One of the best ways to support a foster child in need is through donations. And with a topic so close to the heart as this one, finding resources is imperative. According to the ACF, in 2020 there were approximately 400,000 children in foster care. Today, there are still 391,000 children in foster care, with only half of whom are in licensed facilities.
So, how does one get creative and strategize so that we can make a positive impact on the lives of children with foster care donations?
Traditional Fundraising Methods
- Events
- Direct mail fundraising
- Grants
Three of the most popular traditional fundraising methods include events, direct mail donations, and grants. Events like walk-a-thons, trivia nights, contests, or dances are great ways to get people in the door and involved in something bigger than themselves.
Direct mail fundraising is when donors contribute their funds via snail mail. Online software can make it easy to personalize the packets that are sent out, allowing for customized messages that address the recipient by their name. If a nonprofit decides to go with this method, adding a personalized, heartfelt touch to the donation packs will go a long way.
On the other hand, we have grants that can help to aid non-profits like foster care groups. They may be offered on the federal, state, or even local levels.
As a whole, traditional fundraising offers several significant benefits. For example, most groups are familiar with how they work, it’s a ‘‘tried and true”, timeless method, and its usually cost-effective.
However, sometimes, traditional fundraising can have notable disadvantages. Events can require an overwhelming amount of planning on the back end and often require a group of volunteers, while direct mail can be difficult to achieve results with, and grants can be competitive and complicated to apply for.
That’s why we compiled some fresh ideas for foster care donations and fundraising below.
Creative Fundraising Ideas
- Donation Drives at Local Schools
Children inside the foster care system may lack the resources they need in order to gather all the necessary school supplies. This can lead to the child feeling uncomfortable or even embarrassed at the beginning of each year.
Running a fundraiser like a back-to-school fill-a-backpack event at a local fostering agency is a great solution to the problem at hand. Getting connected with a member of the school board or a teacher can get help to get the word out by putting fliers inside the hallways of schools in a local district.
Another idea is to have students help with the donation. Pupils can pick out and donate one or two spare supplies (such as pencils, notebooks, or crayons) and give them a hand-drawn picture or a personalized note that helps the kids feel less alone.
As the year progresses, you can find other ways to host donation drives at the schools, such as holiday toy drives at Christmas or book donation drives during book fair week.
- Consider Collaborations and Partnerships
Collaborating or partnering with businesses, organizations, and influencers can help reach a wider audience so that they can raise more funds for foster care. Here are some ideas on how to get creative in these collaborations:
- Host joint events
- Use social media
- Create a product
Through these partnerships, nonprofits can take the seed of the idea of traditional fundraising and flip it on its head. For example, they could put on a joint event like a speaking engagement with a significant local figure. The community may be more responsive to this (especially if the nonprofit is new) since well-known influencers/leaders like authors or city commissioners have rapport and reach.
Also, don’t be afraid to cold-email large corporations or organizations. After all, the worst they can say is no.
Influencers
The biggest untapped market for foster care donations is social media influencers. It’s surprising how many influencers are willing to collaborate online if they’re asked. By working with influencers, the group can receive organic reach and even go viral.
Consider combining a social media campaign with an item that you and the influencer can create together. For example, you could design a Stanley-style drinking cup with the influencer’s color palette and the non-profit’s logo.
- Make Online Campaigns with a Creative Twist
Continuing with the idea of social media, let’s explore the power of online platforms when it comes to fundraising for foster care.
Well-known crowdfunding platforms like Go-Fund-Me are an excellent place to start because they create a sense of urgency. However, regular social media can also be used to make a campaign (Think: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter). Overall, online campaigns tend to have a broader reach than traditional fundraising.
However, it’s not enough to just create an online campaign: It needs to be unique and creative! One has to put oneself out there with regular daily posts and make engaging content. It’s been shown that social media users like to see faces in videos, so take this into account when brainstorming ideas.
Consider getting involved in viral challenges and trending topics that are currently taking off on TikTok or Instagram. Things like the ‘ice bucket challenge,’ dance challenges, and lip sync challenges can help accounts achieve views quickly. Be sure to put a link to a place to donate inside of the account’s bio: It’s a simple way to let people know why you’re online.
Foster care groups can also offer an online bonus for those who donate, like an online party/gala or entry in a virtual raffle or auction. By combining the ideas of social media with traditional fundraising concepts of ticketed raffles, groups can boost their reach and donations while reaching a larger amount of people.
- Boost Community Engagement
At its heart, community is one of the most important aspects of in-person foster care fundraising.
Events where groups work together to reach a specific savings goal feel inspiring and gratifying. Neighborhood yard sales are an easy way to raise money in the summer without having to leave their homes. Bake sales at a local church, crafts sales at the school, and plant sales at small greenhouses are other great ways to help people get involved in the cause.
- Make It Personal with Fundraising Strategies
No matter what fundraising method is chosen, know that it needs a personal touch. When sending out invitations for events, consider writing a handwritten and heartfelt letter. People love to connect with other people.
You can also consider integrating incentives, like the largest donor getting a grand prize and having the other donors receive something that warms the heart. For example, every donor could receive a small craft or letter from a foster child in the community who will benefit. If sponsorship is the chosen method of fundraising, provide frequent updates and give sponsors a chance to meet and interact with the children they’re supporting.
- Celebrate on Holidays/Commemorative Days
Everyone loves to celebrate holidays off work, so why not use these festive times to aid in earning foster care donations?
Quirky and fun events like ugly Christmas sweater parties and Halloween costume contests or trunk-or-treats are often well-received. The best part is that it’s easy to make these events affordable (Ex. $10 tickets) for the local community and still make a big difference.
If the holiday season already passed, you might want to consider choosing non-postal holidays and do something unique like “Pi Day Pie Sales!” or “Plant a Flower Community Gardening Day”.
Takeaway on Foster Care Donations
“We do not need to know the beginning of a child’s story to change the ending.”- Fi Newood
In conclusion, fundraising is an essential facet of the diamond that is foster care. So whether you are a community member or a nonprofit, get out there and make a difference! Remember that every single fundraiser counts- no matter how big or small.
If you’re interested in donating to Texas children in foster care, visit Therapeutic Family Life’s donation page or give us a call at (800) 394-4939 to learn more about other ways you can help!
About This Author
Aleah Fitzwater
Aleah Fitzwater has a bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education PK-12. With her degree and experience in the classroom (alongside teaching private music lessons) she has developed a rich connection to children. Through the arts and educational psychology, Aleah learned to connect with pupils in a unique and vulnerable way. She is currently a freelance blogger,musician, andprivate online music educator.
