Raising money for a nonprofit organization?

Question

I'm part of a computer group organization thing, and I'm starting to come into a leadership position, but I'm not sure how to improve it, we are a nonprofit organization, that is run through spokane public schools, and is based mainly of high school students and as of recently middle schools students. our groups main thing is giving back to the community, we refurbish old computers and distribute them to people who can not afford them. we have an end of the year trip celebration every year, and this year we are hoping to go over to google in the seattle area, but cant afford it at the moment, what are good legal ways to raise money for a nonprofit organization?

Answer 1

You get sponsors from other companies. If they like what your doing and they see it does good for the people around you guys then they will sponsor you.

Answer 2

Before you do a raffle, call your state's attorney's general office and make sure such are legal. Many nonprofits do raffles for years before they find out that, in fact, they are gambling and, therefore, require a gambling license.

If you were raising money to pay for equipment to refurbish computers, or to transport them to the people and organizations who need them, I would have lots of fund raising ideas. But you need money for a party, and most donors are reluctant to fund a party.

Create a budget that shows exactly how much money, per person, it would cost for each member of your club to go to Seattle. You can then either leave it up to each member to raise the necessary amount he or she needs to go (from family and friends, or from his or her own pocket), or, you can engage in revenue-generating activities like car washes, yard cleanup, dog walking, pet sitting, etc., with all of the money raised going towards your trip. Or do both.  

Answer 3

My mother works at a non profit organization & we do raffle tickets yearly. You could donate a computer to the raffle winner or go around to business (Wal-Mart, Starbucks, etc.) asking them for small donations to give away as prizes. Don't forget to put "Non-Profit Orginazation" on the raffle tickets themselves.

Hope this helps  =)