Plump your Piggy Bank
If you don’t mind digging around for coins… As simple as it seems, finding change in your family’s couch or just simply asking friends and family members for their coins,…
fundraising
Family Matches
If your family is willing to pitch in… Even though many people may like to support you, giving money is difficult. You can encourage your friends and family to help…
Coaster for a Cause
If you are a thrill seeker… Six Flags-affiliated amusement parks will occasionally hold “Coasters for a Cause” events during the month of May (or maybe other months of the year…
Create-Your-Own-A-Thon
If you are a goal setter and a go-getter… Organize a bike-a-thon, a pump iron-a-thon, a skate-a-thon, a walk-a-thon, a trash-a-thon, bowl-a-thon, jump-rope-a-thon, etc. Set a goal before you talk…
Drive-In Movie Night
If you are a movie buff… Find a place in your community to host your event. The location must have a flat surface where you can project the movie (i.e.…
Shave Your Head
If you aren’t too attached to a full head of hair… Create a campaign around shaving your head (or one of your friend’s head) by having people donate to your…
Pet Sitting
If you are good with animals… Depending on the type of pets you feel comfortable around, design a flyer that advertises your availability to pet sit for friends, family or…
Doggy Dip
If you don’t mind getting your hands wet… Host a doggie (or pet) wash for people that will pay to have you (and any friends you enlist) to bathe their…
Dog Walking
If you know owners who don’t have much time for their dog… Make posters to advertise so people know why you are fundraising. Charge per half hour or block walked.…
We’ve Got Spirit. How ’bout You?
If you are bursting with school spirit… Talk to your school principal about hosting a decorating contest (i.e. lockers, classroom doors, hallway posters, etc.). Be sure you get the appropriate…
Choose your Teacher’s Hair Color
If you have a teacher who is up for anything… Choose three to five outrageous colors and find a favorite teacher willing to dye his/her hair. Have students and faculty…
Valentine Balloons
If you enjoy playing Cupid… Selling helium balloons can be a great fundraiser around Valentine’s Day. Take orders 3 weeks prior to the holiday. Contact a local balloon shop to…
Tournament Snack Bar
If you are a sports fan… Ask your school if you can run the concession stand for a tournament and keep the profits as a fundraiser. Be sure you state…
Scrub-a-dub
If you are all about whipping up suds… Get permission from your school, church, or a local store to use its parking lot for your car wash. Advertise your car…
Recycle Electronics
If you have a stash of outdated devices… Ecophones Recycling Fundraiser could pay you up to $300 per item you recycle through their program (http://www.ecophones.com/). Ask parents, neighbors, co-workers and…
Gift Wrapping
If you have a pair of scissors and a roll of tape… Do some research to determine where you could volunteer during holiday seasons to wrap gifts. Often times, malls…
Print Address Labels
If you are good with a computer… Make return address labels and sell them for a set price (i.e. $5.00-$10.00 for 100 labels). Check local office supply stores to find…
Work Vouchers
If you are an all-around hard worker… Sell vouchers (or books of vouchers) entitling the buyer to an hour (or more) of work. You may want to design two types…
Paper or Plastic?
If you are always bagging your family’s groceries at the store… Bagging groceries for tips at your local grocery store is a fundraiser that requires some planning, but could yield…
Gophering
If you are detail oriented and can juggle many tasks at the same time… Devise a plan and time table to run errands for your friends and neighbors. Make flyers…
Colossal Clean Up
If you are a leader and can assemble an army of helpers… Contract with the management of your local fairgrounds or stadium to do cleanup after a major event. Recruit…
Garage Sale
If you know a lot of people who need to purge some belongings… Gather and organize any unwanted items from your family and friends. Enlist your friends and family to…
Yard Work
If you like fresh-cut grass and a little dirt under your nails… After getting permission from your parents, go door-to-door in your neighborhood and offer to wash windows or cars,…
Guest Chef
If you don’t need a sous chef to make a meal… Offer your cooking skills to families that might find they don’t have enough time to cook a meal at…
Create a Cookbook
If you are well organized… Ask you friends, family, classmates, teachers, etc. to submit their favorite recipes to you for inclusion in your cookbook. Spend some time thinking about how…
Master of the Kitchen
If you can channel your inner Gordon Ramsay… Make a list of the items you are able to make. You could sell cookies, pies, cakes and brownies, or go bigger…
Host an Internationally-Themed Dinner
If you are good in the kitchen… Host an internationally-themed dinner party where you make a cuisine from your future host country! If you prefer getting some help rather than…
Cooking for Cash
If you are a party planner… Organize a school-, church- or community-wide spaghetti dinner, ice cream social, salad bar, omelet or pancake breakfast, etc. When setting the price of each…
Approach Charitable Organizations
If you are good at making connections… Charitable organizations are usually comprised of business owners and well-connected people in your community. Charitable organizations will most likely be able to either…
Local AFS Fundraising
If you are a people person… Ask your local AFS area team volunteers about raising funds collectively. With the assistance of the volunteers, organize event(s) with other local AFS students…
Parents Night Out
If you enjoy babysitting… Offer one night (several nights) or a full Saturday / Sunday for parents to let you watch their kids. This fundraiser works at any time during…
Care Package Campaign
If you are creative, crafty, and caring… Compile a list of care package themes and the desired contents for each package to sell to people who want a gift for…
Silent Auction
If you have retail connections… Host a silent auction using donated items as a stand alone event or in conjunction with another fundraiser.Invite your friends, family, and members of the…
Corporate Sponsorships
If you are a go-getter and like talking to new people… Brainstorm (with your parents) a list of local businesses you could ask to sponsor you. Be prepared to explain…
Sponsorship Letter
If you know a lot of people that live far away… Write a letter introducing yourself, why you are fundraising, your motivations to study abroad and details about AFS. There…
Mass Email Campaign
If you have oodles of contacts in your address book… Using email is a great way to get the word out, however, it’s not enough to send out one email…
Food For Funds
If you have friends and family that like to eat at restaurants… Visit a few restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries in your town and speak with a manager about whether…
Airplane Ticket Giveaway
If you know someone with lots of reward miles… Ask a family member or a family friend who travels a lot to donate his/her frequent flyer miles for a domestic/international…
Email Newsletter
If you laugh in the face of deadlines… Sell subscriptions to a personal newsletter about your experience while you are on program. Determine how often you can write the newsletter…
Art Auction
If you are tight with some artists… Ask your artist friends or local artists in your community to help you create art. You could also create the art yourself. You…
Etsy Shop
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit… Etsy.com is similar to eBay, but for individual people selling their own art, crafts, jewelry, or vintage items. You can sign up for an account…
Skeins of Yarn
If you know how to knit or crochet… Create knitted or crocheted items, such as scarves, bags, socks, or hats to sell as a fundraiser. Ask your friends and fellow…
I’m With the Band
If you know a good band or singer… Ask the band or singer to perform at your fundraising event. Find a location, start preparing and advertising a couple months ahead…
Art Fundraiser
If you have an eye for design… Many stores (i.e. Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, etc.) offer photo services where you can use your own photos to create personalized coffee mugs,…