Creative Fundraising to Support Your Nonprofit Goals
A full house gathered at the Floodwood Event Center for the 2024 Hunter’s Raffle Dinner, raising an impressive $19,074 in support of the Polar Cubs Childcare Center. (Photo courtesy of PCCC Facebook)
Nonprofit child care centers across Greater Minnesota are showcasing innovative fundraising ideas that engage supporters and address community needs. Whether you're a child care center or another type of nonprofit seeking inspiration, these creative examples from local organizations can help spark your next successful campaign.
Polar Cubs Childcare Center: Hunter’s Raffle
Event Overview
On the second Saturday of November, Polar Cubs Childcare Center hosts their annual Hunter’s Raffle Dinner, combining a hearty community meal with a raffle featuring outdoor and hunting gear donated by local businesses. This event appeals to the interests of their rural audience and fosters community connection while raising funds for their programs.
Key Elements for Success
Partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses for prize donations enhances the raffle’s appeal.
Audience Engagement: Hosting an activity tied to the community’s interests, such as hunting and outdoor recreation, ensures relevance and enthusiasm.
Multi-Faceted Approach: Combining a dinner with a raffle adds variety and broadens the event’s appeal.
Deer River Chamber of Commerce: Collaborating with Local Businesses
In partnership with Early Edge, the Deer River Chamber of Commerce organized a community-wide campaign involving local businesses. This initiative featured themed sales, donation drives, and special promotions, with proceeds directed toward supporting early education programs. Two standout events from this campaign include the Cardboard Sledding Competition and Valentine’s Creative Collection Bundles.
Cardboard Sledding Competition
Event Overview
Participants were invited to design and build sleds out of cardboard and compete in sledding races. Categories like “fastest sled” and “most creative design” encouraged innovation and added a playful, competitive edge to the event.
Key Elements for Success
Low Cost, High Fun: Using inexpensive, accessible materials kept costs low while encouraging creativity.
Inclusive Appeal: Designed for all ages, this event fostered community engagement and family-friendly fun.
Darla Rahne from Early Edge and Nikki Osse from the Deer River Chamber of Commerce recently shared more details about this event during a guest appearance on the “Bright Spot” segment of the KAXE Morning Show.
Valentine’s Creative Collection Bundles
Event Overview
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, local businesses sold handmade “Creative Collection Bundles” featuring items crafted by children. These bundles included Valentine’s cards, craft kits, and sweet treats, offering supporters a meaningful and thoughtful gift option.
From Cavan Images/Getty Images
Key Elements for Success
Seasonal Tie-In: Leveraging a holiday theme created urgency and excitement around the fundraiser.
Personal Touch: Including children’s handmade items emphasized the organization’s mission and made the products unique.
Pre-Order System: Requiring pre-orders streamlined logistics and ensured demand was met efficiently.
Community Congregations: Easter Eggs with a Purpose
From The Daily Yonder
Event Overview
In small towns across Appalachia and the Midwest, rural congregations have turned homemade Easter eggs into a beloved tradition and a reliable annual fundraiser. As featured in The Daily Yonder, churches hand-roll and dip thousands of peanut butter and coconut cream eggs in chocolate, selling them for a few dollars apiece in the weeks leading up to Easter. The proceeds support youth ministries, outreach programs, and building repairs.
Key Elements for Success
Cultural Relevance: Grounded in tradition and seasonal rhythms, the event resonates deeply with community members who grew up with these treats.
Volunteer Power: Dozens of volunteers from grandmothers to teenagers form assembly lines to roll, dip, and package eggs, creating a true intergenerational project.
Repeatable Format: With predictable demand and straightforward production, these efforts can raise thousands of dollars annually while building community pride.
Takeaways for Your Next Fundraiser
Even small-scale efforts rooted in local culture can grow into major fundraising successes. For nonprofit child care centers, borrowing from these models can open new doors for community support. These examples highlight how nonprofits can:
Align events with community interests and seasonal opportunities to maximize participation.
Build partnerships with local businesses to share resources and expand outreach.
Incorporate creativity and personalization to make events and products stand out.
Whether you’re planning a large-scale dinner, a community event, or a holiday-themed fundraiser, the possibilities are endless. By tailoring your efforts to your community’s unique strengths and preferences, you can create meaningful connections and achieve your goals.
Ready to Elevate Your Funding Strategy?
At Rural Pathways, we’re not just about grants; we’re here to help you explore creative and effective ways to fund your mission. From innovative event ideas to strategic collaborations, we’ve seen it all while working with child care centers and nonprofits like yours.
Let’s brainstorm together and turn great ideas into impactful results. Stay tuned for more inspiring fundraising tips and success stories in upcoming newsletters or reach out today to start strategizing!
Citation: Anderson, Charity & Gilpin, Staci. (2025). Creative Fundraising to Support Your Nonprofit Goals. Rural Pathways News.