DIY Inspiration
DIY participants are continually generating creative ideas and strategies that aid them in executing their successful fundraisers. Check out ideas, read stories, and find inspiration from other DIY participants who have turned their passions and hobbies into successful fundraisers for IBD cures!
See How Others are Making an Impact:
Clara's Crohn's BBQ | Roofener Family Halloween | Spike Out Colitis |
Engaging others through hobbies and passion
Clara's Crohn's BBQ
Organizers: Clara and Carol Burley
The Big Idea
Clara wanted to raise awareness and get more people involved and we knew a lot of people really enjoyed their BBQ and BBQ’s, so that’s where our initial “target audience” and event idea came from.
In the beginning, we asked friends and family for raffle items. Then, with some guidance from our chapter, we wrote up a donation and in-kind letters of request. We were able to secure additional raffle items and the venue who would donate the use of their facility, and who would prepare and serve the food if we split the cost of the ticket with them. We then worked with a local bread outlet to donate the rolls and a local farmer to donate the salt potatoes.
We traditionally hold the BBQ fundraiser on the 2nd Sunday of the month where we serve half chicken dinners with corn on the cob, salt potatoes and dinner roll with butter and a bottle of water for $10.00. We also offer many free family fun activities such as face/hand/arm painting, live music, a raffle and a photo booth donated by a local photographer.
The Impact
We have around 200 people in attendance every year and after six years there have been some years where I say it’s the last one. But I’m always proud to see it all come together. To see so many people come to support our mission; to talk to Clara; to watch HER own her disease and not be ashamed of it; to learn to stand up for herself and her life.
It’s fun to talk to people, spread awareness through TV interviews and take photos with people all for the cause. And, when you’re totaling your fundraising total at the end of the day and think "yeah, we did that…let’s do it again next year."
Tips & Tricks
- About four months before the event, send the request letters out if you’re asking local businesses to donate. And be sure to tell them you’ll have their name listed on a poster board at your event announcing their support.
- Trial and error. We did a neighborhood garage sale one year and made over $1,000 but figuring out what to do with everyone’s stuff afterwards was challenging and we ended up donating it to another charity, but I learned that garage sales are not my thing, and I’d rather do a BBQ then garage sale!
- Use social media! Create a Facebook page to invite and share what they day of event activities will include.
Roofener Family Halloween
Organizers: Danielle Roofener and family
The Big Idea
The Roofener Family decided to turn their annual Halloween party into a fundraiser when their son was diagnosed. They annually decorate the outside of their home with 30 ft inflatables and amazing balloon decorations from Dream Factory Balloons for Halloween in different themes like Ghostbusters, Avengers, Jurassic Park and more. In pre-pandemic years, they had a tent to serve over 150 guests’ dinner. They raise money on the lawn with games that kids can play and in the tent with generous donations from friends and family.
Recently, the Roofener family decided to scale down their decorations and celebration in fear of too large of crowds (due to the pandemic) but decided to carry on with a with the lawn decorations. With amazing balloon and other decorations, they distribute candy from their balcony down pipes to trick-or-treaters. They still had over 700 children come to trick-or treat in 2020 and raised over $30,000. One way to encourage donations without the annual party in the tent, was to email friends that regularly attended and announce a match for donations up to $10,000.
The Impact
Our involvement with the Foundation is like being part of a family dedicated to accelerating cures. We are actively advancing research and treatments towards a better quality of life, and it’s a great feeling to know that we can connect kids with similar circumstances through Camp Oasis.
Tips & Tricks
- The best fundraising tip is to ASK, ASK, and ASK!
Spike Out Colitis
Organizer: Dawn Mueller
The Big Idea
It’s hard to ask for money, I get that and I struggled with that for a long time. I felt like we could only get so far by asking people to donate, and as I was sharing this with a friend (who owns a bar with volleyball courts), he said, "why don’t you do a volleyball tournament? You could use our venue and use the courts." And to some level, the idea was just that simple.
I enjoy watching volleyball, and I've played in recreational leagues before, and thought it sounded like a great way to engage more people and raise more awareness. I had someone make a flyer and we posted on social media for the first year and we ended up with nine teams! The second year we had 12 teams and by the sixth year we had 16 teams. We charge a $125.00 registration fee and try to add something new and different every year, such as raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, and most recently we added a percentage of sales for a salad buffet. We try to mix it up because you have a captive audience of those playing, but we also try to think of things to do for those who are not playing and who came to watch.
The Impact
The Foundation is really a sense of community and support. When we go to the Take Steps walks and Cameron goes to Camp Oasis it helps him realize he is not alone, we are all together and fighting for the same cause.
The tournament and the day of the Take Steps walk helps him feel like these people are here for him, it helps turn his disease into something bigger and more positive.
Tips & Tricks
- Since our fundraiser is at a venue who hosts volleyball leagues throughout the summer, we make sure to post our flyers when leagues start in the spring and refresh them throughout the summer. These people already enjoy playing volleyball, it’s an opportunity to increase the Foundation’s awareness but also recruit teams to come join us for a good cause and a fun tournament!
- We don’t provide referee’s; we kindly ask that each team volunteer a ref for the game they are not playing. Plus, Cameron and his friends really enjoy being the referees.
- Pick a date or weekend and stick with it, especially if it’s a weekend event.
Engaging others through hobbies and passion
Organizer: Kayla Erb
The Big Idea
With a background in design and marketing, my husband and I started to brainstorm some ideas. It wasn’t long before we said let’s combine what I am good at and combine them with my passion for art, music, and design.
- The first fundraiser I held was a painting class I taught. The class went over really well, but it was really difficult for me to host, teach and participate! The lesson learned during our first event was to partner up with someone else to teach.
- The second fundraiser I held was an art show, where we partnered with a local space. We had an entry fee, door prize raffle and a silent auction for art.
- The third fundraiser we had included a comedy show and raffle. My husband is a comedian, and we were able to partner with a local brewery for the donated venue and recruited other local comedians to donate their time. My family put together raffle baskets and sold tickets on the day of the event.
- The fourth fundraiser was a concert where we charged an admission fee and held a 50/50 raffle. Though it was a little challenging to line up a variety of bands, a lot of people came and it ended up being a great way to spread awareness.
- For the fifth fundraiser, I used my design skills to create customized merchandise with “The Flare Bears” logo, which I then hosted and sold on Bonfire.com.
- The sixth and most recent idea we had was an 80’s themed costume party! Who doesn’t love the idea of dressing up and in the most fashionable decade, the 1980’s! We had a donated space, door prizes, raffles, and awards for the best costume!
The Impact
I am really pleased and impressed with how much money benefits the Foundations research efforts. Knowing that my efforts directly impact me is a little crazy to think about. Knowing that I could have a future where if this drug is not going to work for me that other treatment options are available because of the funds I have raised. Through my fundraising I know that I am helping to invest in new treatment options.
Tips & Tricks
- Meet with your closest friends and family who understand what you are going through. Talk to them about your idea and share that you want to do an event, and ask them what they think youand them could do? They know you best, and you never know who has hidden talents! You never know what people will say yes to.
- Using Bonfire.com was extremely easy and accessible! I highly recommend it since there are no upfront costs, (they take the costs out of the total from the buyer) and you set your own prices.
- Create Facebook events because they are a good indicator of how many people are going to show up. I would also keep updates in my Facebook and Instagram stories and would hang flyers up in my venue bathrooms leading up to the event.
Need more help? Check out our Fundraising Resources and Toolkits for more information.