Book ‘Em! 8 Charity Fundraisers that also Promote Reading

Fundraisers come in all sizes and shapes, but the best events combine two good causes in one.  That’s why fundraisers that promote literacy, while also raising awareness about your cause, are surefire winners.  Here are eight great ways to tap into people’s love of reading, writing and collecting to promote any cause:

1. Book Sale  The idea is simple: ask people to donate used (or new) books and then sell ’em. 4-6 weeks before your event, set up drop-off bins at shopping centers, churches, synagogues, schools or other community meeting places, with signage identifying your organization and event. Organize the books by category: Children’s, History, Self-help, Cooking, etc.  Publicize with posters, social media and press releases. Set up your Book Sale tables as a standalone event, or part of a community or national holiday.
2. Read-a-Thon   This is an ideal class event for young kids, with each child sponsored for each book they read in a month or semester.  Alternatively, you can stage a one-night Read-a-Thon contest where children of any age read as many pages as possible in an hour, with each child sponsored per page. Preparation involves simply printing sponsor forms and arranging a place and time, as well as a date when sponsor money is to be collected and handed in.
3. Young Author Open Mic Night A performance evening where young writers get to share their stories. Time limit: 5 minutes. For extra star power, bring in a panel of local writers, journalists, and/or publishers to comment and encourage the young authors.
4. Handcrafted Bookmarks  Kids draw their own book-inspired images and then get them laminated at Fed Ex/Kinko’s or other copy shop. For older kids or adults of any age, woven bookmarks can be an artful project which can then be sold at crafts fairs, flea markets or holiday picnics.  To spark your imagination, check out Children’s homemade bookmarks on Pinterest.
5. Literary Trivia Night  Unleash your inner book nerd with a competition on literary trivia. Teams compete to answer the most obscure references relating to their favorite authors.  Theme each round for a different genre or author: Mysteries, Romances, Harry Potter, Conan Doyle, Sci-fi. For an extra special evening, invite contestants to dress as their favorite literary characters.
6. Book Drive  So far, all of these ideas have been ways to use books to raise money for your cause.  But what if your cause is books?  Then your event is likely to be a Book Drive, organized just like a Book Sale, only the books you collect are donated directly to libraries, schools, youth or senior centers.
7. Book Swap What do you get when you cross a flea market and a reading room?  A Book Swap.  People come together to donate books they’ve already read and comb through collections of other people’s used books for hidden treasures.  For more hints, check out https://bookgivingday.com/2015/02/10/how-to-guide-run-a-successful-book-swap/ .
8. Beers for Books  Created by RoomToRead.org, an international organization to promote literacy in low-income countries, Beers for Books is a fun social gathering in honor of International Book Giving Day.  Co-sponsor your event with a sympathetic bar or restaurant willing to donate one dollar for every beer sold.  Combine with a poetry reading, trivia night, or literature-themed darts competition (toss them at pictures of your favorite literary villains, or your least-favorite authors).

Most important of all: have FUN, and make it fun for your customers.  Help people feel good about giving!