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DIY Fundraisers

RAPS Third-Party Fundraising Toolkit

Helping Animals, One Community Event at a Time

Thank you for your interest in supporting the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS).

Community fundraisers organized by supporters play a vital role in helping RAPS save and improve the lives of animals.

At a time when animal welfare organizations are stretched to their limits, community-driven fundraising is not just helpful—it is essential.

Every bake sale, trivia night, or charity walk directly translates into food, medical care, and safe shelter for vulnerable animals.

What makes these projects especially powerful is their accessibility: anyone, anywhere, can turn compassion into action with simple, creative ideas that bring people together around a shared purpose.

Beyond raising funds, these initiatives build community, spark conversations about animal welfare, and give individuals a tangible way to make a difference. For many supporters, organizing an event is not just about donating—it’s about ownership, connection, and impact.

It’s the realization that you don’t have to be an expert or a major philanthropist to save lives—you just have to care enough to act. And when you do, the ripple effects extend far beyond a single event, strengthening a movement dedicated to protecting animals and supporting the people who love them.

This toolkit will help you plan a successful fundraising activity—whether it’s a simple bake sale or a larger community event.

And, while you take ownership of your fundraising initiative, know that the RAPS family is here to help you every step of the way.

Click on the buttons below for third-party fundraisers ideas.

Getting Started

What is Third-Party Fundraising?

Third-party fundraising occurs when individuals, schools, businesses or community groups organize their own events or activities to raise funds for RAPS.

Examples include:

  • Bake sales
  • Garage sales
  • Charity runs or walk-a-thons
  • Birthday fundraisers
  • School events
  • Online fundraising campaigns
Basic Steps to Organize Your Fundraiser
  1. Choose your fundraising idea
  2. Set a goal (for example: $500 to support sanctuary cats)
  3. Select a date and location
  4. Promote your event
  5. Collect donations
  6. Celebrate your success and share the results
Important Guidelines

Third-party fundraisers must:

  • Clearly state the event is “in support of the Regional Animal Protection Society”
  • Not represent themselves as official RAPS events
  • Follow all local laws and permits
  • Handle money responsibly
  • Submit donations to RAPS after the event
1. SIMPLE FUNDRAISING IDEAS
2. COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
3. WORKPLACE FUNDRAISERS
4. SCHOOL FUNDRAISING IDEAS
5. CREATIVE FUNDRAISERS
6. ONLINE FUNDRAISING
7. BUSINESS FUNDRAISERS
8. SEASONAL FUNDRAISING
RAPS FUNDRAISING SUPPLIES
AFTER YOUR FUNDRAISER

1. Simple Fundraising Ideas

IDEA #1 – BAKE SALE

How to Organize
  • Choose a location (school, office, farmers market)
  • Ask friends to contribute baked goods
  • Set clear prices ($2–$5 items)
  • Display signage explaining the fundraiser (RAPS can provide this!)
  • Accept cash, debit, or digital payments, if possible
Simple Bake Sale Recipes

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2.5 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugars
  2. Add eggs and vanilla
  3. Mix in dry ingredients
  4. Stir in chocolate chips
  5. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1½ cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Bake at 350°F for 60 minutes.

RAPS can support you with …
  • Printable bake sale posters
  • Table signage explaining RAPS
  • Social media posts, memes and graphics

IDEA #2 – GARAGE SALE / YARD SALE

How to Organize
  1. Collect gently used items from friends and family
  2. Price items clearly
  3. Promote locally (Facebook groups, neighbourhood apps)
  4. Publicize that revenues help save and improve the lives of animals through RAPS
  5. Donate any leftover items to the RAPS Thrift Stores!
Pro Tips
  1. Start early
  2. Post signage throughout the neighbourhood and online (such as Facebook Marketplace)
  3. Price each item using stickers from the dollar store
  4. Have a “float” of small change ready
  5. Post signs that donations to RAPS are welcome. (Keep donations safe)
RAPS can support you with …
  • Printable donation signs
  • Brochures about RAPS programs and how support saves animals
  • Social media templates
  • “All proceeds support RAPS animals” signage

IDEA #3 – BIRTHDAY FUNDRAISER

Steps

Instead of gifts, ask guests to donate to RAPS.

  1. Choose your platform (Facebook fundraiser, donation jar)
  2. Set a fundraising goal
  3. Share your story: why animals matter to you and how RAPS shares your values
RAPS Can Provide
  • Birthday invitations
  • Donation QR code posters
  • Social media graphics

2. Community Fundraising Events

IDEA #1 – CHARITY WALK OR RUN

How to Organize
  1. Choose a safe walking route
  2. Invite participants
  3. Ask each participant to raise sponsorships

Example:

$25 entry fee × 40 participants = $1,000

Add Fun Elements
  • Dog costume contest
  • Pet photo booth
  • Raffle
RAPS can support you with …
  • Participant pledge forms
  • Event posters
  • Sponsor sheets
  • Media release template

IDEA #2 – PET PHOTO DAY

How It Works

Offer professional pet photos for donations.

Example:
$20 per pet photo × 75 pets = $1,500

What You Need
  • Photographer
  • Backdrop
  • Props
RAPS can support you with …
  • Branded photo backdrops
  • Social media promotion graphics
  • Event signage

IDEA #3 – TRIVIA NIGHT

How to Organize
  1. Partner with a local pub
  2. Charge entry fees
  3. Offer prizes

Example:
$10 entry × 60 participants = $600

ADD-ONS
  • Raffle
  • Silent auction
  • Donation jars

IDEA #4 – MOVIE NIGHT

How to Organize

Screen a family-friendly film and sell snacks.

POSSIBLE THEMES
  • Pet movies
  • Animal documentaries
  • Outdoor summer screenings

3. Workplace Fundraisers

IDEA #1 – CASUAL DRESS DAY

How it works

Employees donate $5 to dress casually.

Example:
100 employees × $5 = $500

IDEA #2 – OFFICE BAKE-OFF

How It Works

Staff compete for “Best Baker.”

Participants donate to taste and vote.

IDEA #3 – OFFICE PET PHOTO CONTEST

How It Works

Employees submit pet photos.

Coworkers vote with donations.

IDEA #4 – PAYROLL GIVING

How it works

Employees donate small amounts per paycheck. Discuss with your HR department.

raps resources
  • Workplace posters
  • Email templates
  • HR partnership guide

4. School Fundraising Ideas

IDEA #1 – LEMONADE STAND

How it works

Kids sell lemonade with a “Help the Animals” theme.

IDEA #2 – READ-A-THON

How It Works

Students collect sponsorships for reading books.

IDEA #3 – PET SUPPLY DRIVE

How It Works

Collect:

  • Cat food
  • Blankets
  • Towels
  • Toys

IDEA #4 – ART SALE

How it works

Students create animal-themed art to sell.

5. Creative Fundraising Ideas

IDEA #1 – PET COSTUME CONTEST

How it works

Charge entry fees.

Categories:

  • Funniest costume
  • Best duo
  • Most creative

IDEA #2 – CHARITY AUCTION

How It Works

Auction donated items like:

  • Gift baskets
  • Restaurant vouchers
  • Artwork
  • Pet services

IDEA #3 – CHARITY GAME TOURNAMENT

How It Works

Ideas:

  • Video games
  • Board games
  • Chess
  • Dungeons & Dragons

IDEA #4 – FITNESS CHALLENGE

How it works

Examples:

  • 30-day run challenge
  • Yoga fundraiser
  • Charity spin class

6. Online Fundraising

IDEA #1 – SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

How it works

Ideas:

  • “Post your pet” challenge
  • Donation matching
  • Livestream fundraiser

IDEA #2 – CROWDFUNDING

How It Works

Platforms:

  • GoFundMe
  • CanadaHelps

7. Business Fundraisers

IDEA #1 – RESTAURANT GIVE-BACK NIGHTS

How it works

Restaurant donates % of sales.

IDEA #2 – RETAIL ROUND-UP

How It Works

Customers round up purchases for RAPS.

IDEA #3 – CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

How It Works

Businesses sponsor:

  • Sanctuary cats
  • Events
  • Rescue initiatives

8. Seasonal Fundraisers

IDEA #1 –HOLIDAY GIFT WRAPPING

How it works

Set up at malls or stores.

IDEA #2 – VALENTINE'S DAY

How It Works

“Send a Valentine to a sanctuary cat.”

IDEA #3 – HALLOWEEN

How It Works

Pet costume parade.

IDEA #4 – CHRISTMAS MARKET BOOTH

How It Works

Sell crafts or pet treats.

Fundraising Supplies RAPS Can Provide

Ask us for:

Printable materials

  • Event posters
  • Donation forms
  • Sponsorship sheets
  • Event banners

Digital resources

  • Social media graphics
  • Email templates
  • Instagram story templates
  • Fundraising pages

Educational materials

  • Brochures explaining RAPS programs
  • Impact reports
  • Information about the Cat Sanctuary

Brand materials

  • Logos
  • Photo libraries
  • Story content about rescued animals

After your Fundraiser

Celebrate and Share

Send photos and results to RAPS.

Share:

    • Total funds raised
    • Event highlights
    • Thank-you messages

Thank You for Supporting Animals

Your fundraiser helps provide:

    • Lifelong sanctuary care for cats
    • Veterinary treatment
    • Rescue operations
    • Adoption programs
    • Community assistance initiatives

Every event—large or small—makes a difference.