Hello!

I’m trying to get more involved in helping out my local not for profit animal shelter which does amazing work where most other pounds are a big let down. Although I donate what I can out of my own pocket, I am looking at ways of raising extra money to donate to this wonderful organisation. Any ideas on how I can do this? All suggestions welcome


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  • Sausage sizzles are always great revenue raisers! Ask local businesses if they could be a drop off point for people to make donations etc


  • Do you have kids at school? Maybe their classes could help out? Ask them to each bring along a can of dog food or bag of dog food. Things like blankets and toys. You end up with quite a few things to donate


  • Money tins dropped at local shops and businesses for people to drop money in are good. Not everyone will let tho. Sausage sizzles are usually successful. Cake stalls are going out of fashion a bit but can be a good way to raise money


  • I used to have donation baskets in local vet waiting rooms. The patients donated all sorts of things. Maybe put together a raffle of some kind. Get local businesses to donate products as prizes


  • I went to the Dr yesterday. In their foyer I noticed a table full of dog food and treats. Someone had set up a donations table for the local animal shelter. It’s not a fundraiser but it is a way to help out


  • Yes raffle tickets really do always seem to be popular!


  • Have you approached them about donating non monetary things like time, old news papers, cleaning enclosures, washing animals, walking and playing with animals? These things would be just as valuable as cash I would suggest. They may also like admin work done like photos taken of animals and adoptioms promoted (theres one in sydney called renbury that are promote their animals via Facebook).

    Otherwise maybe seek donations from large organisations, seek funding or a cupcake drive. Seek donations as prizes for a raffle and sell tickets.


  • An animal rescue group that I work with approached a photographer who donated their time to take pictures of some of the rescue dogs and create a calendar that is then sold at local fairs and events. They’re hugely popular and people come back to get them year after year.
    The group also had a tent at local fairs and festivals, I think as a non-profit you can get a discounted or free space. They would sell homemade dog treats and bandanas, stuff that volunteers had put together to help raise funds.


  • I love the collection tin idea. If they are agreeable to that, aks if they have anywhere they can lock them away at night. The company I worked for 40+ years ago had some for charities including Guide Dogs. Somebody broke in and besides still some computers (not clever as some of them didn’t even work and the others weren’t much better) they stooped low enough to steal the collection tins. We have no idea how much was in each of them. After that the replacement tins were locked away at night. Check if they have an op shop that you can either donate goods or not. If so ask them what sells the best. Some sell re-cycled clothing, books and misc. items. Some sell toys and hand knitted or sewn baby or childrens’ clothes. See if you can get pet food companies to donate, even if the cans are dented. They may not accept packets of pet food which have been opened because on animal charity was given some that was deliberately contaminated. You are supposed to have a special permit for raffles which you have to pay for. People may like to donate old blankets or sheets(sheets are OK for use in the warmer weather. Maybe you could volunteer your time. If you don’t want to work with the animals you may be able to do admin work even if it is only filing or answering the phones and transferring the calls to another person if necessary. At least the phone isn’t ringing for as long before it is answered.


  • A special morning tea might be a good idea with all donations going towards the shelter. Maybe friends can help you with baking or bringing baked goods.


  • Make donation tins with a brief animal story written from the animals perspective (include an unresistable cute pic). Speak to local stores and place the tins on the counters for customers to drop loose change in.


  • ask your school if they can do the next fundraiser towards the shelter and get a speaker to talk to the kids either just your class or whole school. the kids could all do a walk or bob a job or cookie sale, casual clothes day etc to help towards it.


  • Raffle tickets always seem to be popular; maybe you can get a supplier of products for animals to donate a prize?


  • Hold a garage sale with all the proceeds going to the shelter, or, depending on your circle of friends/acquaintances, make cakes or jam and sell them. If you’re crafty, you could make little felt cats/dogs and leave them in a box at the shelter for donations. Do they need anything other than money? I know a lot of shelters that appreciate blankets, etc, so knit some squares (and get your friends involved) and sew them all together into cosy bedding for the animals! My friends and I do this, especially coming into winter and we collect tins of food that we give to them in a hamper along with the blankets and cushions! I’m sure they appreciate all you do for them – well done, and good luck!


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