When I was 16 years old, my dad asked if I wanted to go on a mission trip with him to Africa. Immediately, my answer was “YES!” But then, he told me I needed to fundraise and raise $2,500 in a few months.
As a 16 year old, this amount of money sounded unreachable. But I knew I needed to make it happen, so I went to social media and made a post asking people if there was anything I could do for them to make some extra money over the next few weeks.
The next thing I knew, I was babysitting every weekend, washing my neighbors’ cars, and raking leaves every free second I had.
It took a lot of hard work, but it all became worth it the moment I hopped on a plane and spent a month in Africa with my dad.
Whether it was for youth camp, my mission trip to Africa, or adopting my little brother, fundraising is something I have a lot of experience with. When I joined The Pregnancy Network team and heard about this event called “Walk For Life,” I knew it was time to put my creative hat back on and think of fun ways to raise money for such a great cause!
Ready to #jointhemovement and participate in the GSO Walk For Life? Here are 8 creative ways you can raise money with your Walk for Life team.
Let’s be honest, most of us have things taking up space in our homes that we don’t even know are there. (Like that jacket in your closet you couldn’t resist because it was such a good deal!) One of the easiest ways to raise money is by gathering things you no longer need or want, and throwing a yard sale on a Saturday morning! You can even ask your friends and family to donate items to sell.
Everybody needs a car wash, especially during this time of year. Grab some friends, hit up your local automotive shop for car wash supplies, and host a car wash in your neighborhood, at your church, or a well-known location in your community.
You can host “Burpees for a Cause” and do a burpee for every dollar that you raise. This is a great way to raise money while also being active—that’s a win-win in my book!
When I was in youth group, my church hosted a Chili Cook Off to raise money for student camp. People in our church would sign up to make their special chili, and others would pay for a ticket to attend the event, test each recipe, and vote for their favorite. The winner received fun prizes, but most importantly, we were able to raise $15,000 in one night.
Send support letters and/or emails to friends and family. Include information about what you are trying to raise money for and why. Share how you want to join The Pregnancy Network in empowering women to face their unplanned pregnancies without fear. At the end of your letter, invite the recipient to invest in the movement with a financial donation. Make sure to provide the link to your FundEasy page for easy giving. If you haven’t created yours yet, you can do so right now by clicking here.
Ask a local restaurant to partner with you to raise funds. Agree on a date, and a percentage of the proceeds go to your cause. You could partner with your local barbecue joint, the mom and pop restaurant down the street, or maybe even a coffee shop! Use social media and word-of-mouth to promote your profit-share to help increase funds.
Maybe you are a photographer, or you like to babysit on the weekends. Tell your friends and family on social media you are offering your services for a donation to The Pregnancy Network.
Don’t forget to hashtag #GSOWalkForLife when you share your fundraising opportunities on social media so we can share and support you!
We are grateful for our community’s willingness to fuel the mission of The Pregnancy Network. Together, we can continue empowering women to face their unplanned pregnancies without fear.
If you have questions about the GSO Walk for Life, visit our FAQs page or contact Development Coordinator Meredith Weber by clicking here. You can also gain access to our resources designed to help you succeed with your fundraising ideas by clicking here.
Leiah Roberson
Leiah is the Communications Coordinator at The Pregnancy Network.