When insurance or NDIS funding falls short, fundraising can be a powerful way to help cover the cost of therapies, equipment, and other essential resources. From online platforms like GoFundMe to local community events, there are countless ways to rally support. Below, we’ve gathered some tried-and-true fundraising ideas that many NAPA families have successfully used to meet their goals and keep their children thriving.
GoFundMe
GoFundMe is a do-it-yourself online fundraising service that has helped thousands of people raise millions of dollars in online donations for the fundraising ideas that matter to them most. GoFundMe allows regular people to accomplish extraordinary things with easy-to-use personal donation websites.
Many NAPA families have used GoFundMe or similar websites to raise money for therapies, equipment, or other costly expenses that are not covered by insurance companies.
Silent Auction
- Be organized – Track your auction items, set up systems for bid sheets, thank you letters, and be firm with deadlines.
- Seek out new donors – Contributions will need to be made before promoting the event by your family, friends, neighbors, or anybody interested in helping your cause.
- Promote the event – The best way to get people to attend events is to promote them through your networks – church, school, clubs, family, friends, Facebook, etc.
- Be creative – Offer the usual fare (like restaurant gift cards), but also seek out special, one-of-a-kind items to generate excitement.
- Find sponsors – Ticket sales and auction proceeds aren’t the only ways to raise money from this type of event. Seek out sponsors who will write a check in return for marketing consideration, free tickets, etc.
- Accept credit cards – You will sell more items, at higher bid levels, if you accept cash, checks, and credit cards at checkout.
- You need more staff than you realize – Have a lot of volunteers or staff available to answer questions, process checkouts, and tidy up the auction items on a regular basis.
- Have fun! – Silent auctions don’t need to be strictly formal events. Make this a fun time for your guests (think: good food, open bar, a band), and they will want to attend the event year after year.
Bake Sale
- Volunteers – Ask friends, families, and even your neighbors to volunteer their time and items to your cause. Have them ask their parents and family as well.
- Location – Choose a high-traffic location such as a grocery store, department store, mall, event, community hall, town square, etc.
- Pricing – Do not set your prices too low (you’re trying to raise funds after all), and accept credit cards if possible. There are many apps you can download on your smartphone so you don’t miss out on those without cash.
- Advertising – Create flyers to put in the immediate area where you’ll be holding the bake sale, create a mass e-mail to send out a couple of times leading up to the event, radio, etc.
Chili Cook Off
- Generate a Buzz – Create flyers, signs, etc., and advertise locally. Solicit local restaurants and businesses to participate in the cooking or to sponsor a cook.
- How to Collect Funds – You can collect a flat rate or donation amount at the door, or have a donation container paired with each chili as a way to vote for each contestant.
- Contestants and Judges – Ask friends, family, or anybody in your community to participate in the contest. You could also solicit local restaurants and ask the chefs to be your “celebrity cooks” or judges.
- Prizes and Categories – Create different categories, such as Spiciest Chili, Judges’ Favourite, Crowd Favourite, and “Best Chili in Town.” Ask local businesses to donate gift cards or prizes from their businesses, or reward your winners with special chili trophies/plaques.
- Supplies – According to FundraiserInsight.org, you should supply plenty of refreshments, common chili accompaniments like cornbread, hot sauce, shredded cheese and lots of napkins, bowls, spoons, etc.
Karaoke Night
Either charge a set admission price or a recommended donation for the event. Rent Karaoke equipment from a local DJ, which should include a library of songs, and you can either set it up as a competition or just a free-for-all!
Restaurant/Bar Proceeds Night
Ask local restaurant/bar owners to donate a percentage of an evening’s dinner checks to your cause. If they agree, it’s now your job to get as many patrons as possible to visit the restaurant on the fundraising evening.
50/50 Raffle
You will need to sell tickets to the raffle, combine the money, and award 50% of the combined money to the person who holds the winning ticket and 50% of the money to your cause. These are good to host at large meetings or events.
Car Wash
Ask friends and family to volunteer their time and or supplies for the car wash. Hold it in a high-traffic area with signs directing people to the car wash. Charge a set amount or recommended donation. Don’t forget to advertise your cause!
Fundraising Yard Sale
Ask for donation items from your friends, family, church, or any group you’re involved in. Once you receive all your donations, choose a date and location (consider the weather) to hold the yard sale. Advertise via social networks, flyers, mass e-mail, etc.
About NAPA Centre
NAPA Centre is a global leader in paediatric therapy, specialising in 3-week intensive therapy programs and weekly paediatric therapy at our multiple clinic locations worldwide. If your child needs our services, we will work closely with you to select the best therapies, creating a customised program specific to your child’s needs and your family’s goals.
About the Author
Paul is a longtime member of the NAPA community and a passionate advocate for paediatric therapy in Australia. His journey with NAPA began in 2013 when he and his wife Sally brought their son Max, who lives with cerebellar ataxia, for his first intensive session. Since then, Max has completed over 15 intensives across NAPA’s Sydney and Los Angeles clinics, making remarkable progress along the way. A lifelong Sydneysider, Paul lives with Sally (a former NAPA Sydney team member) and their three children: Jack, Lucy, and Max.
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