Beyond Polar Plunging - Top 10 Ways to Raise Money for Charity

Here at Chicago Polar Bear Club we know a thing or two about holding a charity event, so we wanted to share with you our top 10 ways to raise money for charity! Not all charity events have to be as cold or exciting as our polar plunge (but nothing wakes you up quicker than a dip in Lake Michigan!)

1.       Do something crazy – The most fun way to raise money for a good cause is to do something crazy. What crazier thing could you do than doing a polar plunge in Lake Michigan in January? Personally, we would say it doesn’t get much more crazy than that. Want to join us for our Chicago Polar Plunge us in 2022? Register here.

2.       Hold an Auction – Hit up friends, family and local businesses and get them to pledge anything they can to be auctioned to raise those much needed funds for your chosen charity.

3.       Hold a Quidditch Tournament – Polar Plunge in Lake Michigan not your thing? Here is another crazy idea… Believe it or not, some clever Muggles have found a way to make Quidditch a real-life sport. It’s as fun to watch as it is to play, so makes for one of the most unique fundraising ideas. Set up a charity match and let everyone live out their teenage wizard dreams in exchange for a donation. It won’t be quite as fun to watch as a polar plunge, but it will be warmer!

4.       Host a Swap Shop – Have people donate to attend and bring their unwanted items to swap for new swag. Bonus – Anything that isn’t claimed you can sell at your auction!

5.       Arrange a Life Drawing Class – Find yourself a willing model and arrange a charity Life Drawing Class, which can be done in person or even virtually! This one is bound to spark some interesting conversation…

6.       Set up a Wishing Tree - Sending wishes out into the universe can feel very empowering. Set up a space for people to post their anonymous messages in the local park. It doesn’t need to be a tree – an old piece of fence will do. Charge a small fee to add a message to the wall. Once complete, it will look great on social media

7.       Host A street Party! - Sometimes, the best fundraising ideas are the simplest ones. Apply to the council for a special license to close down the street. Host a potluck dinner and get to know your neighbours. If mingling isn’t on the cards, restrict it to doorstep drinks with a donation.

8.       Create your own Scavenger Hunt - Create a scavenger hunt based on the little things that might be seen on a neighbourhood stroll; a brown dog, a jogger, a post box etc. People can enter by sending photos of each item by email or social media sites like Instagram. The first person to find them all wins!

9.       Arrange a Mini Golf Tournament - Hold a mini golf tournament with all the seriousness of the Masters! Find a patch of land, or park and create your own course, or ask a local mini golf course to donate their space. Have people donate to take part - or even take bets on the winner!

 10.   Run, Run, Run! – Ok, so its not the most inventive way to raise money for charity but sometimes the old ways are the best. Sign up for a Marathon, half marathon, 5k, fun run or night walk - whatever you can do and get your trainers on!

Numbers 2-10 might be good ideas, but number 1 is THE best way to raise money for charity.  Plus Chicago Polar Bear Club gives every penny donated to our nominated families, so you know that every dollar raised by joining our polar bear plunge end up where it should be, helping people who need it. Join us in January 2022 for our 21st birthday plunge. And don’t forget, our after-party will be starting straight after the polar plunge. Come and warm up with a beer or two!