Because I volunteer at my children’s school and our local house of worship, I was particularly impressed with the website www.20dollarfundraising.com. The website was designed by non-profit consultant Ken Goldstein to answer the question, “What could you do to bring in money to your grassroots organization or community if all you had to spend on your fundraiser was $20?”

This simple, easy to navigate website was inspired by Reverend Michael Eden of the Church of St. Peter & St. Mary in Stowmarket, England. Rev. Eden received a £900 donation and distributed £10 notes to ninety parishioners, telling them to increase the amount within six months. Rev. Eden told the BBC, “I challenged the congregation to use their God-given talents and they responded accordingly.”

Although the website was religiously inspired, the concepts are applicable to fund raising campaigns for every organization, ranging from schools to community groups to political campaigns. Practical suggestions offered on the 20dollarfundraising.com website include buying ingredients for a bake sale, doing ironing for community members and holding a car wash.

If you have ideas of your own, the website welcomes you to submit them on a special form and will give you credit for the idea when Ken Goldstein writes a book of simple, cost-effective fundraising concepts. Goldstein also offers a book for sale on the website, Introduction to Fund Development Planning, which is available in paperback and ebook formats as well as a link to his blog with additional useful information. For great fundraising ideas that are cheap to implement, check out www.20dollarfundraising.com.

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