Central California

The following ideas should be used as a supplement to your letter and online campaign. Fundraising events require more time, effort, and money and their outcomes are not always as reliable as the letter writing campaign. If you decide to host a special event, please make sure to read and complete the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Third Party Agreement (included in this section).

Look over these fundraising ideas and decide what works best for you. If you have any questions, contact your mentor or Team manager.

SPECIAL EVENTS

(Example: Wine Tasting, Silent Auction, etc.)

Keys to a successful event:

• Start planning right away.
  
• Do something you enjoy. Only host a dinner party if you enjoy cooking! Only organize a volleyball tournament if you love playing volleyball! 
  
• Secure location. Check with your church or a group that you, or someone you know, works with.
• Do a lot of marketing: Get the word out to everyone: co-workers, friends, family, business associates, neighbors, etc. Use email invites to spread the word quickly. Make posters for the venue and also post them at neighboring venues. Tell each guest to bring a friend or two. Invite your TNT team and have your staff person email out information to other LLS teams.
• Develop a timeline. If you have a limited amount of time, this may not be for you. Never set an event after your fundraising deadline.
• Get everything possible donated! (i.e. tickets, program, invitations, food, etc.)
  Click HERE for a Sample Solicitation Letter & Third Party Agreement
• Determine your costs. Event costs can get away from you if you don't make a plan and research what you will need.
• Publicize your event.  If no one knows, no one will come! Think TV, radio, flyers, etc.
• Recruit volunteers. Make sure that you tell your mentors so that they can help you.

Turn Key Fund Raising Ideas!!

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Ideas for special events are only limited by your imagination!

Every Day Fundraisers:

• 80's Themed Party
• Bake Sale
  (Additional Bake Sales info)
• Bowling Party
• Bunco Party
  (Bunco Rules)
• Car Wash
• Celebrity Bartending
• Dinner and a Show
  (Additional Dinner/Show Info)
• Fiesta Party
• Gift of Life
• Hollywood Theme
• Ice Cream Social
• Kids Night Fundraiser
  (Additional Kids Night Info)
• Lemonade Stand
• Luau Party
  (Additional Luau Party Info)
• Mother's Spa Fundraiser
• Movie Night
• Online Auction
• Pool Party BBQ
• Yard Sale
• Head Shaving? Totally Baldacious!
• Raffle a day off with pay - donated by your Boss 
• Sell tickets for a Casual Day at work. 
• Book and Video Sale< 
• Cater lunch at work - $7 - $10 per plate
• Cookie Contracts - sell a 6 month contract for $500. Get supplies donated! 
• Become a fundraising project for a Boy or Girl Scout troop or High School club
• Be part of your Team Raffle 
• Sign a shirt to wear in the race - $ per signature 
• Reminder postcards - they still work! 

Seasonal Fundraisers:

• Spring Fundraiser
• Super Bowl Party
• Valentine's Fundraiser
• St. Patrick's Day
• Halloween Fundraiser
• Holiday Boutique
• New Years Fundraiser
• Sell balloons or flowers for Holidays 
• Holiday Craft and Bake Sales  
• Deserts for holidays 
• Holiday Basket Raffle 
• Throw a holiday party and charge $10.00 per person 

Parties/Catalog Sales/"a-THONS":

• Pampered Chef - often offers you 10-15% profit based on sales. Sometimes the representative will match that percentage!  
• Tupperware - have a party or a catalog sale. 
• <Gold Canyon - candles - party or catalog-www.goldcanyoncandle.com  
• Dutch Gardens - bulb sales- www.dutchgardens.com
• Doug Out Cookie - sell cookie dough - see store/LLS office for flyer
• See's Candy - www.sees.com or 800-SEES-123
• Yoga Party! - Perfect Balance Yoga in Fresno (Fresno/Shaw) will teach a 1 ½ hour yoga class for you. They will also set up a table for you to have refreshments after if you choose. You charge the admission (they suggest at least $10) and all proceeds go to your fundraising goal. The studio will hold up to 30 people. Contact the LLS Office or Perfect Balance Yoga at 222-6212 to schedule a date.

Do you or someone you know have a business that could have an "A-Thon" for you? How about a Massage-A-Thon or a Cut-A-Thon. Talk with vendors that you go to often to see if they will help you out. They can either donate part or all of the proceeds or a day or limited time to your fundraising goal. Even if you don't know someone directly, does a relative or friend of yours know someone? Get the word out that you are fundraising and see what happens!

Restaurant Charity Days:

Many local restaurants will donate a portion of the proceeds of sales for a certain number of hours or even a whole day. Here is a short list. 

• Me N Eds 
• Big Bubba's
• Chipotle
• Jamba Juice
• Elephant Bar
• Eureka Burger
• Chili's
• Sweet Tomatoes 
• Hot Dog on a Stick

If you are unsure, ask the management.