Top 8 Green Fundraising Ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Purple is the ribbon color for this cause. That doesn't mean you can't go green with these Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The need is great. Stats are telling us that 1:4 women and 1:9 men will be a victim of domestic violence. If even 1 person is a victim then the number is too high.

With these tips, you will help victims of domestic violence and promote sustainability at the same time. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. Another plus is that you will be raising money without draining your pocket.

None of these green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month will put an agency on a funding easy street. Rather, these are solid ways that will make a difference. Every little bit counts. Some of these ideas can really add up!

Are you ready? This list will help you get started.

#1 Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Aluminum cans
Line a large cardboard box with a trash bag at work. Place it near the vending machine where people are likely to see it. Post a message on the office bulletin board to remind everyone to donate their used aluminum cans (and to rinse them out first). Take them to the recycler at the end of the month and donate the cash.

#2 Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Scrap metal
Host a scrap metal drive at your church or place of employment. Send out emails, call friends and post signs or post signs at work.

Line up several people with pick-up trucks who are willing to drive. Have everyone bring their scrap on the same day and load the trucks. Take it to the recycler and donate the funds.

You might be surprised at the scrap metal that people have lying around. That rusted out grill from summer or broken curling iron are likely candidates for the scrap heap. Other items might include old shovel heads, candle holders and non-working irons. Microwave ovens are usually not accepted. You will need to remove the cords from any electrical appliances.

#3 Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Paper drive
Talk with your church or a local business. Ask for permission to have a paper dumpster placed on their parking lot for the month of October. Publicize it ahead of time so people in the community will know where to bring their paper items. When the dumpster is full call to have it picked up or prearrange for a pick-up date. Have the check sent directly to your local domestic violence agency.

#4 Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Used cell phones
Domestic violence programs almost always look for used cell phones. A few will be kept at the agency to be given to victims. The others will be recycled or you can send them to a recycler yourself.

Reuse a small box for the collection. When the box is full or the minimum number of items has been met just tape it up and call for a pick-up. Often, postage is paid by the recycling company. This makes it even easier to collect used cell phones.

#5 Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Broken gold jewelry
Find a recycler that accepts broken gold jewelry items in your area. Ask everyone at church or work to donate. Many of us have a broken necklace or that odd gold earring in our jewelry box. (Where did the other earring go anyway?) This is where small amounts can add up.

# 6 Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Bulk clothing drive
Call your local agency to and ask if they sell bulk clothing to a recycler. If so, bags of clothing can be put directly onto a truck and shipped out. They'll go to a sorting facility and sent to 3rd world countries or turned into rags. Either way, the domestic violence agency will get a check.

#7 Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Host a yard sale
It goes without saying that any item you can resell will stay out of a landfill. Ask a business for use of their parking lot for one day. The more families you get involved the more money you will make.

If it's a big sale you can ask the agency to come out and sell canned drinks. Recycle the aluminum cans and any scrap metal items. After the sale, donate the funds and any leftover items.

#8Green fundraising ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Green cleaning products
Host a green cleaning products collection. Buying cleaning products can eat away at an agency's budget. Offices and shelters have to be cleaned. Cleaning products are also needed when victims set up housekeeping again.

Technically, you aren't raising money for the organization. Your efforts are reversing agency expenses. Anything that doesn't have to be purchased by the agency helps stretch the budget and provides services to victims.

Source:
Personal experience