FUNDRAISING IDEAS FOR TEENS

Want to make a big difference for your favorite cause? Harness the power of people working together, to raise money for those in need!

The great thing about doing your own fundraising, is that you get to choose the cause yourself. We've all got issues that are close to our hearts. Vegetarian teens might be most concerned about animal cruelty. If you've recently lost a loved one to a disease, you might want to raise cash for a foundation that's searching for the cure. Whatever your charitable goal, there's sure to be at least one worthy organization that's dedicated to the cause.

When you fundraise for a charitable cause, you're giving in more than one way. You're not only raising money, you're raising the awareness of everyone who hears about your event. Your contribution is truly meaningful.

So whether you want to raise money to help the Earth, animals, homeless children, or hungry families, Myjellybean.com has put together some ideas to get you started. (They're not just for teens either - get family members to pitch in to help make your fundraising efforts a success!)

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

Once your event is over, the easiest way to donate the cash you raised, is to put it all into a bank account. Then you can write one cheque to the charitable organization. Take pictures during your event, and send those to the charity too, along with a letter describing your fundraising event. Then the organization may use your event as an example to others. Who knows - you could even end up in a commercial campaign!

CREATIVE WAYS TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY:

Have a Bake Sale

Everyone loves a bake sale! Get friends and/or family to help you bake yummy treats like brownies and cookies, and offer them for sale to neighbors or schoolmates. Be sure to publicize your sale in advance with flyers, and make it clear the earnings will go to charity, so everyone knows where they can buy their feel-good goodies!

Have a Danceathon or Readathon

Ask your school office to cooperate with you in holding a Danceathon or Readathon. Create sheets for people to collect pledges from family, friends, and neighbors for each hour that they dance, or for each book that they read.

Costume Ball

Hold this event around Halloween. Or, throw a costume ball at another time of year, and just give it a theme (like "Celebrity Couples" or "Black and White"). Set up tables where you sell beverages (such as soda, juice, bottled water) for a slight profit. Charge admission. Donate the proceeds.

Talent Show

Hold a student-faculty talent show at your school. Sell tickets. Advertise the event. Charge admission. Donate the proceeds.

Student-Faculty Playoff

Compete for the benefit of others. Choose a sport - volleyball, basketball, etc. - and invite the rest of your school as well as parents to watch and cheer. Sell tickets or charge admission at the door.

Makeover Madness

Are you and your friends great at makeup application? Have a "Makeover Madness" party. Invite all of your girlfriends and get everyone to bring their own makeup. Do makeovers for a set fee.

Charity Car Wash

Hold a weekend car-wash to raise money. Create flyers to advertise your event and explain where the money will go that is earned.

Neighborhood Garage Sale

Get rid of junk and raise money for charity. Organize a neighborhood garage sale, where families on your street get together their old stuff (books, CDs, used clothes, household items, etc.). Put up flyers around the neighborhood to advertise the sale. Donate the profits to an agreed-upon charity organization.

Lemonade Stand

It's an oldie, but a goodie! Sell lemonade at an outdoor table. Post a sign at your stand, to let people know the proceeds are being donated to a worthy cause. Make your own lemonade, or just use store-bought.

Stuffed Animal Drive

Instead of money, raise teddy bears! Get your school, religious organization, or youth group involved in holding a drive to collect either stuffed animals. Donate them to local children's hospitals.

Birthday and Holiday Donations

On birthdays, or at Christmas/Chanukah time, teens can ask parents, friends and grand-parents to make a donation to a specific organization instead of buying a gift.