Fundraising Ideas That Work!

Contributed to CMN from credit unions, chapters and Leagues throughout the USA.

Kids Classic Golf Tournament:

Have items donated or pledged for so all funds contributed go to the local children’s hospital.

Good, Better, Best Promotion:

Run a loan promotion in which members can buy down the rate on a new vehicle loan by donating to CMN. For $25, the rate was dropped ½%. For $50, the rate was dropped 1%. This resulted in raising $6,000 for CMN in a two-month period and an increase in loan volume at the credit union.

Kids Helping Kids:

Partnered with an elementary school to aid the children at the local CMN hospital, the credit union sold handmade ornaments to its members for $1 each. The ornaments were made by the schoolchildren, and the proceeds went directly to the local children’s hospital.

Clarke American Credit Unions for Kids Checks:

Check it out – even if your credit union doesn’t have a contract with Clarke American - you can still offer these wonderful checks to your members. Simply contact Clarke American at (800) 382-0818.

Free/Discounted Services:

If your credit union charges for some services (checking, loans), offer to waive the fee for a certain period of time and contribute the fee in the member’s name. Example: Run a promotion where the credit union waives a $5 membership fee and promote it in such a manner to tie into Children’s Miracle Network and Credit Unions for Kids.

Cuss Box:

A credit union “charges” its members and employees a quarter every time someone uses the word “bank” in its lobby. This credit union has won the Credit Union National Association’s national Dora Maxwell Award for social responsibility for their Credit Unions for Kids efforts.

Other Ways to involve the membership, volunteers and staff:

  • Annual Meeting[conduct a fun fundraising activity]
  • Auctions/silent auctions
  • Bake Sale
  • Bingo
  • Bowl-a-Thon
  • Casual Days [employees pay to wear jeans]
  • Cook-Off [Chili or BBQ or just desserts]
  • Crafts Sale
  • Cross-Promote Membership Contest For Employees
  • Discounted Coupon Book [or amusement park tickets]
  • Hot Dog Sale in CU Parking Lot [relates to ICUD, CU anniversary, marketing promotion or summer-time]
  • Jail & Bail [during their “time,” managers, staff or board members call people they know to collect donations for their bail]
  • Logo Merchandise Sales
  • Miracle Balloon Campaign
  • Newsletter [feature a true-life story of an employee, volunteer or member who has been treated at your local CMN affiliated hospital. Create a donation coupon for member use. Have a CMN canister at the teller station.]
  • Photo Shoot with Santa [free-will donation]
  • Talent Show [at the Annual Meeting]

For CMN Merchandise, visit the Miracle Mall Online Store at http://miraclemall.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/.