The goal of any college fundraiser should be to maximize both fun and profitability for your group. Because there are many stakeholders associated with any college fundraising event, when choosing among the many possible college fundraising ideas, simplicity is often the key to success; your group can achieve outstanding results with even the easiest, most basic ideas.  Here are the top 10 simple college fundraising ideas that, if executed correctly, will draw a crowd and bring in meaningful revenue:

1. Car washes. One of the most popular college fundraising ideas is also one of the most effective. Car washes can be a great way to raise money for your cause and allow your group to carry out its desired activities.
2. Coffee breaks. Gourmet coffee is a welcomed addition to most campus activities. By setting up a stand with a variety of flavored and exotic coffees along with a selection of pastries and other baked goods, your organization can achieve significant returns on a minimal initial investment.
3. Bachelor and bachelorette auctions. Especially for fraternities and sororities, auctioning off dates with eligible bachelors and bachelorettes can sometimes provide a low-cost, fun way to raise funds. Make sure to get the campus newspaper involved in order to generate buzz ahead of time.
4. Battle of the bands. By sponsoring a music competition and offering a small cash prize to the winning band, your organization can raise a sizable amount of money for your activities. Depending on the size of your campus, you may even be able to charge a small entry fee for the competing bands to boost your fundraising results beyond just ticket sales.
5. Rummage sales. One of the best college fundraising ideas is the tried and true rummage sale. By getting rid of unwanted and outdated items, you can clear out space (great for fraternity houses) while raising money for planned activities and goals.
6. Food fairs. By enlisting the help of friends and family, your organization can offer a little taste of world cuisine and raise funds at the same time. Your food fair can focus on one specific region or incorporate foods from all over the world, depending on the talents of the chefs available.
7. Scavenger hunts. While holding a successful scavenger hunt requires a good deal of preparation, these innovative fundraising events can often produce significant funds for your group. Typically, participants in scavenger hunts must make a small donation and are eligible for a prize (and campus-wide glory) if they finish first in the competition.
8. Christmas caroling. Musically talented groups can raise funds while sharing a little of the holiday spirit by caroling in local neighborhoods and soliciting donations in return for their gift of song. Practice makes perfect, so be sure to have a few rehearsals before performing live.
9. Haunted hayrides. For the cost of renting a wagon and with a little makeup and acting ability, you can provide haunted hayrides for local children or even other college students. This can add up to significant donations (or ticket sales) for your worthy cause.
10. Tailgate parties. Your college’s home football games present the perfect opportunity to host tailgate parties. By serving up barbecue or other gridiron staples to hungry guests, your group can often attract large donations with a small initial investment.

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