A Whole Bunch of Ways to Raise Money

 1. Ask – Let’s start with the simplest, although for many not the easiest, way to raise money.  Just ask.  Carry some pledge forms  with you. [Click here to download the form] Tell everyone you know that you’re raising money to help the poor and homeless and ask for their support.  Doing this one thing should quickly get you to your $100 goal and beyond.

For more details on what TOP does with the money, CLICK HERE.

2. Sell luminaires for the Night in a Box Wall of Light for the Poor -   To learn more, Click Here. We also have a special order form for you to use in your fundraising efforts. Click Here to Download the Form or contact us and we’ll send you full-color forms free of charge.

3. Delegate – Give your family and friends pledge forms and ask them to help you reach your fundraising goal.

 4. Seek donations from businesses you patronize – Write down all the places you regularly buy goods and services from.  Take a pledge form and letter (for a sample letter, CLICK HERE) and ask them to sponsor you.  Here are a few suggestions:  doctor, dentist, veterinarian, mechanic, barber, hair stylist, coffee shop, restaurants, sweet shop, insurance agent, dry cleaner, chiropractor, hardware store, pet supply or feed store… well, you get the idea.

5. Hire yourself out for chores to raise funds – “Rent a Teen”, “Rent a Handyman” “Rent a Maid” “Rent a Cook” “Rent a Dog Walker” are just a few of the approaches you could take.  When people know they are giving to a good cause, they can be quite generous.

 6. Hold a Garage or Yard Sale – In your signs and ads make sure you say it’s for “Night in a Box to help the local poor and homeless.” Put out some baked goods and sell lemonade to raise some extra money.  You can also put out a donation jar.  Be sure to put out some Night in a Box Flyers.

 7. Flea Market – Don’t want the hassles of a yard or garage sale?  Sell that same stuff at a flea market.  You will probably have to pay a fee for the table, but you don’t have to worry about all the promotion and stuff.  Make a sign that says proceeds help local poor and homeless people. Make sure to take a stack of flyers and pledge forms with you.

 8. Change for the Poor – Put out jars at local businesses for people to donate their change.  You can also give jars to your friends and family members and ask them to dump their change into it every day.  A little change from a lot of people adds up quickly. 

 9. Speaking of change – Take jars with you to any group gatherings.  Tell people what you are raising money for and ask them to donate their change.  You can do this at a ball game, picnic or similar event. Just be sure to ask permission of the right people if necessary.

 10. Car Wash – This old standby fundraiser still works.   

 11. Lemonade Stand – A great fundraiser on a hot day.

 12. Bake Sale – Check with a local business that has a lot of sidewalk traffic.

 13. Benefit Night – Ask a local restaurant to host a benefit night for your fundraising effort.  You will promote the night to as many people as you can in exchange for a percentage (10% is a suggested amount) of the evening’s sales.  The restaurant gets additional business, you raise funds.

 14. Host a [fill-in-the-blank] tournament – Find a place (maybe even your home) to host a tournament of some kind: video games, board games, card games, pool, etc.  Charge an entry fee.  In your advertising, let people know that you are raising money to help poor and homeless people through TOP’s Night in a Box.

 15. Music for Money – Do you sing or play an instrument well?  Set up in a public place and play music for donations.  Make sure people know you are raising money for Night in a Box to help the Poor.

 16. NO Music for Money – Do you sing or play an instrument really badly?  Set up in a public place and accept donations for NOT singing or playing an instrument.  Set a time limit for how long a donation lasts.  For example, you will keep quiet for $2 a minute.  If nobody donates another $2 after that minute is up, start making racket again. Special Note:  this works great for people who don’t mind making fools of themselves.  Let your local media know you are doing this. It will generate a lot of publicity.  You might also want to check with authorities to make sure you don’t cross the line for disturbing the peace. 

 18. Sit for Support – Be a house-sitter, pet-sitter or baby-sitter for donations.

 19. Host a dinner or breakfast– Spaghetti Dinners and Pancake Breakfasts are still great fundraisers.  You can combine them with concerts, auctions, silent auctions or cake auctions for an extra boost.  Great one for a group.