A little over two months ago, my 15-year old niece was killed in a high-speed car accident to no fault of her own, as the passenger. I say this because it immediately eliminates that curiosity so that you, or anyone for that matter, doesn't have to focus on the cause of death but rather the person.
In the wake of a loss, many people find solace in honoring their loved ones through acts of kindness and fundraising. Whether you're supporting a memorial, a cause that mattered to your departed loved one, or simply in need of financial assistance during this difficult time, there are numerous ways to raise money and make a meaningful impact.
Since her passing, my sister was showered with generosity by friends, coworkers, community members, school contacts, and sports family. Since then, we continue to raise funds in the name of her future non-profit organization that will keep raising memorial funds for low-income softball players in the name of her daughter.
So, I wanted to share 25 ways to raise funds in the aftermath of a death, from online platforms to community events.
Online Fundraising Platforms:
GoFundMe: Create a fundraising page to share your story and collect donations. We did this and raised tens of thousands of dollars.
Kickstarter: Fund a creative project or cause that mattered to your loved one and get people around the world to help in getting it started.
Indiegogo: Maybe your loved one loved tech and, if so, this is the place to go in their name.
MealTrain: This allows people to donate grocery cards, money, or meals from restaurants to be delivered directly to the surviving family's home. This fed my sister and her other four children for the greater part of two months.
Social Media Campaigns:
Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to reach a wider audience. We opted to share the GoFundMe pages here as well.
Share stories and memories to inspire contributions.
Host a Memorial Auction:
Gather items for an online or in-person auction. This is the plan for a planned softball tournament, where we sell tickets to donated items and raffle them off.
Encourage family and friends to bid generously.
Create a Memorial Cookbook:
Compile cherished family recipes into a cookbook. This will be great if your loved one had a small recipe box. You can make them on Shutterfly, buy them on Etsy, or make your own.
Sell copies to raise funds.
Organize a Charity Walk or Run:
Invite friends and community members to participate.
Charge an entry fee or seek sponsors. This is our plan for the softball tournament fundraising event as well.
Gala or Benefit Dinner:
Plan a formal event with tickets sold for entry. You could do a silent auction here too, or find a donor restaurant to cater, so guests pay for entry.
Include live music and guest speakers.
Yard Sale or Garage Sale:
Collect items to sell, and promote through community channels. This does not have to be your loved ones' belongings, but a mass garage sale in a large enough driveway can really get neighbors involved in the support as well.
The funds can be donated to a charitable cause in memory of your loved one or can be used to start a memorial fund for future giveaways.
Crowdfunding on Social Platforms:
Utilize platforms like Facebook Fundraisers. This can be day from the day your loved one passes and can be done annually as well.
Share your story to garner support, as well as other efforts that have been done since they passed to show what their donations will be going toward.
Online Memorial Merchandise:
Create and sell memorial items like t-shirts, bracelets, or custom-made crafts.
Write a Book or E-book:
Share your story or your loved one's story in a book. Grief can connect many people, and every story is different, so if you have any creative juice to write a book, there are many platforms to help write a book. I use ChatGPT to get creative juices flowing sometimes and then add my personal touches and expand on it from there.
Amazon KDP has a great and easy self-publishing platform and then you donate the proceeds or place them in a memorial fund.
Host a Benefit Concert:
After my niece died, we had a few local artists willing to play for free at various events. Engage with your local artists and musicians.
Charge an entrance fee and sell merchandise.
Create a Tribute Video:
Make a touching video honoring your loved one's memory.
Share it on social media and ask for donations.
You can also take the experience of building a memorial video and offer to support other grieving families in how to create their own, by paying it forward and offering your video-making services.
Online Art Auction:
Auction off artwork created in memory of your loved one. You may not know you are artistic until you put medium to paper and start.
Use art platforms like Etsy or eBay.
Community Fundraising Dinner:
Ask local restaurants to participate.
A portion of each meals' cost goes to the cause.
Memorial Calendar:
Create a calendar with photos and stories.
Sell it to friends, family, and supporters. You can do this before each year begins as a continuous donation stream.
Host a Charity Golf Tournament:
Gather golf enthusiasts for a day of fun. This is similar to hosting a charity walk except you are speaking to a different demographic.
Charge entry fees and seek sponsors, such as beer carts, bands, and donors for prize winners.
Online T-shirt Campaign:
Design custom t-shirts in memory of your loved one.
Sell them through platforms like Teespring.
Memorial Quilting Project:
You may not know how to quilt, but a legions group might. Or a local quilting group may offer to donate one. Have someone craft a memorial quilt and sell raffle tickets.
Use the proceeds for your cause.
Car Wash Fundraiser:
Organize a car wash event in your community. This can work great with high schoolers or other small children's organizations, like Girl Scouts or Cub Scouts.
Accept donations for each wash.
Candlelight Vigil Fundraiser:
Arrange a memorial event with candle sales. You'd be surprised by how many local community members have candle making hobbies.
Invite the community to participate.
Community Art Show:
Pick a theme for the art show, such as grief or hope, and showcase local artists and their work.
Sell the artwork and donate a percentage.
Sponsor a Sports Tournament:
See a theme here? People like to get out and move! And people playing sports come with lots of other people to watch and support! Host a soccer, basketball, or other sports tournament.
Charge team entry fees and sell concessions.
Plant a Memorial Garden:
Create a serene garden space in memory of your loved one.
Ask for donations for plants and maintenance.
Donate to a Relevant Charity:
Support a charity or cause related to your loved one's interests. We donated to the city's Parks and Recreation Memorial Bench to beautify the city with a bench in her name.
Encourage others to donate as well.
Encourage Acts of Kindness:
Spread kindness in your community in memory of your loved one.
Ask for voluntary donations to support your cause.
Losing a loved one is an unimaginable hardship, but there are many ways to keep their memory alive and make a positive impact in their honor. By choosing any of these 25 fundraising ideas, you can not only raise money but also create a lasting legacy for your loved one and bring comfort to those affected by the loss. Whether it's through online platforms, creative projects, or community events, your efforts can make a significant difference during a difficult time.
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