For those with a philanthropic spirit who want to help others in need, you might be wondering, “What’s the best way to help nonprofits?” Individual monetary donations are always greatly appreciated, but if you’re looking for some interesting ways to get others involved when raising money for nonprofits, Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) is currently holding our new Choose Your Challenge fundraising event, now through the end of June 2025.
How does it work? First, choose an activity (challenge) that fits your interests, then set up your fundraiser on our One Cause page where you can register your event and track your progress.
Second, once registered, share your challenge with your friends, neighbors, family, co-workers, business associates, social organizations, and others to invite them to take part.
Third, when you hold your challenge, be sure to take plenty of photos, then share them with us along with a recap of your successful event.
Every dollar you raise will help NVFS provide essential services like emergency shelter, food assistance, early childhood education, and affordable medical and dental care to individuals and families in need.
Picking A Fundraising Idea
So, what kind of challenge are you interested in? You can start by thinking about what you and the people you associate with enjoy doing.
Are you a fan of cornhole, darts, backgammon, or poker? Host a tournament where individuals or teams donate a set amount of money to play. You can provide prizes, print certificates, or give back a portion of the money raised at the end, or people can just play for bragging rights.
Thinking of something more culinary? Hold a bake sale and ask your friends to contribute their favorite goods, then sell those delicious treats and donate the money collected. Or you could have a chili cook off, where several people volunteer to bring their best chili (which they donate), then you invite people to buy tickets to sample the different recipes. You can even add a panel of judges to declare which is the “best,” and include a “People’s Choice” award where people who sample can vote for their favorites.
Feeling like you’d rather do something more on an individual level? Participate in something like a 5K run/walk and ask people or business to sponsor you, letting them know that you’re running/walking for NVFS.
Do you have a birthday, anniversary, or some other milestone celebration coming up? You can ask people to donate to your Choose Your Challenge campaign in lieu of sending gifts. You can also ask for donations in honor or in memory of someone. For additional information and more challenge ideas, take a look at our Choose Your Challenge Fundraising Ideas page.
How This Helps
The idea is to let your imagination run wild and have fun. If you need some additional thought starters, we’ll list a few ideas below. But first, let us tell you what the money you’ll be raising can do, so people who are donating can get a better understanding of what you are trying to accomplish.
As an example, a donation of:
- $25 provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner for five SERVE family shelter guests for one day.
- $50 supplies a portable crib for one newborn, ensuring the baby has a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
- $100 funds health screenings for 50 children, helping to identify health concerns early and ensuring they receive the care they need to thrive.
- $250 covers six months of health insurance for one child, ensuring they receive essential medical care and regular check-ups to maintain their well-being.
- $500 provides five nights of emergency shelter, offering a safe and secure place to stay for individuals or families in urgent need.
- $1,000 keeps a family in their home for one month during a crisis, helping them avoid homelessness and regain stability.
If you don’t have the time to sponsor a fundraising event but still want to help, donations are always appreciated and can be made electronically through the Choose Your Challenge page.
At the heart of this campaign, NVFS is looking to continue to provide stabilizing support to families in crisis, including offering food assistance, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and healthcare access to those in need.
Get Inspired
Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge back in 2014 that helped to raise $100 million for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease)? Perhaps you could think of a variation of that where you create a challenge, perform it on video, then challenge five other people to also video themselves doing the same challenge or contribute money to your Choose Your Challenge fundraiser if they decide not to participate in the activity. The important part is, even if they donate money, they still need to challenge five other people, so the challenge continues to spread.
Choose Your Challenge
The idea behind this new event from NVFS is that it provides flexibility on how you prefer to get involved. It also helps to garner a sense of community spirit that you can keep within your own circle or open up to the general public.
Just know that every dollar you raise continues our shared mission of helping families with food security, safe housing, and essential support. You can have fun, connect with others, and help people at the same time. Get your campaign started today!
Interested in providing more support after Choose Your Challenge ends? We’re always looking for volunteers to serve in a number of different capacities. To find out more, email us at volunteer@nvfs.org.