Fall has arrived!  This is a fantastic time of year to tap into the seasonal spirit and hold some unique fundraising events.

Pumpkin carving contest– This type of event is always popular this time of year.  It can be held in someone’s yard, in a local park or playground, or anywhere that has enough space.  You’ll want to stock up on pumpkins and carving kits (local farms may be willing to donate pumpkins and carving kits can usually be picked up for a minimal charge at craft and discount stores).  Charge each contestant an entrance fee and maybe even sell cider or hot chocolate during the event.  You can even combine this with a pumpkin themed bake sale too.

Chili cook-off– Round up your neighbors for a tasty competition!  Block party, anyone?

Rake-a-thon- Ask homeowners for a suggested donation and in exchange volunteers rake their leaves.  (Check with local schools, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, or civic organizations to see if they’d be willing to volunteer).

Trading cards– Many clients print their own trading cards and hand them out wherever they can. Taking the kids out trick or treating?  Hand out cards along the way.  Grabbing coffee in the morning?  Leave a stack on the counter.  Picking up some groceries?  Check with management to see if you can post one to their store bulletin board.  You may even want to add a QR code that leads directly to your fundraising page.  There are so many inventive ways to tell your story and spread the word about NEADS!

Ghost Story Contest – This is one of my favorites!  Writers can donate a set amount to enter their story into the contest (donations can go through your fundraising page or you can collect the funds and send them to NEADS).  Make sure you have a group of people arranged to read through the stories and select a winner, or winners.  Offer a prize for the winning story – bragging rights don’t count – and find a way to share that story with everyone.  If you want to make this into an event you can have people gather in an outdoor space and read the winning story around a nice toasty fire.   Add in some smores kits for an additional donation to NEADS.  Who doesn’t love a spooky story on a chilly fall night, right?

These are just a few examples of the many ways that clients fundraise in the fall.  Feel free to come up with your own ideas and chose methods that appeal to you. And most importantly…have a safe and happy October!