With the American economy in the toilet, the last thing people want to do is part with their money. Getting people to say that they support a business or organization is easy, but getting them to actually donate money to it is significantly more difficult. Nevertheless, these nine organizations have seen tremendous success, thanks largely in part to their creative campaigns.
1. Habitat for Humanity
Something about watching Jimmy Carter build a house next to Brad Pitt brings out the spirit of giving like no other. Whether it’s the sight of classy A-listers working hand-in-hand with court-ordered-D-listers, or knowing that we don’t have to actually do any of the work ourselves, few organizations get as much financial support as Habitat for Humanity.
Building houses is hard work; the sort of work reserved for carpenters and celebrities, which is why so many people give generously from the comfort of their own recliner. Seeing celebrities do charitable work really does seem to spur donations from average Joes (and other celebs).
2. Bricks
There are plenty of years left before World Series bricks go on sale.
Stadiums like Wrigley Field have found an interesting way to raise additional funds; by lining the streets outside with the names of its donors. As if the streets outside of Wrigley weren’t already paved with enough broken dreams and beer bottles to last another century, the Chicago Cubs organization decided to add customized bricks into the fray.
For a mere $160 (roughly the cost of a ticket and two beers), fans can have their names engraved on a brick that will be walked on by millions of Cubs fans. While sports teams are rarely in need of charitable donations, this is still a clever fundraising campaign worthy of mention.
3. We Are the World
They were the world.
When the world’s most talented, and famous performers get together to support Africa, the result is one of the best selling singles of all-time. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and featuring performances by Ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen (among others), “We Are the World” was successful because it gave the world something it wanted.
By selling an album featuring everybody famous ever, fans and humanitarians got something for their investment in Africa.
4. St. Baldrick’s
The Catholic Church does not officially recognize Baldrick as a saint.
Deep down inside, every guy has always wanted to lose a bet that required him to shave his head. Whether it’s for looks, convenience, or just the morbid curiosity of finding out what his skull looks like, dudes need only the slightest reason to shave, and St. Baldrick’s gives them just that.
St. Baldrick’s is a charity supporting children’s cancer research. Participants get friends and family to donate for a good cause, all in the name of seeing their friend look like an idiot for two to three weeks (depending on the growing process).
5. Trick or Treat for Unicef
Nothing better for starving kids than a box of delicious dimes.
Although this fundraising campaign was never popular with those executing it, it is a huge hit with their parents. On the one day in the calendar year where it is perfectly acceptable to acquire and ingest unhealthily large amounts of candy, of course adults remind children that there are less fortunate kids in the world who cannot do the same.
Instead of sending those kids weird black and orange mystery candies, thousands of American children assist with Trick or Treat for Unicef, taking donations to help feed and clothe the world’s less fortunate kids. While it may be only a few pennies here and there, over the last 60 years, Unicef has collected $160 million dollars on Halloween alone.
6. Locks of Love
Not sure how long her hair was to start…
The St. Baldrick’s equivalent for women, Locks of Love has given thousands of cancer patients the ability to look good. Women with long, non-chemically treated hair can chop off the 10-12 inches needed to make wigs for cancer patients. While this fundraising campaign specializes in hair donations, their high profile helps them to receive thousands of dollars from those who just wish donate cash instead.
7. Livestrong
The fist of cancer domination.
Raising awareness of cancer, those little yellow wristbands became one of the most successful fundraising campaigns of all-time. Lance Armstrong, the sporting world’s equivalent to 50 Cent, is a man who should have been dead several times over.
However, through perseverance and dedication, Armstrong overcame all odds, and in the process, created one of the most successful fundraisers ever in the Livestrong bracelet. Promoting awareness of his cancer foundation, these bracelets have helped the Livestrong foundation to raise over $325 million in just ten years.
8. Save the Ta-Tas
This is the only appropriate image result yielded from googling “ta-tas.”
One of the most creative campaigns to ever put the “fun” in fundraising is “Save the Ta-tas” foundation, specializing in raising money for breast cancer research. While cancer research is rarely sexy, Save the Ta-Tas does everything it can to change that, offering products such as t-shirts and wristbands, and well as other products like a breast self-examination gel known as “boob lube.”
They have raised almost three quarters of a million dollars in just three years of existence, proving that even in the charity world, sex sells.
9. Girl Scout Cookies
Pick your poison!
The most brilliant fundraising campaign ever, the Girl Scouts have been growing fat off of America’s willingness to grow fat for over 80 years. Despite the fact that a box costs roughly $1900 and only contains four cookies, America simply does not care.
Girl Scout cookies are only available once a year, causing households to fill their freezers and empty their wallets so that troops can enjoy trips and projects. Whatever the reason for their fundraising, few people care, as long as they can get their hands on six dozen boxes of Thin Mints.
Conclusion:
Though getting people to give up their money is never easy, coming up with a clever angle makes it remarkably easier. These nine fundraising campaigns are some of the most creative and successful of all time, which is why most organizations do their best to emulate them in whichever way they can.
