BFKS Toolkit

Ways to Raise Money 

• Host a silent auction in the workplace. Employees can bring in items from their home, each department can create nice gift baskets (i.e. a movie pack with a few movies, microwave popcorn and candy), or the employer can donate items such as company sweatshirts, paid time off, gift certificates, etc. Each item can be displayed for a set period of time and auctioned. Hand made items like quilts and wood carvings as well as high-valued items like parking places near the entrance of large companies tend to auction very well.
• Challenges between management and employees. Each organization can set a goal; when the goal is reached the organization head or manager must sacrifice something. Successful challenges in the past have included a principal kissing a pig, a boss publicly shaving his head, etc. With school and church groups this challenge could be as simple as a coin war.
• Challenges between departments. Organizations that have multiple departments or affiliations can set a fundraising goal per department. The first department to meet their goal wins. A pizza party in an inexpensive way to reward the winning department.
• Social events for charity. Civic clubs, church groups and greek organizations have successfully held car washes and dances, all proceeds benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass.
• Provide lunch for a donation. An organization can provide pizza, chili dogs, hamburgers, desserts, etc. and allow employees to purchase these items during their lunch breaks.
• Host a potluck. Each employee or member that wishes to participate contributes a dish and a monetary donation to the event.
• Casual Day. Employees contribute a donation for the opportunity to wear jeans on Fridays.
• Bake sales and pie auctions. Employees and members can either bake or purchase a dessert to be either sold or auctioned.
• Vending Machines. Companies that have onsite vending machines can choose to donate their proceeds to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass.
• Organizational Sales. Companies can choose to sell an item at their business or restaurant donating proceeds to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. One company sold samples of a product for $0.25, all proceeds benefitted BBBS.
• Tournaments. Tournaments like Cornhole and WII provide a social event and a great fundraising opportunity. 

For more information about setting up a fundraiser to help your team raise money for Bowl For Kids' Sake contact your local Big Brothers Big Sisters office, call toll-free at 800.201.8797. 

If you have a unique idea that helps you raise funds each year please share your idea with us so that we can make this years Bowl for Kids' Sake a huge success for all the children served in our communities.