We wanted to find out some great ideas for February, so we checked out this website: https://www.funraise.org/blog/40-winter-fundraising-ideas-for-your-nonprofit (all content below is from this site).
There may not be time to implement many of these ideas short-term, but think about them for 2024! Nothing better than planning ahead!
February Ideas for Fundraising and other Events
In most places, February is the end of winter and the beginning of a vibrant fundraising season. Dig into these fabulous February fundraising ideas and other fun event ideas!
Black History Month (the whole month of February)
There are many ways that your nonprofit can honor the accomplishments, struggles, and victories of generations of Black Americans (ahem, and you can do these all year long, not just during February.) You could commission a community member to give a city-wide tour of local monuments and historical sites to learn about Black heritage. Some other February fundraiser ideas include directing community members to local Black-owned businesses, online exhibitions featuring Black artists, and/or educational resources. And don’t forget to encourage folks to support your fellow nonprofits that are working to promote Black culture and education and community development.
National Freedom Day (February 1)
Although it was not ratified by the states until later, President Lincoln signed the amendment abolishing slavery in the United States on February 1, 1865. Many communities hold celebratory festivals in recognition of this freedom.
Lunar New Year (varies each year)
Most people who celebrate Lunar New Year will tell you that aside from the colorful, dynamic festivities, the best part of the holiday is the food. Lunar New Year, a sacred traditional holiday in China, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Mongolia, and more countries and cultures around the world, is the perfect moment to patronize local restaurants, catering companies, and food vendors with a progressive dinner. Map out an evening of eating and learning and sell tickets that include transportation or guides in addition to the food and drink. Don't forget to compensate contributors for their sharing their cultural knowledge.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11)
Science Fair time! Give the women and girls in your community a chance to show off their STEM skillz with an old-fashioned science fair. Either open the categories to anything and everything they can dream up or narrow the field to something specific that relates to your mission.
For a February fundraising idea, get a corporate sponsor or major donor to provide prizes, ask for donations at the door, sell raffle tickets and snacks, and repurpose the content for your social and web platforms.
Super Bowl (February 12, 2023, varies each year)
Kick off the Super Bowl on the right foot by hosting a fundraiser. Whether it’s a fantasy football league, a bowling tournament, or a soup-er bowl dinner (that’s a fundraising dinner during which you serve soup, if you didn’t know), Super Bowl Sunday offers endless fundraising opportunities. Oooh, or what about a nacho-eating contest? So many possibilities!
Galentine’s Day (February 13)
Any Parks and Recreation fans out there? We see you. On this day, celebrate the power of female friendships by asking supporters to make a donation in honor of their loveliest lady friends. Then, share your favorite waffle recipe. (P.S. if you haven’t watched Parks and Rec, we’ll wait here while you catch up.)
National (Organ) Donor Day (February 14)
See what we did there? National Donor Day? Seems like a holiday custom-made for stewardship. But hey, if you're dead-set on a fundraising campaign for Valentine's Day, ask your supporters to make a donation in their Valentine’s name instead of buying another box of chocolates or bouquet of long-stemmed roses. To make your fundraising efforts stand out, you could then send physical V-Day cards to all the honorees.
Valentine’s Day (February 14)
Singing Valentine’s, chocolate and/or flower deliveries, or a romantic get-a-way as part of a silent auction…. so many possibilities!
Parinirvana Day (February 15)
Nirvana Day is observed by Buddhists as the day that the historical Buddha achieved his complete Nirvana. Meditation, retreats, and community contemplation and support are all ways that this day is recognized.
Random Acts of Kindness Day (February 17)
[This is our favorite!!!]
Send a fundraising email with a list of random acts of kindness, from paying for a stranger’s coffee to giving up your seat on the bus. The number one item on your list? Making a donation, of course.
World Day of Social Justice (February 20)
We're going to go out on a limb here to suggest you take World Day of Social Justice to your social platforms! Post on your social accounts and ask your supporters to do the same, with a specific invitation to create a social justice social fundraiser they can share far and wide.
World NGO Day (February 27)
Conveniently coinciding with No Brainer Day, World NGO Day gives you the perfect opening to offer donors a "no-brainer" solution to the problems your nonprofit is working to fix: Just hit that Donate button! Looking for something a bit more exciting? Hold a biNGO tournament where the emphasis is on the N-G-O—your donors and your NGO will both be winners.
(I love this bingo idea!)
Remember to get a small games of chance license if you raise funds playing bingo: https://www.revenue.pa.gov/TaxTypes/SGOC/Pages/default.aspx