This is a simple (we’re talking really simple) fundraiser that will bring the community together.

Recruit a number of your supporters to bake impressive cakes that will be put up for auction.  During fall, you can auction carved pumpkins instead of cakes.  During winter, you can auction gingerbread houses instead of cakes.  Whichever way, make sure they are exciting and very visually pleasing (other baked goods that taste good but don’t look good won’t command high bids, as bidders won’t be able to taste items ahead of time).  Once the cakes/pumpkins/gingerbread houses are ready, gather your supporters and other members of the community (put an advertisement in the local newspaper or get some free press) and make a night out of the event.  Use an authoritative event title like “The Richardson Charity’s First Annual Cake Auction.”  When people show up, wallets in hand, let the bidding begin.  For added flare, see if you can get a professional auctioneer to emcee the event for free.

We think you’ll see the best success if you use this fundraising idea to raise money for a group that has regular meetings.  That way, people will not only bid based on how they value the individual items, but they will also bid to support people with whom they already have relationships.  This, of course, means higher bids and more fundraising revenue.

For cake auction ideas and to see how one community raised a lot of money for a school with a cake auction, see below: