20 Essential Fundraising Ideas

Sell Window Cards or Posters Signed by the Entire Cast

The next time you print up promotional posters, postcards, or window cards, be sure to save a few back, then have them signed by the entire cast!  These items are great keepsakes, and make great items for auction.

You can also do the same with T-shirts signed by the cast, as well.  Make sure everyone uses permanent Sharpie markers, for longevity.

Throw an Exclusive Cocktail Party with the Cast

Sell admission (by invitation only) to an exclusive, swanky cocktail party with the cast whose theme ties in with the show. Get RSVP's, see if you can get a caterer to donate food, and have the cast attend in full costume.

Auction or Sell Signed Copies of Cool Production Stuff

If you can get the blessings of the appropriate designers, auction off sketches or signed computer-generated images of your costume designs, set designs, or light plots, all autographed by the designers themselves.

Trade Ad Space or Credit for Auctionable Goods or Services

Trading out a little ad space, a production credit, or a special patron thanks is a smart and savvy way to get some goods or services that you can then auction off as part of your fundraising efforts. Such goods and services might include:

• Trips from a local travel agency
• Dinners for two from local restaurants
• Desserts or goodies at local bakeries
• Floral arrangements
• Food baskets
• Housecleaning or handyman services -- and more!

Stage and Sell a Romantic Evening...

Auction off a romantic evening created by your cast and crew! Join up with a local restaurant for the meal itself, then serve the meal on a beautifully appointed table on your stage, under the 'stars' and against a beautiful backdrop. Have select members of the cast 'serve' the happy couple and serenade them throughout the evening.

Auction Off Those Hats and Canes!

For dance groups involving a bit of glitz, like tap or jazz, for instance, auction signed tap shoes or taps, top hats, canes, scarves, or other jazzy accouterments.

Get a Little More Life out of Those Old Dancing Shoes

For ballet companies, auction off old pointe shoes from the principal dancers, and autographed by them. For a dramatic touch, mount the shoes on a doll stand before selling at auction.

Sell a Free Dinner with the Cast.

Auction off an intimate dinner with the leading actors after a show. Everyone loves the chance to meet and talk to performers!

Turn Old Strings and Programs into Shadowboxed Art

For symphonies, make shadowboxes of programs or concert posters, and incorporate everything from batons to cello or violin strings, and more into the pieces -- then auction them off at a premium. Don't forget to get special guests or principals to sign them!

Auction Off a Few Choice Costumes or Set Pieces

As a variation on the previous approach, if your storage or costume shop is overflowing with costumes, props, or set pieces, consider auctioning off certain set pieces or props, as well. Again, you could have these signed by designers or cast principals, depending on the items involved.

Sell Bargain Tickets to the Final Dress

Sell admission to your final dress rehearsal(s) at a reduced rate. Today's poor student is tomorrow's successful theatre patron.

Team Up with a Local Restaurant

Team up with a local restaurant for a 'themed' night, at a special price per plate, with serenading performances by your cast throughout the meal.

Paint, Sign, and Sell Your Old Instruments

For symphonies or musical groups, collect old or broken (i.e., unplayable) instruments from musicians, then have them signed or painted by the musicians, and auction or raffle them off! It's a great and special way to add a bit of life to the instrument and turns it into a treasured keepsake.

Sell Admission to a Staged Reading

Stage a highly publicized one-night-only (or one-weekend-only) reading, and sell tickets at a premium. Add a bit of glitz to the event by involving a local celeb or respected guest, even a local politician. Keep everything formal, beautifully set up, and elegant.  Use barstools for the performers, not chairs. Light the reading creatively.  And introduce and close the reading with reminders to donate and support the rest of your season.

Ask Your Local Business Community

If you're a nonprofit, solicit donations of goods to sell or auction from local businesses, emphasizing that you'll promote their support in your PR campaign as well as in your programs for the year.

Stage Benefit Concerts... Even in the Streets!

While benefit concerts are a tried and true approach, you could take that a step further and offer smaller, isolated performances around town for donations, including soloists, duets, string quartets, and more.  Always make sure the performers are clearly wearing T-shirts or sweatshirts with your organization name or logo -- every little bit of advertising helps!

Use the Power of Social Media

Get a business to offer a show sponsorship or donation if you get X number of Facebook fans... then get those fans! Do a variation of this on Twitter, promising some humorous but dire outcome if you don't reach the desired number of followers.

Sell Your Stuff on CafePress

Put your logo on an array of stuff at CafePress. It's free for a basic assortment (meaning a single image on everything available). Mark everything up to PREMIUM. Don't hesitate. You'll thank me. Then promote the heck out of it. Full disclosure -- We've run a CafePress store for five years, both in support of my theatrical enterprises, as well as to celebrate my love of pop culture and the performing arts. It's something that's easy, free (or nearly free), and a surprising revenue source if you promote it right.

Get a Local Corporation to Sponsor an Appropriate Show

Today, it's all about branding and promotion. So get a local corporation to sponsor a specific show. This is especially effective if the show and the corporation are a good match. For instance:

• Get an ad agency, temp agency, or office-supply company to sponsor How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying
• Get a realty group or groups to support Glengarry Glen Ross
• Get a swanky local hair salon or group to sponsor your production of Hair
• See if a local veteran's organization will sponsor your production of Mister Roberts -- or A Few Good Men!

Auction Off the Best Seats in the House

Some people want the best, and they're willing to pay for it!  With this in mind, sell the two (or four, or six, etc.) best seats in the house at a premium, at auction. Sell them by the show, or by the season -- you'll be surprised how popular this option will turn out to be.

So that's the scoop!

You get the idea...  Your fundraising possibilities are limited only by your creativity. Go forth, be creative -- then share your successes in our forums!