By Liesa Evans, Freelance MEOW Contributer Organizations, corporations, schools, community groups or individuals are welcome to hold their own fundraising events to benefit MEOW Foundation. This type of sponsorship is called third party fundraising. Third party fundraising does more than benefit the non-profit organization. Working together on charitable events brings a community closer. It can bind neighbours together to reach a common goal. It can be a source of team-building activity between coworkers. And it can teach the spirit of giving to your children and their classmates. While giving to us, you will also be giving to each other. MEOW thanks all individuals who wish to support us through third party fundraising. Read below for ten fundraising ideas you can use in your community.

M&M Meats BBQ Fundraiser. 'Guardian Angel Tours' for Kids.

Idea 1: Bowl-A-Thon
Much like a walk-a-thon, volunteers commit to participating in the event by collecting pledges based on their final bowling score. They can also collect flat rate donations based solely on their participation. Many local bowling alleys have fundraiser packages available. Contact one to book your event well ahead of time.

Idea 2: Book Sale
The book sale is popular because of its low overhead. The books are donated; all you need is a location to hold your sale and volunteers to run it. Solicit book donations from friends, family, neighbours and co-workers a few months ahead of time. To secure a location contact your local community centre or employer for donated space. If the season is appropriate, consider holding it in a parking lot, yard or garage. Advertise your sale well, and you will be surprised at what you can raise.

Idea 3: Community Yard/Garage Sale
Organizing a charity yard sale is a great way to get to know your community while giving back to it. You and your like-minded neighbours can band together through fundraising while getting rid of the unwanted junk piling up in your basement.

Idea 4: Online Auction
Equipment upgrades provide the perfect charitable opportunity for your company or organization. Instead of throwing away old office computers and equipment, consider auctioning them for MEOW instead.
Your company can sell their unwanted equipment to the public through eBay or hold a private auction through the company intranet. Another option is an old fashioned silent auction with bids submitted through e-mail. Either way, it’s a great way to raise funds, recycle equipment and support MEOW.

Idea 5: Coin Challenge
Rolling up pennies and taking them to the bank is a time-consuming chore most of us avoid. The result is usually an overflowing penny jar at home. Using the competitive spirit of your coworkers you can tap into this forgotten couch-cushion currency.
Break your participants up into teams and give them a one-week period to bring in their loose change donations from home. Give a prize to the team who donates the most.

Idea 6: Jeans Day for Charity
Everyone loves casual Friday, but have you considered a casual Monday? Charge employees $1 for the right to wear jeans to work on Mondays, and donate the proceeds to MEOW. Raise funds while raising employee spirits.

Idea 7: Bottle Drive
An old fashioned bottle drive is a great event to get parents and kids working together. One month before your bottle drive, advertise your intent within the community. This will give everyone time to save their bottles up for you. On the day of the event, have your children (with adult supervision) go door to door to collect.

Idea 8: Gift Donations
Celebrate your birthday, wedding or anniversary this year by asking your guests to make a MEOW donation instead of a traditional gift. It’s a pawsitively perfect way to raise funds for your furry friends!

MEOW Foundation does 'Guardian Angel Tours' for people who raise funds for MEOW. This program is mainly set up for children who collect donations through their birthday parties and other events in support of MEOW Foundation. The children are invited to our private shelter to drop of their donation, plus they get a tour of the shelter and meet the many cats who benefit from their donation.

For 'Guardian Angel Tours' please call MEOW at 403.230.6033 and leave a message on Line 8.

Idea 9: Hostess Lunches, Suppers, BBQ’s or Cocktail Parties
When you host your next get together, ask your invited guests to make a donation to MEOW upon their arrival instead of bringing a hostess gift.

Idea 10: Craft Sale
If you and your friends love to make crafts, organize a booth at a community craft fair, sell your homemade crafts and donate the money to MEOW.

Idea 11: Donate Your Tips
Do you work in a service industry such as restaurant, massage or esthetician? Consider donating a percentage of the gratuities or tips you receive each month.

If you have any questions about third party fundraising, please email info@meowfoundation.com
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your efforts on behalf of MEOW Foundation. Your endeavours and hard work will help ensure a bright future for our no-kill mission and the lives of thousands of cats.