Fundraisers with a Destination Theme

One important part of fundraising is to get your benefactors on board with the plan.  You want them to care about where they are sending you and why.  If your senior class trip has an educational bent, make sure people understand that.  If somewhere farther away and more expensive, emphasize the once-in-a-lifetime factor.  If you can't get people behind the experience, you certainly won't get them to give above and beyond whatever you are selling.

Think of your destination and research all that it has to offer young people.  Consider museums, the meeting of various cultures,  a celebration of the arts.  Try to incorporate the themes behind your destination into your fundraising.  If Hawaii, consider creating a water carnival for children this summer.   Use slip-n-slides, sprinklers, water-balloons, and maybe even invest in a blow-up water slide or two.  Maybe you could even get these from families on loan.  That much water can be a big expense as well, so consider other ideas along the island theme - a luau perhaps or simply a tropical carnival with your typical bean-bag toss kind of games.  You could charge admission - or probably more effective, just ask for donations and/or have a concession stand at the location.

For New York graduation trips, focus on the meeting of art, history, and culture.  Maybe do a craft day with children and then hold a gallery for their parents.   For Orlando, consider Disney Days at school with costume contests and monetary voting.  For Chicago, consider selling pizza.  Lots of companies offer fundraisers that involve selling of food items, including pizza.  Work out a delivery system that people will appreciate and add a touch of the Chicago theme with costumes or free giveaways like a book from Oprah's book club!

Get creative with your fundraising, work together, and you may be surprised at what you can accomplish.