17 profit per meal as opposed to $7).
  • The pub agreed to cook the meat at no additional cost.
  • Get money and/or wine early to create 2 wine basket prizes (could do other prizes but since our club does an annual auction and silent auction and already donates prizes we don't want to stress our members).
  • Make sure you have a gaming license for the $10 raffle.
  • Works best if you have a goal in mind. e.g. LED projector for speaker presentations.

 

Potential: $1500.00. There is no limit to $10 tickets that can be sold.

 

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ANNUAL SPRING GALA (Live and Silent Auction)

 

Submitted By: Rotary Club of RICHMOND SUNRISE

 

Description: Annual Spring Gala (Live and Silent Auction)

 

Variations: Entertainment varies from year to year (dancing some years, musical revues another.) For the past few years held at the Executive Airport Plaza in Richmond. Other venues used in the past.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Start early. Our event is in May, but we start planning in the fall.
  • Volunteer burnout.
  • Ensure your committee is large enough to spread some of the work around. Document procedures to assist next year’s committee.
  • Historically, we have always sold out, the main challenge is acquiring quality prizes in a timely fashion.
  • Database is critical to success in order not to duplicate requests, target prizes.

 

Potential: Raises between $30,000 - $50,000 annually.

 

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ANNUAL BIKE-A-THON

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of VANCOUVER

 

Description:

  • Ride from Brentwood Mall in Burnaby to Harrison Hot Springs-120km.
  • Riders raise pledges in support of the RHF Hearing Foundation.
  • Riders and families enjoy the Hotel facilities and end the day with a celebration banquet.
  • Prizes are donated and special draws are held for riders who raise over $500 in pledges.
  • Riders and bikes are transported back to Brentwood by bus and truck.

 

Variations:

Ride alone, ride as a team member (there is a team trophy for most pledges), ride as a relay member and do a portion of the ride.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Riders who do not raise pledges.
  • Road conditions and bad drivers are a hazard.
  • Need many volunteers to man the checkpoints and organize the event at Harrison.

 

Potential: We raise over $100,000 each year in support of the hearing impaired in BC.

 

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TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of New Westminster-Royal City

 

Description:

  • Annual fun filled Valentine’s event in Feb of each year.
  • Includes Silent Auction, Live Auction, Reverse Draw and Raffe – Entrance ticket includes chance at $1,000 Reverse Draw and many interim prizes.
  • Great food and good turn-out to raise funds for many International Projects and our local Monarch Place (safe house for women escaping violence).
  • Prizes are donated and special draws are held for riders who raise over $500 in pledges.
  • Riders and bikes are transported back to Brentwood by bus and truck.

 

Variations:

We are approaching our tenth annual, and so are looking for a new twist to celebrate our 10th.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Takes lots of organization by the three partners involved: Royal City Rotary, Burnaby Rotayr and Monarch Place.

 

Potential: The net proceeds have come close to our $40,000 target in each of the recent years – this is split three ways between the three partners.

 

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THE SPRING FLING

 

Submitted by: Rotary Club of New Westminster-Royal City

 

Description:

  • A causal and fun rock and roll dance.
  • An after dinner event on Saturday night..
  • Live band and 10 pm slack

 

Variations:

  • Trying a new hall this year.
  • But trying to keep it fun, simple and causal, like an old fashion Sock hop.
  • Have a few live and silent auction items to augment the dance proceeds.

 

Pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Keep the cost down to get the people out.

 

Potential: The last years (in early May) we netted over $8,000 each year – the proceeds went to a local walkway project (The Rotary Greenway) and thus was appealing to the local community and to Rotarians.

 

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