Need an easy fundraiser that doesn’t require a big financial outlay or time investment but still brings good results?  Try collecting donations in coffee cans!  This is as green as it gets, both from the money point of view and the environmental impact.

Ask your friends, family, and fellow committee members to save their empty coffee cans and lids.  Make holes in the lids that will allow people to deposit change or bills.  Cover the cans with bright paper to make them eye catching.  Be sure to have your organization’s name and logo clearly displayed, as well as the reason for the collection.

For example, if you’re collecting to help supply underprivileged children with school supplies, say what school it is and what will be purchased.  Mention that the donations are necessary or the children won’t have the supplies they need.  In this case, a picture of children in the mentioned age group will help people connect emotionally to the project.  A catchy slogan is always a good idea, too.  It tends to stay with people even after they leave the store.

There are several ways you can cover the coffee cans.  One option is using a computer program and printing the covers in color, or on colored paper using dark ink.  If no one is computer savvy enough for this, hand lettering is another possibility.  Be sure the printing is clearly legible and easily seen with either of these methods.

Some companies sell fund raising donation containers in varied styles and materials, too.  In one way, this is an excellent choice for acquiring containers.  The more professional the appearance, the more confidence your organization will inspire in the donating public.  In the end, however, this option will cut into the proceeds and lower your profit.

Contact your local merchants and ask to place collection cans at their cash registers.  Tell them about your organization and let them know who will be receiving the proceeds.  Give them an idea of how long you will be collecting at their location, and let them know you will be visiting weekly to pick up the donations.

If you have the volunteers and can get donated supplies, you can make handmade construction cutouts and decorate them - wishing stars or ribbons are good ways to show appreciation. They can be handed out to donors or they can write their name on them and the cutouts can be displayed in the store to boos community spirit.

If the time you have to put into a fundraiser is in short supply, this makes an easy and viable way to raise some money for your group.  Remember, when the fundraiser is over, the containers can be recycled or saved to use again.  This makes the project completely green!