There are many funding resources available that may help you realize your goal. These sources can include your organization, sponsorships from independent companies, and fundraisers (the nature of your group and trip may determine which finance source will be a better fit).

Depending on the type of group you have, such as a group going abroad, you may qualify for grants to cover or offset your travel costs.

As you may know, the easy, most convenient fundraisers are car washes, bake sales, yard sales, candy sales…all types of sales. Some tend to be more fruitful than others, but in this article, we will explore ways to make the traditional seem fresh and new.

Car Wash
Instead of doing the usual group with suds and buckets, try putting a creative spin on the event to attract more customers and volunteers. How about a tiki-themed or Hawaiian-themed car wash? Volunteers can wear tropical gear to wash cars. Have some surf music playing in the background. Give your customers little plastic leis and punch while they wait for their car to get washed.

Also, what about a clown or circus car wash? Volunteers can wear face paint and/or clown noses and wigs. Customers can snack on little cupcakes, hot dogs, or popcorn while they wait. Young customers can get their faces painted or have a balloon sculpture made. Can any of your volunteers juggle or do neat tricks? Someone can be a ringmaster while they collect the donations.

Bake/Dinner Sale
It seems that themed events always win people over. Try a themed sale, featuring Spanish or French dishes and desserts. Or, if your town or region has its own famous cuisine, base your menu around it.

Can you pull off your own version of Iron Chef? Invite chefs from well-known restaurants in your area to volunteer in a face-off cooking event. Charge your customers by the plate or just an entry fee to witness the action and sample the results.

Send the Boss / Administrator to the Roof
This idea is from www.stepbystepfundraising.com. In short, people are motivated to sell more by the idea that the group leader (or whomever) would pitch a tent on the roof of the building and camp out there for the night or weekend once the goal is met.

Yard Sale
A church in Virginia holds a gigantic yard sale once a year. People from the church and community donate the goods, and church organizers sort and sell the items for the event. The lot is divided by category (appliances, toys, clothes, furniture, etc.), and from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m., shoppers can browse, negotiate, and buy in a department store-styled fashion. This year alone, they raised $40,000!

This article is courtesy of Fellowship Travel, www.fellowship.com.