Fundraising Ideas

On-Site Activities

Within each category are ideas for various fund raising activities. Depending on the size of your credit union, membership and time frame of the campaign, choose an activity that best suits both your needs and abilities. Each activity is marked as low (L), medium (M) and high (H) involvement.

Plan fund raising activities in such a manner that your credit union is highlighted to show the integral part credit unions play in our communities. Again, select an activity that makes the most sense for your credit union. This guidebook represents only a few of the many fund raising possibilities. Children's Miracle Network is always interested in new fund raising ideas. Feel free to email us with your own fund raising success story! Drop us a line at creditunions@childrensmiraclenetwork.org.

Bake Sale (M):
Conduct a bake sale/contest incorporating your employee’s or member’s tastiest recipes. Individually wrap and price the baked goods. Pricing should be consistent (four cookies for $1 or two brownies for $1). If you choose to have a baking contest, then you need to design an entry form and determine a fee for participation. Select categories; most extravagant, most chocolate, ugliest, prettiest, most creative, healthiest, etc.

Car Wash (M):
Select a location and time that will offer significant public exposure. To enhance interest, invite mascots from local schools, popular radio DJs or other identifiable community figures to participate. Be prepared with a rain date just in case.

Child Safety Days (M):
Plan a community event that focuses on child safety. Arrange for your local police and/or fire departments to conduct hands-on activities on topics such as bicycle safety, fire safety, crime prevention, or child fingerprinting. Have representatives from your Children's Miracle Network hospital explain and demonstrate the important role of the Children's Miracle Network hospital in community education programs. Ask for a donation from attendees.

Charity Recycling Program (L):
Recycling is one endeavor the public identifies as good for the environment and one which can raise money for local kids. Ask members to bring in cans and other deposit items to donate during a particular period of time. Donate the proceeds from the redemption value to your Children's Miracle Network hospital.

Coin Canisters (L):
Obtain coin canisters from your local hospital. Place them on your counters and ask members for donations to benefit their Children's Miracle Network hospital. Canisters are also available for drive-up teller windows!

Dunk Tank (M):
Rent a dunk tank and give employees and members a chance to dunk their favorite manager or co-worker for a donation. A dunk tank can also enhance outdoor events such as cookouts, carnivals, bake sales, etc.

Discounted Amusement Park Tickets (M):
Contact a local amusement park, zoo, etc. a few months in advance of the fund raising campaign/event. The park may even be able to help with the promotion. Try this project if driving lobby traffic is a goal of your credit union or in conjunction with a special offer from you credit union.

Fish Tank (L):
Rent or purchase a fish tank that can be used to collect donations or loose change. Position the tank in a visible location with a sign that identifies Children's Miracle Network and your local children’s hospital.

Go Fish (L):
Place a children’s swimming pool at the front of your building or in the parking lot near the entrance. Stock the pool with goldfish and let members and employees catch and take the fish home in a small plastic bag provided by the credit union. Members can fish for a donation to Children's Miracle Network! Contest, food, and credit union or Children's Miracle Network merchandise could be used to support the event.

Grand Opening (L):
Children's Miracle Network campaigns during grand openings, anniversaries and promotions are great opportunities to create excitement and gain exposure. These events effectively communicate your community involvement and caring image by tying your credit union to your Children's Miracle Network hospital. Such activities can include special promotions, press releases, Children's Miracle Network-themed advertising and vendor involvement.

Kiddie Carnival (H):
Set up simple kids’ games and activities such as a ring toss, spin art and face painting. Decide on a kid-friendly location, promote the event and charge an entrance fee. If desired, expand the event by adding food stations.

I Won’t Come Down (M):
Invite a manager or supervisor up on the roof of your credit union and refuse to come down until employee and/or members have raised a specified amount for Children's Miracle Network. Funds could be raised through member donations on the spot or in a campaign prior to the event as well. The manager could also raise funds by hanging a bucket over the edge of the building with a sign stating his or her purpose. If you get the word out effectively, such an event can generate significant publicity for your credit union.

Jail and Bail (M):
During their “time”, jailbirds such as managers, staff or board members call on employees and family members to collect donations for their bail. Designate an afternoon, or gather a few employees and make their “jail time” an all-day affair.

Kisses for Kids (L):
While this fund raiser fits well with a Valentine’s Day theme, it can be effective any time of the year. Buy Hershey’s Kisses or Hugs candy and wrap a handful in a colorful netting (available at craft and fabric stores). Tie the package with a ribbon and display them in the lobby or at the tellers’ windows. Sell them for a few dollars. Your credit union can also offer heart-shaped paper icons or Miracle Balloons in conjunction with the Kisses for Kids campaign. Both are available from your Children's Miracle Network hospital or the Children's Miracle Network national office.

Poster Contest by
Young Credit Union Members (M):
To encourage participation, advertise the contest in your newsletter and contact local elementary and middle schools. Allow a few months for entries, but set a deadline. Once you have entries, place a canister in front of each poster. Let your members be the judges by donating money in the appropriate canister. Designate a certain percentage of the winner’s money to go into their account and mark the remainder for your Children's Miracle Network hospital.

Pennies From Heaven (L):
Hang umbrellas upside down from the ceiling, a wire, a tent or wherever possible. Hang “Pennies From Heaven” signs with and explanation such as, “Throw your coins in the umbrella to help kids at ________ hospital/our Children's Miracle Network hospital”.

Quarters by the Mile (L):
Collect quarters by attaching pieces of paper end to end throughout your credit union. The paper trail can be laid up throughout the lobby or along the countertop. Circles the size of quarters are copied onto paper so members can help local kids by attaching quarters to the paper. Make tape or glue available to members and post signs explaining the campaign. To keep the momentum strong, keep track of how “far” the quarters stretch and the dollar amount that distance equals. Set a goal in both distance and dollar amount.

Credit Union Cookbook (H):
Solicit both members and employees for their favorite tasty recipes. Model the book after other cookbooks and include sections highlighting hors d’oeuvres, entrees, desserts, etc. Sell the cookbook to staff and members with all proceeds benefiting their Children's Miracle Network hospital.

Theme Contest (L):
Sponsor an essay or poetry contest for your members. The contest could even be on a credit union theme, such as “people helping people.” Ask for a donation for each entry and offer a prize for the top winners.

Trash & Treasure (H):
A yard sale is a great way for employees and members to get rid of all that perfectly good “stuff” they just don’t use anymore and help local kids at the same time. Advertise the sale in advance and have employees commit to take responsibility for any items they do not sell. Another idea along the same line involves a more focused sale focused on sporting goods, kids toys and books, kitchen items, office supplies, etc.

Let us know what you are doing at your credit union or state league! Email us at creditunions@childrensmiraclenetwork.org!