As the leaves turn and the air gets crisper, it’s the perfect time to “Fall into Fundraising”! With festive energy in the air, there are plenty of ways to make fundraising for childhood cancer research exciting and impactful this autumn. Whether you’re looking for activities that engage a community, involve kids, or bring families together, here are some ideas to kick off a successful fall fundraising season.
1. “You’ve Been Booed” Buckets
Spread some spooky cheer while raising funds with “You’ve Been Booed” buckets! Here’s how it works: you leave treats on a neighbor’s doorstep, along with a special flyer, and ask them to pass it on. But this time, we’re putting a meaningful twist on the tradition to help Conquer Kids’ Cancer. Each St. Baldrick’s Boo Flyer will also include a QR code for people to learn more about the mission.
Do you have an active participant or fundraising page with St. Baldrick’s? You can use this customizable flyer to add your own QR code directing people to your St. Baldrick’s fundraising page. You can find your personal QR code in the Members Area of your dashboard, located in the lower right corner under ‘Your Details’ when you’re logged in.
2. Harvest Festival or Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser
Who doesn’t love a good pumpkin patch or harvest festival in the fall? You can bring the charm of the season to your community with an easy-to-organize event featuring classic autumn activities. Set up a pumpkin-decorating station with pumpkins from a local farm, host simple games like ring toss or sack races, and offer fall treats like caramel apples or cider for a small donation. This type of event can be hosted at a school, park, or community center, making it easy for anyone to join in on the fun!
For a larger gathering, consider reaching out to a local pumpkin patch or farm to explore partnership opportunities.
3. Fall Photo Mini-Sessions
Are you a photographer, or do you know one? Consider donating a portion of proceeds from holiday photo sessions to support St. Baldrick’s. Fall is the perfect season for capturing family portraits, kids in Halloween costumes, or cozy holiday card photos with beautiful autumn backdrops. By contributing a percentage of each session, photographers can offer families memorable photos while helping to raise funds for childhood cancer research. You could even keep the momentum going with a “Best Fall Photo Contest” on social media afterward to keep clients engaged and excited!
4. Football Watch Party or Tailgate
Leverage the excitement of football season by hosting a game day watch party or tailgate event! Charge a small entry fee, sell refreshments, and set up fun football-themed activities like a corn hole or a halftime raffle. You can also ask for donations through a “predict-the-score” game, where the winner splits the pot with the fundraiser. This is a great way to bring together sports fans for a cause they care about.
5. “Fall Into Giving” Scavenger Hunt
Organize a fall-themed scavenger hunt that families, friends, or coworkers can enjoy together. Set up a list of fun items, landmarks, or seasonal treasures to find and encourage participants to donate to enter. Offer a prize for the team or individual who completes the hunt the fastest or finds the most unique items. Bonus points for taking photos or selfies at each location!
6. “Fall Fun Run” or Harvest Walk
Invite families to enjoy the beautiful fall weather with a “Fall Fun Run” or Harvest Walk. Set up a family-friendly route through a park or neighborhood, where participants can walk or run at their own pace. Make it festive by encouraging costumes, adding themed activity stations like mini pumpkin decorating, and offering warm cider or cocoa at the finish line. Charge a small registration fee or suggest a donation to join the fun. This is a great way to get people moving, celebrate the season, and support kids with cancer!
Embrace the season’s unique charm to “Fall into Fundraising” and build community spirit with each event. Not only will these ideas help raise money for lifesaving childhood cancer research, but they’ll also create lasting memories.
