Sorority fundraising is a great way to bring sisters together, support your chapter’s philanthropic goals, and raise money for sorority activities or community causes. Whether you’re looking for a fun campus event, a creative sales fundraiser, or an online campaign that can reach family, friends, and alumni, there are plenty of ways to raise money for your chapter.
The best sorority fundraisers are more than just money-making activities. They give members a chance to work as a team, build leadership and organizational skills, and connect with the campus community. From walk-a-thons and fitness events to crowdfunding campaigns, merchandise sales, and community service projects, you can choose a fundraiser that fits your chapter and fundraising goals.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best sorority fundraising ideas and share tips for planning, promoting, and managing a successful campaign.
How to Choose the Right Sorority Fundraiser
Selecting the right fundraiser is the first step to your sorority’s success. Consider the following questions as you narrow down the best ideas for your group.
Your fundraising goal: How much does your chapter need to raise?
Your audience: Are you primarily reaching other students, parents, alumni, and/or the community?
Your timeline: Do you need to raise money quickly, or can you plan a larger campaign or community event?
Your chapter size: Some fundraisers work better with a smaller group of participants, while others benefit from hundreds of participants.
Your message and cause: Is the money supporting chapter activities or a philanthropic partner? What message are you conveying with your fundraising?
The 10+ Best Sorority Fundraising Ideas
Sorority fundraising is not only a great way to raise funds for your sorority, but it’s also a great way to help young women learn organizational and leadership skills, make long-lasting friendships, and gain experience serving their community. Sorority members are young women with exceptional skills in entrepreneurship, academics, and community service. Here are some great fundraising ideas to help your sorority start raising funds and engaging supporters.
Yoga or Health and Fitness Workshops
Women are often conscious of their well-being, both inside and out. Yet, college can be a challenging transition for young women as they go out on their own. They no longer have the guidance of parents or close high school friends and teachers. Why not offer fundraising activities that strengthen the mind and body?
Consider having your sorority host self-defense classes or yoga workshops to pass along safety skills and nurture the body, mind, and soul. Partner with local instructors to offer classes for fellow female students, teachers, and parents throughout the week. Charge an admission fee and host the class at your sorority house or the gymnasium at your school. Instructors may donate their time in exchange for an opportunity to introduce their studio to the university and recruit new students. Promote the event through women’s organizations, the school paper and website, email blasts, and social media.
Sorority Walk-a-thon and Fun Run Events
How about hosting a walk-a-thon through campus? Each sorority member will have family, friends, and personal networks to contact for donations, and the sorority can send donation and sponsorship request letters to alumni and local businesses. A walk-a-thon website lets your organization manage event registrations and solicit funds more widely. Local businesses (especially those that cater to women) may be willing to sponsor your sorority walk-a-thon to build awareness within the campus community and support your cause.
Many organizations successfully host virtual walkathons to expand their reach or when social distancing is needed.
Fundraising Color Runs
Greek fundraising campaigns have great fundraising success with Color Run fundraisers. Color runs are 5K or shorter distance runs where participants are doused in colorful powdered paint during the race. Get a fraternity to join in the fun and fundraising with this one! Add an after-party at the house to bring the community together and give event sponsors a chance to showcase their products and offer samples.
Adding a fundraising raffle or silent auction to the post-walkathon celebration can bring in additional funds. Partner with a local health food store to bring in granola bars and energy drinks to sell for even more revenue.
Community Workshops
What other types of services can your sorority provide to the local community? Consider your sorority’s mission and your sisters’ skills. If your sorority focuses on professional development and business skills, consider offering a workshop that teaches study skills. Or maybe you want to offer private tutoring sessions or bring in a guest speaker to discuss entrepreneurship? Talk with university faculty to see if you can borrow a room or auditorium for a few hours to host resume-building workshops. Have sorority members or volunteers from the local business community help students build a great resume and cover letter and develop interviewing skills. These workshops don’t need to be educational either; some people just want to learn a new hobby. Find out what interests your members and consider hosting a hobby day where sorority sisters teach knitting, baking, or photography.
Girls’ Summer Camps
Some sorority sisters live in the sorority house during the summer, while many head home to spend the summer with their families. Why not use the extra space in your home and offer a summer camp for younger girls? Target school-aged girls so you don’t have to worry about nap time and diapers. Since children over five are already in school, parents often look for summer activities. Parents may consider your camp a fun alternative to regular daycare. Charge an entrance fee and advertise with local schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and around town. It doesn’t matter what activities you host as long as you have fun and teach the girls new things like singing new songs, learning new games, or learning how to make breakfast for their parents.
At the close of camp, do something so the girls feel special. Make them honorary “junior members” of the society, or reward them with a special medal or framed photo to celebrate their achievements. They will love being part of a special grown-up club and enjoy learning from people they admire.
Community Service Projects
Service to the community while raising money for your sorority makes this a special fundraising opportunity. Organize groups committed to a service area: pre-school care, park or beach clean-up, help for elderly homeowners, or feeding the hungry. In the weeks leading up to the serve-a-thon fundraiser, participants solicit online and mobile donations to support the cause. Top fundraisers and groups are recognized and rewarded with prizes. Serve-a-thon fundraising events are a great way to support the community you serve and raise awareness of your mission.
Sorority Fundraising Sales
If a fundraising event isn’t right for your sorority, consider selling something to raise the money you need. Sororities can sell branded school and sorority merchandise online or at university events. Or perhaps sell items with your sorority motto or crest to family members and other supporters, such as sorority shirts, sweatshirts, bumper stickers, hats, or blankets. A table can be set up at any university event to sell these items, or you can set up an eCommerce store and sell them online. Our Simple Stores offer peer-to-peer fundraising sales, allowing your sorority to track sales by member.
Toilet Paper and Necessities Sales
In college, it seems pretty standard for students to run out of the bare necessities. Try selling one of life’s necessities to raise money for your cause. Your group buys a truckload of toilet paper at wholesale prices, then resells rolls to other groups. This is absolutely something people need! It also makes sense to approach groups (perhaps dorms and/or other sorority houses) with lots of people who always need to keep toilet paper stocked. Keep some extra on hand and offer individual packs for sale in high-traffic areas. What better way to avoid a trip to the store if you can pick up a needed roll on your way home from class? Use funny slogans and stickers to promote your cause, such as “Help wipe out hunger!”
Consider selling fundraising discount cards or books. These are great items to offer current students who are conscious of their spending. These cards typically sell for $10–$20 each and offer savings on or around campus at local restaurants, bookstores, and more.
Wristband Fundraisers
Budget-conscious college students may not want to purchase something that costs much more than their lunch. So offering affordable options is a great idea. Colorful silicone wristbands can be imprinted with your group’s message and easily sold after classes, during lunch, or at campus events (just fill up your backpack whenever you are out). You can make a 50% profit by selling the bands for only $2.00. Many students have a couple of bucks in their pockets, and once they buy one, they can show their support by wearing the bracelet. The Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised more than $100 million for cancer research with the Live Strong wristband campaign.
Best Practices for Running a Successful Sorority Fundraiser
A successful sorority fundraiser takes more than just choosing the best idea. From setting a realistic fundraising goal to getting your entire chapter involved, thoughtful planning can make a big difference in how much you raise and how much your members enjoy the experience. Keep these best practices in mind as you plan and run your next sorority fundraiser.
- Set specific fundraising goals for individuals and the chapter
- Assign fundraising roles to sisters or groups
- Set a realistic timeline that creates urgency
- Create a dedicated fundraising page
- Encourage every sister to participate
- Use social media to promote the event
- Reach out to alumni
- Recruit community sponsors
- Use peer-to-peer fundraising
- Offer incentives and friendly competition
- Always thank donors and share your fundraising results
Sorority Fundraising FAQ’s
The best sorority fundraising ideas engage members, alumni, families, and the local community while supporting your chapter’s goals. Popular sorority fundraising ideas include walk-a-thons, fun runs, color runs, charity auctions, raffles, crowdfunding campaigns, merchandise sales, fitness workshops, and community service events.
Sororities can raise money for philanthropy by organizing fundraisers that combine an engaging activity with a meaningful cause. Examples include peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, charity walks and runs, and online donation campaigns.
Some of the easiest sorority fundraisers to organize include merchandise sales, online raffles, donation drives, and peer-to-peer fundraising events. Online fundraising can be especially convenient because members can share a fundraising page with friends, family, alumni, and supporters without requiring everyone to attend an in-person event.
Peer-to-peer fundraising for sororities allows individual members to fundraise on behalf of their chapter or philanthropic cause. The chapter creates a campaign, members share personalized fundraising pages with their networks, and supporters donate online. A fundraising leaderboard, team goals, incentives, and social media promotion can add friendly competition and encourage members to raise more. Peer-to-peer fundraising works particularly well for walk-a-thons, fun runs, color runs, service projects, and other activity-based fundraisers.
Sororities can engage alumni through targeted alumni fundraising campaigns, such as online donation pages and custom merchandise sales. Make it easy for alumni to contribute by providing a simple online donation or fundraising page they can share by email and on social media.
Sororities can attract sponsors by creating sponsorship packages that provide meaningful exposure to the campus and local community. Start by identifying businesses that connect to or align with your members, audience, or philanthropic cause. Offer benefits such as logo placement, social media recognition, event signage, and recognition on your fundraising website.
Sororities can increase donations by setting a specific fundraising goal, creating an easy online donation experience, and encouraging every sorority member to participate in a campaign. Consistently promoting fundraising campaigns through email, text messaging, and social media is also key to reaching goals.
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