Jeffrey Victor

Top 5 Best Fundraising Ideas

By Stella Bayiokos, Vice President of Public Relations

1. Penny Wars

Penny Wars is an easy way your chapter can raise money quickly. Penny Wars works by dividing teams either by grade or class and encouraging those teams to raise as much money from loose change or bills. Once the teams are official, whichever team collects the most money is rewarded by your chapter. Some ideas could be a bagel breakfast, dollar tree candy, etc. Make sure you publicize your event through the school newspaper, announcements, and social media so the whole school knows.

2. Pickleball/Volleyball Tournament

A pickleball or volleyball tournament is a more active fundraiser. This requires more organization. Organizing a sign-up form for the students is the simplest way of organizing the teams and keeping track of how much money they give. Each team can be charged an admissions fee. Once the teams are established you can create a bracket and let the games begin!

3. Chocolate Bar Sell

Chocolate bar sells are one of the most popular sells in high school. A few companies that offer boxes to be sold at high schools are Gertrude Hawk, Hershey’s, ABC Fundraising, and more! Some companies even have over 50% profit for each box. If you are interested in doing a chocolate bar sell, make sure to discuss a company with your chapter and reach out!

4. Movie Night

Movie nights are a great relaxing fundraiser that all students can participate in. This fundraiser requires little organization. It is simple enough that can be held multiple times at your school! If you are interested in this fundraiser make sure to ask your school’s permission first!

5. Coffeehouse Night

Coffeehouse night is a great fundraiser for students who play an instrument, sing, or have a band! With the right organization, coffeehouses can be a great social event held monthly at your school. With a small admissions fee and volunteers willing to play, you can raise a lot of money! If you are interested make sure you ask your school’s permission first!

Mission: Victorious

By: Olivia Lang, Southern Region Vice President

This year NJ DECA is on a mission to raise as much money as possible for the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation. The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation was named after Alicia Rose DiNatale. She was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer at the age of 16 and she was constantly in and out of the hospital. Alicia never got the chance to be in the school musical or go to school events since she was homeschooled in the hospital. The mission of this foundation is to provide strength and support for hospitalized children by way of providing Teen Lounges, Social Activities, Events, and other various programming to enhance the quality of life for adolescents with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

We picked this foundation for NJ DECA because most teenagers can relate to being in hospitals or knowing people that have experienced serious illnesses. We want to give kids our age the chance to have the teenage experience and this foundation made it possible. If your chapter is participating in the state community service project make sure you refer to the Top 5 Best Fundraising Ideas article to begin!