11 Effective Fundraising Ideas for Military and Servicemen

11 Effective Fundraising Ideas for Military and Servicemen
Raise money for veterans.
Raise money for active duty military.
Raise money for firefighters and police officers.
Raise money with crowdfunding.

11 Effective Fundraising Ideas for Military and Servicemen

Use The Fundraising Ideas Below to Raise Money For:

Veterans


Firefighters


Police


Soldiers


Army


Marines

Crowdfunding

The Best Fundraising Idea for Military and Servicemen


  • What is crowdfunding?

    Crowdfunding is a fundraising method that helps individuals raise money for any cause through an online donation page.

  • Why is it great?

    Crowdfunding is a top fundraising option for fundraisers for military and servicemen because campaigns succeed and fail based on their ability to connect their story with their audience. Stories tied to active military, veterans, servicemen, and other heroes are inherently compelling.

  • How can I begin?

    First, you’ll want to pick a crowdfunding platform. See what sites other similar military-related campaigns have had success with. Then, to begin your campaign, you simply set a fundraising goal, create your crowdfunding page, and promote your campaign. It’s that easy.

Investing in All-in-One Nonprofit Software

The Best Fundraising Idea for Military and Servicemen


  • What is an all-in-one nonprofit software?

    Nonprofit software often comes piecemeal, requiring organizations to invest in separate platforms for donor outreach, donation management, payment processing, and more. All-in-one solutions include all of these features and more in one software solution.

  • Why is it great?

    All-in-one solutions support fundraising for military and servicemen by ensuring that all of your events, outreach, and donation forms are available in one convenient place. This allows your nonprofit to stay organized and track donors throughout their entire journey towards giving. By using all-in-one nonprofit software, nonprofits can tailor the donation experience for each individual supporter. 

  • How can I begin?

    Start researching all-in-one platforms to find one that’s right for your organization. Once you’ve found a solution, use it to start marketing your veteran fundraising campaign through email, create donor profiles to track each supporter, and analyze the data you collect to improve your campaign as a whole.

Use our most popular fundraising idea to raise money right now.

Other Great Fundraising Ideas

Carol Singing



The holidays are hard for our servicemen and women who are many miles away from loved ones, so they really need our support. If you want to send donations around the holidays, consider a caroling fundraiser.

Recruit your carolers to walk your neighborhood and bring cheer door-to-door. Have them carry a donation jar to collect funds.

Make sure your carolers take a moment to explain who and what they’re fundraising for. That way, your carolers will be raising cheer and awareness.


Engraved Bricks



Engraved bricks work well for folks looking to build memorials in honor of fallen servicemen and servicewomen. This is especially true if the structure will be made of bricks.

Sell engraved bricks to donors and either set up the bricks as an art installation or incorporate them into the actual structure you’re building.

Donors will love the permanence of your recognition and you can get creative with how you display them. There are even companies dedicated to providing this kind of fundraising brick.


Grocery Store Fundraisers



With grocery store fundraisers, you can see if the store has a corporate giving program or would be willing to do a checkout charity arrangement. Try checking in around 4th of July or Veteran’s day.

Additionally, you can set up a grocery delivery program within your community. Have volunteers shop for and deliver groceries to members of the community in exchange for donations.

When it comes to grocery stores, you can fundraise and serve your community. Visit your local store to see what opportunities abound.


Charity Concert



Charity concerts for our troops are extremely popular, and for good reason. They raise money and offer entertainment to the deserving women and men of our armed forces.

To be successful, you’ll need a venue, performers, promotions, concessions, proper equipment, and decorations. The less you spend on those essentials, the more you’ll make for every ticket sold.

Know your audience and plan your event accordingly. A concert for kids and families will have different needs than one aimed at only at active duty servicemen and women. The audience should inform all planning you do.


Walkathons



Walkathons are the perfect fundraising idea for military and servicemen because they’re active and healthy, which mirrors the lifestyle of our soldiers, servicemen, and veterans.

Usually organized by a specific community or organization, walkathons ask participants to secure donation pledges based on the distance they’re able to walk.

Pledges will be the driving force of the fundraiser, but make sure that your walkathon offers items for sale such as concessions and commemorative t-shirts. Also, plan around weather and look for indoor venues during winter.


Restaurant Partnership



Many local and national restaurants are open to partnering with charities and organizations for fundraising nights. You can either work with a major chain, like Panera Bread, or talk to the owners of a local joint.

Typically, the way restaurant partnerships work is straight forward. Restaurants will host a night in your honor, where a portion of all sales are donated to your cause.

The restaurant makes the donations and you work to promote the evening and ensure all the tables are full throughout the night. You’ll likely have more success if you plan the fundraiser close to the 4th of July or Veteran’s Day.


Product Fundraising



When running a product fundraiser, you are selling products (often times products that are branded to your organization) in exchange for donations.

Pick a product (from t-shirts to water bottles to key chains), customize your product design, gather your inventory, and sell, sell, sell.

We recommend selling your product online so that servicemen and women who are stationed abroad will have the chance to purchase the products as well. You can supplement with in-person sales in your community, too.


Envelope Fundraiser



Envelope fundraisers aren’t that well known, but they’re quite easy to plan and execute well. To prep, you’ll need envelopes and a bulletin board in a prominent location.

Put your envelopes on the bulletin board and assign each a dollar value. Then, interested donors walk by and put cash that matches the dollar value in the envelope. 

Just be strategic about the number of envelopes you put out and the dollar amounts you assign them. Find a central location for the bulletin, too, such as the VA.


Charity Auctions



Charity auctions put the fun in fundraising. They bring out everyone’s competitive spirits for a night of bidding and excitement.

For your auction to be a smash hit, you’ll want to secure a bunch of sought after items and auction packages. Then, you can either run a silent or live auction to start raising money.

The best charity auctions have a live and a silent portion, allowing your organization to capitalize on the fundraising opportunity and give even more to a worthy cause, such as health care for veterans.


Want to learn more about corporate giving programs?

Top Resources to Help You Fundraise

117+ Fundraising Ideas for all Causes


This comprehensive resource contains over 200 fundraising ideas.

Still looking for more fundraising ideas and inspiration? Good thing we’ve compiled a diverse list of over 100 fundraising ideas to help you! You’ll select a fundraiser in no time!


Crowdfunding: The Beginner’s Guide


This crowdfunding guide will help you plan your campaign if you choose crowdfunding as your fundraising idea.

Crowdfunding is one of our top fundraising ideas. If you’re interested in pursuing it but not sure where to start, this guide will give you all the necessary background.


Donation Requests: 45+ Companies That Donate


Check out what companies will fulfill your donation requests.

Have you requested donations from companies? There are many businesses in your community that might be open to donating. This guide shows you where to look!