Obtaining a Service Dog isn’t without its costs, and coming up with ideas to fundraise can be difficult. While effective fundraising takes time, energy, and passion, with a little creative thinking and planning, anyone can fundraise for a Service Dog. Of course there’s Kickstarter and GoFundMe but sometimes its hard to only ask for donations. To get your creative juices flowing, here’s a list of 100 Service Dog fundraising ideas.
When you’re first beginning to fundraise for a Service Dog, seek out organizations or groups who may be willing or able to assist you plan, host or advertise for events. Churches, Boys/Girls Scout troops, local lodges or other service-based groups are excellent places to begin looking.
For any events, activities, special occasions or tournaments, be sure to either charge admission/participation fee or to ask for an entry donation at the door.
Be sure to have fun along the way and don’t get discouraged! Progress is progress, no matter how slow, and every donation adds up over time. A dollar may be only a dollar, but if 100 people give a dollar, then a difference is being made. Every drop in the bucket counts.
Fundraise for a Service Dog: Food
Bake Sale
Restaurant Event (Restaurant donates portion of proceeds on specific date)
Spaghetti Dinner
Chili Cook-Off
Ice Cream Social
International Food Festival
Pancake Breakfast
Cheese/Wine Night
Pizza Party
Fundraise for a Service Dog: Activities
Silent Auction
Garage Sale
Car Wash
Walk-a-Thon
Rake Leaves
Karaoke Night
Talent Contest
Bowling Event
Car Detailing
Dog Walking
Dog/Cat Sitting
Dog Wash
Music Festival
Battle of the Bands
Raffles
Treasure Hunt
Parent’s Night Out
Speak at Churches/Schools
Fundraising Walk
Poetry Reading
Recycle Drive
Wheelchair/Crutch Racing
Movie Night (Sell cookies and milk)
Face Painting
Youth Lock-In
Skating Party
Zumba Night
Scapbook Social
Carnival
Dunk Tank
Trivia Night
Fundraise for a Service Dog: Collections
Cans at Grocery Store
Cans at Gas Station
Cans at Movie Theater
Cans at LocalRestaurants
Weekly Collection at Church
Monthly Donations
Fundraise For a Service Dog: Tournaments
Card Tournament
Golf Tournament
Board Game Tournament
Basketball Tournament
Pool Tournament
Horseshoe Tournament
Football Tournament
Softball Tournament
Foursquare Tournament
Kickball Tournament
Dodgeball Tournament
Soccer Tournament
Human Chess Tournament
Fundraise For a Service Dog: Events
Carol Sing
Easter Egg Hunt
Bonfire Night Party (Sell s’mores, hot chocolate, cider)
Valentine’s Day Party
Holiday Bash
Fireworks
Superbowl Party
St. Patty’s Day Party
Fall Rake-a-Thon
Shovel Snow
Haunted House
Corn Maze
Fundraise For a Service Dog: Online
Blogging
YouTube
Tumblr
Fundraise For a Service Dog: Sales
Sell Artwork
Sell T-Shirts
Sell Candles
Sell Chocolate
Sell Flowers
Sell Calendars
Sell Soap
Sell Donuts
Sell Cookbooks
christina moreland December 2, 2014
This is awesome ! Thank you!
Valarie thomas May 4, 2015
These are great ideas but I am disabled and can’t even get out of my bed its that bad however if anyone would like to help me with my service dog fund raising please visit my site and thank you in advance
gofundme.com/Valarie thomas
Greg Holly April 26, 2017
I really appreciate the insight here in this post and wanted to say thank you for your great post.
Shirley Overbey September 23, 2017
The truth is that middle class Americans have had to much faith in a failed system. Many have worked for years and when they become disabled, their income is too low to purchase a service dog and be reimbursed (as they should) on taxes. In fact, unless you earn $200,000 you can’t deduct the dog as a medical expense (since most dogs and training add up to approx. $20,ooo).
Insurance should also cover the cost of purchase if a doctor has recommended one for someone. Being disabled, you go through hell to get SSDI–your money that has been taken from your check for years—and then to be forced to raise funds through gimmicks and/or beg from organizations, is beyond our physical abilities and demeaning as well. Shame on government greed that fails to help those who have contributed a lifetime of work while money is wasted and/or given to those who have contributed nothing. Americans deserve better.
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