Successful Fundraising Ideas for Groups and Clubs

Ransom Note Fundraiser Idea

How to organize a successful ransom note fundraiser

See just how well your local business owners, bosses, teachers, and other community leaders are loved by holding a “Ransom Note Fundraiser”. The way this fundraising idea works is to get your community leaders involved by having them show up at a designated place (e.g., coffee shop), instead of reporting for work. This makes the process more enjoyable for them because they can spend a few hours talking shop and drinking coffee with other business and community leaders.

Once you have your participating business and community leaders safely tucked away, you deliver a funny ransom note to one of their assistants (who should already know what’s going on) and have them collect a dollar (or more) from each employee to pay the ransom to get their boss back.

If you want to add an extra element of fun, take a photo of each kidnapped community leader with a bag over their head and include that with the ransom note which can all be delivered digitally. Have the assistant who is collecting the money explain that this is all for fun, so that none of the employees get concerned. You can also have the bosses call their workplaces and explain the fundraiser and encourage everyone to donate so they can be released.

To set the bosses free, a representative from the company must deliver the cash in an unmarked brown paper lunch sack before a certain time (2 to 3 hours) or else the boss gets it! When we say “gets it!”, we mean they get a small plaque (or something similar) that says “My employees don’t love me”. In the end, the boss of the business that delivers the most cash (average per employee) is awarded the “Top Boss” award. You can even ask the “bosses” if their business will match the employee contributions. Since some people no longer carry cash these days, you can accept IOUs or simply have the assistant write down everyone’s name and the amount they would like to contribute on a spreadsheet for collection at a later time.

This is a relatively easy fundraiser to set up for just about any type of group, club or organization. In fact, it’s so easy and fun, that you’ll probably want to make it an annual event. Try and get at least 20 businesses to participate, preferably businesses with a lot of employees. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to bring in more than $1,000 from this fundraising event as long as you get the businesses to match the employee contributions. Make it fun and be sure to take lots of photos for social media posting.