So, I work in a transitional housing unit for women and we're always in need of fundraising. When you work for non-profit, especially a small community resource, its tough going.

I was wondering what fundraising ideas you all had, what stuff you've done that was successful and anything you think might be a good idea to raise money.

I personally want a fund available to me to be able to stock our classroom with good resources for GED testing, resume building, job hunting and just overall good up to date books that handle life skills.

I'm also considering setting up a paypal account and a list of books I'd like to purchase and welcome donations, but I haven't actually researched if that'd be allowed here, plus I'd need a way to promote it in other areas and websites as well.

Oo! Fundraising!
Well, you could host a large yard sale. ...See if people from the neighborhood would donate their unwanted items to be sold, and the profits could go towards the house.

You could also do a bottle drive. Collect as many refundable bottle as possible, and cash them in. My own work place does this in order to support underprivileged local schools. (That is all of our local schools >.<;;) You can not only get bottles from neighbors, but also from local businesses. Shops go through a surprising number of bottles in a week, and always just throw them out!

You could also take pledges. One of my friends recently collected around $200 in donations, by pledging to shave her head. You can do anything as a pledge: shave your hair, run a marathon, eat 100 donuts (though that one would cost money...). Anything as long as it is a spectacle, and the donaters get to see something fun.

There are loads of things you can do!

I was planning on pitching the garage sale idea to the director today actually, it was the only idea I had. XD It is a good idea though, we did it for our sociology club in college.

I like the recycling idea, just in general though, I wonder if the ladies drink pop...

We're doing a beer tasting event in October, pairing beer with food, so we need to find sponsors for that...

I would like to talk to the university's art department and see if any artists would like to donate a piece for an art auction.

I'm selling wire rights to make extra money right now. You can get coloured wire for cheap then add a few beads and it's done. Clay cell phone charms are another thing that I am going to stat to sell sine they don't cost that much to make.

If you didn't want to make something the garage sale idea and bottle drive idea are good ideas. Bottle drives always make a ton of money at least whenever I did them. You'd be surprised how many people just leave there returnables sitting around or just throw them away.

We do have a jewelry center we're starting here in my classroom, going to make jewelry to sell on Esty and hopefully we will have a donated building here soon for our own "store".

Other than that, some ideas I have so far are a cookbook that features each woman who stays here favorite food, in house tested so we know how to work the recipe and her story, or a little bit about her and the services we offered her.

And, I am so going to pitch a nude calender, not of me! But maybe get some people around town to donate their time to take tasteful pictures (no dirty bits exposed).

We also have some very talented local bands, and I'm hoping perhaps we can talk some of them into playing a benefit concert.

What about a Walk-a-thone
or a bake sell? The Yard sell is a really great idea,
You'd be surprised the money you can raise.

A pin-up calender would be nice.
Male and female calenders?