Host a Fundraiser for PRMH!

There are endless ways that you or your group can fundraise for the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. Here are just a few tips and ideas to get you started. 

Consider: 

A Golf Outing
A Fashion Show
A Bake Sale
A Food/Beer/Wine Tasting Event
A Talent Show
A Dress Down Day at Work ($5 per person)
Your own original idea!

Or, make your next event or occasion extra special by raising funds for PRMH.  Instead of gifts, ask your friends and family to make donations to the House.  This works for weddings, birthdays, graduations, retirement parties, anniversaries, and so much more. 
 

How do you narrow down your options?

First, select the right fundraiser for you:
How much money is it possible to raise?
How much work will this project take?
Are their more effective ways to raise money?
What other groups have already tried this method? (This can help whether for the House, or for experience as a learning tool.)
What fundraisers have been used in the past? Are any of these worth repeating?

Use a Team Approach and select a Chairperson - someone who had experience organizing projects is great! Also, select the dates for your project.

Promote your Fundraiser:
This varies depending upon the nature of the event.  Some ideas include posters, community flyers, personalized invitations, email blasts, ads in newsletters, website promotion, etc.  Don't forget the power of word-of-mouth.  Let all of your friends, families, and colleagues know about your great event to benefit the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House!

Tips for Success
• Scout your location - if outdoors, be sure there is protection from bad weather.
• Have some rules so that you don't step on any other group's toes.
• Stay legal!
• Calculate your costs in advance.
• Keep good records.
• Time your event wisely - be sure that your time slot is not being used by another event that will take away from yours: i.e. a big sports event, a group fundraising for a different project at the same time/place.
• Say "Thank You."
• Wear Name Tags with your name and your project name.

SOME MORE SUGGESTIONS FOR FUNDRAISING:

Penny Drive - Gather some 5-gallon water jugs (they might be donated by a water supply company or purchased wholesale.) After getting permission from management, "station" the coin bottles at entrances to Big Box stores, grocery stores, malls, etc. You will get coins other than pennies, and might even want to put a plastic funnel (car radiator funnels are large enough) to make it easier for people to drop many coins in a once -the faster the coins go into the bottle, the more people will drop in!

Free Car Wash - Select a very busy location such as a local shopping center or large gas station and have a FREE car wash (with permission). Anyone may get their car washed and those that wish to make a contribution may do so. You will need large signs: Free Car Wash - Donations for the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. Ahead of time, make up posters and flyers and, with permission, put up posters and distribute flyers at local businesses.

Pledge-a-Thons - Everyone is familiar with -"thons' where an individual will get financial sponsors to attain specific goals. Many sponsors pay in advance (which is a good idea!) You can make up Pledge Sheets with the name of the "Thon" with 10-15 spaces for names of sponsors and phone number, the pledge amount - per hour and total, and a space to note pre-paid or not. Make a note that checks would be payable to the Ronald McDonald House in the event a sponsor would prefer to pay by check.

Here are a few "-Thons" which might be good to raise funds for The House:

Rock-a-Thon - involves everyone in the group to rock for 24 (or maybe 16) hours. Get sponsors to sign up for every hour rocked once you have secured a location for this event. The rules might include everyone person bringing his or her own rocking chair; each rocker must rock for 4 consecutive hours; time breaks allowed for bathroom use only; chair must be rocking at all times. You will need a Master of Ceremonies and a few other ‘watchers' to keep track. Before the event, get serious publicity: posters, flyers, newspaper & TV reporters. Keep enthusiasm high by announcing every 2 or 3 hours how much money has been raised.

Work-a-Thon - arrange jobs for young people helping elderly members of the community. The jobs might include garden work, housekeeping, shopping, or other needed services. Get donors to sponsor the workers, typically an 8-hour day (all day Saturday). Much planning is needed in advance, but this "thon" gives to two very special causes.

The Thons can be as creative as you like.  Consider a Bowl-a-Thon, Walk-a-Thon, Dance-a-Thon, or something brand new!

SEASONAL ‘-Thons' -publicize ahead of time as described above:

Rake & Run - each entrant brings their own rake. Get sponsors to sign for every hour raking lawns. Each homeowner will sign off that you raked their lawn and how many hours you raked. Naturally, you will need to include many homeowners on a block for each "raker".

Snow & Blow - same idea but using snow shovels and blowers.

Splash & Run - bring rags and window cleaners to homes and businesses in an area.

Mow & Pull - mow lawns, pull weeds, and blow debris from sidewalks.

These are a few ideas to get you started! With questions or for more information, contact Kelly Hays at kelly@philarmh.org or 215.387.8406 today!. 

Or, just download our Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House fundraising packet, complete the required information, and begin your project or event right away!