The leaves are falling and the coolness of the autumn season is upon us! Fall is a great time of year to think about ways to grow your nonprofit organization. Whether you’re fundraising or just raising awareness, there are many ways to engage the community around you. Here are a few simple ideas to get you started!
Chil(i) in the Air
Everyone loves a good bowl of chili when cool weather knocks at your door. Why not host a chili cook-off? Delicious food and friendly competition is a great recipe for getting the community together. You could gather local business sponsors, charge a taster fee and present the best chef with a commemorative award. Cook-offs can become a great annual event that your community will look forward to all year.
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
Who doesn’t enjoy a home-baked goodie on a crisp fall day? There’s a reason that bake sales are a classic fundraising event for many small nonprofits. Try hosting a simple bake sale at your local grocery store or shopping mall. Ask for donations rather than setting prices, and make sure you have pamphlets or informational displays to help educate your customers about your mission. Bake sales are an easy way to make your presence known in the community, and require minimal investment from your staff or volunteers.
Trick or Treat
To engage kids and families during this time of year, you can’t go wrong with a “trunk or treat” event. Parents are always looking for a fun and safe venue for trick-or-treating. Spread the word about the event throughout the community and ask for candy and other treat donations. You might also include stickers or pens with your organization’s logo and mission statement. What a great way to get the community together and spread awareness for your nonprofit!
Holiday Spirit
Fall usually means Halloween, but some people are already thinking about the winter holidays ahead. Why not hold a raffle or silent auction to kick off the season of giving? Ask for donated items from local business community or host a volunteer craft-a-thon to make hats, scarfs, ornaments, or other goods to auction off. It’s never too early for some holiday cheer!