Fundraising Ideas
Welcome and thank you for your interest in organizing a fundraising activity for
Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Indiana. As you know, in order to build homes, 100% of the funding must be raised locally. While Habitat has an excellent brand name, we still have to work at raising the funds. Your willingness to help puts your support into action.
This book contains ideas and instructions on how your group may run a successful
event. It is organized into Parts. Part 1 is a summary of fundraising ideas. It is
designed for your group to review. Part 2 is more detail of the items found in Part 2 and is your instruction manual.
All fund‐raising ideas must be approved by the Executive Director. You can submit your fundraising plan by sending an email to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Depending on the fundraiser and the timing, we may be able to assist you.
List of Ideas
The following are ideas for fundraisers. One hammer 
is very easy to organize and run; whereas 5 hammers would be more complex. The more complex does not necessarily mean a greater return.
Buy a Board/Sign a Stud –A quantity of 2x4s are supplied by HFHCFC. For a donation of $ (you set the price) the donor signs their name, well wishes or draws a picture. These boards are then used in the construction of a house. Typical amount raised: $200‐400.
Ease of project:
Buy a Square Foot ‐ A Blueprint of the house is framed and numbered to reflect a square foot at the house. You sell the framed print for the price of the house’s square foot.
Ease of project:
Penny a Square – Ask for a donation of a penny for each square foot in someone’s home or business.
Good for a congregation or corporation where your goal is to cover 100% of all square footage.
Ease of project:
Penny War – Have teams compete on who is able to raise the most pennies. Teams win points for the type of coins brought in. Give the winning team a prize.
Ease of project:
Holiday and Special Day Cards ‐ Design cards for different holidays and special Days. Put together a special gift giving card for Mothers Day, Birthdays, Christmas… and donate money in lieu of gift giving.
Ease of project:
Flock of Flamingos ‐ A “flock” of flamingos—about 5‐10—are placed in the designated person’s front yard, and they must pay $25 to have them fly to somewhere else. Or residents can pay $50 for 90 days “insurance” not to have them put in their yard. Good for school groups.
Ease of project:
Build a Shed, Playhouse, or Doghouse – Build and auction of a garden shed, playhouse, or
doghouse. In the building designs, builders have incorporated as many construction techniques as possible. This also gives volunteers practical building experience before construction begins on the actual Habitat house. Good project with senior youth group.
Ease of Project:
Sponsor Dinners/Spaghetti Dinner ‐ Invite a speaker or a dance performance. Partner families make great speakers. Youth groups prepare the meal.
Ease of project:
Organize a Hike for Humanity – Hike a special walk, climb or mountain. Donors can sponsor an
individual; collect pledges.
Ease of project:
Tips/Change House. Give local sub shops, takeout restaurants or convenience stores a cardboard house for customers to put change in.
Ease of project:
Bake sales – Put a spin on it and have the men (include your local pastors, business
owners etc.) do the baking and put a cookbook together of the recipes.
Ease of project:
Sponsorship/Pay My Wages for a Day – Organize a group to ask for sponsors during a special build day or– Find sponsors who will pay min wage to build for a day.
Ease of project:
Recycle Cans – Collect bottles and cans with a deposit and turn them in to the redemption center. Proceeds go to HFHFNEI.
Ease of project:
Parents Night Out – Youth can provide babysitting services in return for a donation to Habitat.
Ease of project:
Rake Leaves/Shovel Snow – Put up posters offering to rake leaves/shovel snow/weed a garden in return for a set donation to Habitat.
Ease of project:
Calendars – Use local pictures or personalize with your building days.
Ease of project:
Sleep Out – Organize a sleep out and have participants get sponsors for the night. You can have a lot of fund with this one. Depending on the kids’ ages, you can have a bon fire, sing songs, play games, have snacks, etc.
Ease of Project:
Note Cards/Specialty Cards – Create note cards and specialty cards using drawings, photography produced by children. Cards may be general or holiday specific.
Ease of project:
Build a Birdhouse/Planter – Birdhouse kits can also be put together and sold to groups.
Ease of project:
Fundraising Detail
Buy a Board/Sign a Stud
Target Donors: Church groups, group gatherings, civic organizations
Endeavor Details:
• Habitat will supply 2x4 studs for your group to sell to individuals who would like to sign well wishes, their name, draw pictures and other messages.
• Many groups set a price of $5 ‐ $10. This will vary depending on your location.
Cost Analysis:
• Cost of permanent markers ‐<$10.00
Endeavored Revenue:
• Set your goal and let your audience know what it is. Do you want to raise enough to cover the
cost of windows, doors or the cost of a room? Typical sales generate $200‐400.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Links donation to a specific building project and cost association – is personal.
Marketing Approach:
• Easy fundraiser which a youth group can manage.
• Church/youth committees can offer it as a campaign approach to support HFHCFC.
o Make posters and inserts for church bulletins announcing the event.
• Set up at all Habitat Fundraisers – i.e. town common events, Buy a Board events etc.
Effort Required:
• Coordinate the delivery and pickup of boards with Habitat
• Create a sign announcing the event,
• Encourage all ages to participate,
• Signage for fundraising locations
• Food and beverage for social event.
Buy a Square Foot
Target Donors: Medium sized individual donors and small business
Endeavor Details:
• Donate the cost of building a square foot of designated project.
• Cost is determined by taking anticipated cost of house divided by square footage. Cost per square foot is currently $100.
• Habitat CFC has materials to help you with this.
• A framed blueprint can be presented to donors.
OPTIONAL:
• An open house social for all buyers of a square held after closing in of house construction.
• A grid is mapped out on the floor of the house and the buyer is invited to sign a message of
good will in their square.
Cost Analysis:
• Framed blueprint estimated at <$5
• Cost of support materials $25.00
Endeavored Revenue:
• $150,000 – Cost of a home.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Way for small businesses and organizations to be involved with small donations. Framed print
approach will showcase HFHCFC and the type of house we build.
• Way to create awareness (possibly press coverage) at public locations. Showcases the house
and the cost associated with it.
Marketing Approach:
• Community Partnerships to determine how to market within each respective town.
• Church committee can offer it as a campaign approach to support HFHCFC.
• Set up at all Habitat Fundraisers – i.e. town common events, Buy a Board events etc.
Effort Required:
• Create brochure, posters, church bulletin inserts, etc.
• Invitations to Social Event for donors
• Food and beverage for social event.
A Penny a Square Foot
Target Donors: Individuals, Organizations and Businesses in a respective town
Endeavor Details:
• The donation requested is a penny for each square foot of their own respective house or place of business (or church, town building, school etc).
• Try to engage local press in the campaign.
• Need volunteers to help run.
Cost Analysis:
• E‐mail campaign or personal appeal—IT’S FREE!!!
Endeavored Revenue:
• Approximately 10‐20% of towns square footage.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Makes donation personal. Also ties into feeling of appreciation for your own home and
reminds us that there are those who do not have homes.
• Low cost of donation – 2400 square foot house is $24.00.
• Can allow for youth committee activity.
Marketing Approach:
• Follow up with big square footage owners
• Press activities, photo opportunities, kick off campaign, follow up status, milestone
achievements
• Church and organization involvement
Effort Required:
• Volunteers
A Penny War
Target Donors: Schools, Scout Troops, Youth organizations
Endeavor Details:
• Assign teams. Schools may choose to have each grade compete against
each other or teams with a grade.
• Create posters and a thermometer chart for teams to track amount raised.
• Set the rules: Each coin counts at face value. However, additional points can
be given for coins or bills that are not pennies.
• Winning team earns a prize. Pizza party? Ask pizza shop for donation
Cost Analysis:
• Volunteers to manage the effort
• Cost of prize if not donated
Endeavored Revenue:
• Depends on size and number of groups. $100 to $10000.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Reinforces to youths of the need to give to someone in need.
• Low cost of donation – Shows “Every Penny Counts”.
• Way to create awareness.
• Engages youth.
• Sets up healthy competition
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Create a pamphlet to be given to youth and parents
• Ask school and adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Need Habitat CFC Logo—available from Development Department
• Team of students and parents to count money
Holiday and Special Day Cards
Target Donors: Churches, Schools, Scout Troops, Youth organizations
Endeavor Details:
• Create posters and inserts for bulletins.
• Have youth design Cards for special holidays such as Mother’s Day,
Father’s Day, Get well, etc.
• Cards may also be personalized in memory of or in honor of someone.
Cost Analysis:
• Cost of supplies (card stock, envelops and ink, stamps)
Endeavored Revenue:
• Depends on number of cards sold. Cards sold to honor or in memory of someone may vary
depending on donation. Could see $100‐200.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation.
• Way to create awareness.
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Ask adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Create Cards.
• Need Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County Logo and info for back of card.
Flock of Flamingos
Target Donors: Churches, Schools, Scout Troops, Youth organizations
Endeavor Details:
• Place Flamingos on target groups’ lawn and charge them to have them removed. Insurance could be sold to protect you from having Flamingos on your lawn.
Cost Analysis:
• Volunteers to manage the effort
• Cost of flamingos
• Paper supplies
Endeavored Revenue:
• $500.00.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation.
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Create flyers and insurance certificates
Effort Required:
• Drive around to various locations.
• Keep calendar of dates/locations and who has insurance.
Build a Shed/Playhouse
Target Donors: Senior Youths
Endeavor Details:
• Create posters.
• Decide how you will sell raffle tickets, when, where, set price and minimum amount needed to cover cost.
• Determine amount of time needed to build and deliver.
• Have adults committed to supervise the project
Cost Analysis:
• Cost of lumber and supplies
Endeavored Revenue:
• Depends on size and number of groups.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation
• Way to create awareness.
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Choose location for selling raffles
• Ask adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Obtain building plans and create materials list
Sponsor Dinners/Spaghetti Dinners
Target Donors: All ages/all groups
Endeavor Details:
• Create posters.
• Decide how you will sell tickets, when, where, set price and minimum amount
needed to cover cost.
• Determine amount of time needed to advertise and run event.
• Organize kitchen help and servers.
Cost Analysis:
• Cost of food (or ask for donations).
Endeavored Revenue:
• $200‐400.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation.
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Choose location for dinner
• Ask adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Organize help
Ease of Project:
Organize a Hike Team
Target Donors: All ages/all groups
Endeavor Details:
• Create posters.
• Create sponsor sheets.
Cost Analysis:
• Cost of food (or ask for donations).
Endeavored Revenue:
• Teams could generate $500 and up.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation.
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Ask people for sponsorship
Effort Required:
• Ask people to sponsor
• Collect pledges
Tip/Change House
Target Donors: All ages/all groups
Endeavor Details:
• Ask local restaurants, pizza shops, convenience stores if they would allow a house bank for customers to put change/donations in the house.
• Determine amount of time needed to speak with shop owners
Cost Analysis:
• Materials for house banks.
Endeavored Revenue:
•
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation.
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Make collection boxes/houses.
• Contact local stores and restaurants
• Ask adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Organize help
Bake Sale
Target Donors: All ages/all groups
Endeavor Details:
• Create posters.
• Decide on location and date
• Signup bakers and group to sell the items
• Put a spin on the event and have men do all the baking (include local pastors, selectmen, businessmen..).
• Think about taking orders ahead of time (such as for pies)
Cost Analysis:
• Very limited – supplies
Endeavored Revenue:
•
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation.
• Engages youth and adults/ families.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Choose location
• Ask people to bake
Effort Required:
• Organize help
Sponsorship/Pay my wages for a Day
Target Donors: All ages/all groups
Endeavor Details:
• Create posters.
• Organize a group and ask people to sponsor a special build day.
• Think about asking sponsors to pay your wages for the day (minimum wage would be an amount to ask)
Cost Analysis:
• minimum
Endeavored Revenue:
•
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation.
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Work with HFHGL to organize a day
• Ask adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Organize help
Ease of Project:
Recycle Can Boxes
Target Donors: All ages/all groups
Endeavor Details:
• Create posters.
• Obtain a recycle box from HFHGL
• Determine how many you will need.
• Will need volunteers to empty the boxes and bring
cans/bottles to recycle center
Cost Analysis:
• None, just your time
Endeavored Revenue:
• Depends on number of cans collected
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Choose location to place recycle boxes
• Ask adults to help with collection and recycling.
Effort Required:
• Minimal
Parent Night Out
Target Donors: Parents
Endeavor Details:
• Create posters.
• Spread the word – Will this be a town wide event or for a smaller audience.
• Organize a group of babysitting age youth and some adults for supervising
• Think of games, crafts, movie (age appropriate), snacks which will be needed.
• Location – depends on target group
• Advertise
Cost Analysis:
• Minimum, snacks and art supplies
Endeavored Revenue:
• Depends on number of children.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation.
• Engages youth and young adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• Choose location
• Ask adults to Chaperone
Effort Required:
• Organize help
Calendars
Target Donors: Parents
Endeavor Details:
• Decide on a theme for your calendar.
• What type of pictures will you use (drawings, photos…)
• Where and to whom will you sell them
• Create posters and flyers advertising your calendars
Cost Analysis:
• Cost of printing supplies and binding supplies
Endeavored Revenue:
• $200‐$500.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost.
• Engages youth and young adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters.
• How you will sell them
• Ask adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Organize help
Note Cards/Specialty Cards
Target Donors: Youth
Endeavor Details:
• Create a theme of such as “Home”.
• Ask youth to draw pictures with 4 different Home themes
• Pick the pictures and create a series of cards.
• Pictures should be scanned into computer and a card created. Leave inside blank. Add information about Habitat and your group on the back.
• Each gift bag will contain 12 cards (6 different designs)
Cost Analysis:
• Paper and printing
Endeavored Revenue:
• Example: Sell each pack for $10.
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation
• Way to create awareness.
• Engages youth and adults.
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters announcing the project and ask for drawings.
• Choose location for selling cards
• Ask adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Will need to scan pictures and create the cards.
Build a Birdhouse/Planter
Target Donors: Youth
Endeavor Details:
• Will you build a birdhouse or a planter or both
• Find plans for each project
• Design posters promoting project.
• Decide if you will pre‐sell or offer for sale at an event.
• Buy materials
Cost Analysis:
• Building material
Endeavored Revenue:
•
Benefits of Endeavor:
• Low cost of donation
• Way to create awareness.
• Engages youth and adults
Marketing Approach:
• Make Posters announcing the project. May want to ask for donation of materials.
• Choose location for selling birdhouses and planters
• Ask adults to support and give guidance
Effort Required:
• Will need to involve an adult to help with cutting wood.