AIBU to ask for creative fundraising ideas?

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

I am going to preface this by saying we live in Canada, so "standard" routes for finding funding for an item like this aren't an option.

My DD is almost 11. She uses a wheelchair, and has had a power wheelchair for about 5 years. We do not have a vehicle that can transport her power chair.

Before she got her power chair, she used a manual wheelchair. She received this chair when she was 5 years old. Needless to say, at nearly 11, she is not the same size as she was when she was 5, and her manual chair is far too small. We have made all the adjustments we can to this chair, and it is time for a new one. Because she has a power chair, there is no government funding for a manual one. The government routinely funds a manual backup, but only one (regardless if the user is an adult or a child). SO... we have to put together the cost of her manual chair.

She requires specialised seating and a lightweight frame, and working with her therapeutic team, we received a quote for her new chair - $7348.

We have managed to put together all but $1500 for her chair, but we have run out of sources of funds (we have sold all we can afford to be without, applied to charitable organisations etc.) and I have run out of ideas.

Can any of you suggest creative fundraiser ideas for us to make up the shortfall so that we can get her the chair she needs? We are at the point that we are considering foregoing her sporting activities (sledge hockey, for example, costs $400 to play from September - April) but we would rather that didn't happen, as she gets great enjoyment from playing.

Thank you all in advance for letting me pick your brains.

[DearMrDilkington]

How about having a street event type of thing where there's lots of different events like guess how many marbles in the jar, face painting, car washing etc? Depends how close you are with neighbors

[CaptainMarvelDanvers]

Crowdfunding?

Also something which a lot of people don;t like to do is ask for donations from local businesses. Maybe do a raffle with items donated.

Also tombolas are quite good. At a place I used to volunteer at, they used to have a drink tombola. People would spend more money trying to win a bottle of whisky than just going to the shop and buying one.

[glenthebattleostrich]

Would her sports teams do a charity match?

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

While we all know each other, we live on a small cul-de-sac of just 9 houses and aren't very close. Events like that are just not done around here.

However, perhaps inviting neighbours to donate items they want to get out of their houses and have a community jumble sale might work?

[frenchknitting]

I think the best type of fundraisers are ones where people get something for their money.

In the past, I've organised a race night - a really fun night, we made about 50% of the money from the bar, with ticket entry and raffle tickets. It was a lot of fun, but also a good bit of work.

Another thing I did was sell t-shirts with a club name on them. That made just as much money, for next to zero effort. It's harder to apply that to your situation though.

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

Captain I'd honestly rather take out a loan than do crowdfunding. Because she is disabled, I see a LOT of crowdfunding going on, and struggle with "putting it all out there" as it were.

Perhaps a raffle or something like that might be a good option.

[Magstermay]

How about something like a ladies evening/ pamper evening? You may find a church that would forgo hall hire fees then charge everyone a small fee to attend that gives them a glass of bubbly (you still make money). Ask appropriate local business to attend eg masseuse, yoga studio could offer a shoulder massage/ trial session respectively. People selling beauty and homewares can give you a percentage of profit. You get something, they get 'free advertising/ new clients. Make it obvious what you're raising money for and have somewhere for donations.

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

glen the majority of the members of her sports team have disabilities of one sort or another, probably 1/2 are wheelchair users. If they were to do it for her, it would only be right to do it for the rest of the team. We already fundraise 3-4 times a year for the team.

However... you have just got me thinking. I wonder if there are any team members that have chairs they have outgrown that might work for her in the short term.

french I agree wholeheartedly about fundraisers where they get something for the money. Years ago, we sold beeswax Christmas ornaments to help to purchase a hospital bed for her. It was a LOT of work, but helped out immensely.

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

Magster that is a clever idea. I will have to think about the logistics for that one.

[user1471461166]

Car treasure hunt?

People pay a sum per car to take part, meet at a preset time and place to receive their sheets? Sheets contain a set of instructions for them to go on a preset route (this would take you a while to sort out as you'd need to pick the route and drive it a few times) with questions about landmarks etc they may see along the way eg what is the date on the clock above the village hall?

Get a prize for the winner but that's about the only real cost in comparison to the entry charged, but the only way for it to be a real success would be if you advertised it heavily and got a decent turnout

[JakeBallardswife]

How about a really large fundraiser for her sports team. Think big. We did an auction of promises, lots of local people & businesses volunteered time etc. Eg gave a week at a holiday cottage, a years worth of cake baking, musicians offered an hours free playing- he was the musician at a wedding. we raised £15,000. Cost were minimal, we also charged entry £10 per ticket.made it look quite classy as it was held in the school hall.

But I think you have to jump on the disabled child bandwagon and shout it from the rooftops. People would love to help in varying degrees if they knew about her. Get your local paper and social media involved too.

You could them split split some of the money for the team and the remainder between individual players for their e tea equipment needed etc.

Also the second hand market, could you set up a county / city wide initiative for passing on manual wheelchairs once they've been outgrown?

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

Jake I have been trying to set up an exchange for years - the fear of liability is ridiculous.

[trulyscrumptious33]

I put together a variety show using lots of local talent to help raise money, with a bar and a raffle too. It's good experience or advertising for them too...

[glenthebattleostrich]

Are there no local teams who would be willing to do a match to donate to your daughter / the team? Is it worth approaching local(ish) sports people?

Contact local radio stations / tv about the team and the problems they have with getting funding for new chairs etc. See if they will run a feature, this could lead to local businesses helping.

A chair swap is a good idea. is there any way you could put something in writing to say that donators are relived of any liability in case of an accident - so chairs are swapped / sold as seen?