Healthy fundraising guide

This article appears in the November 2009 edition of Sportshorts.

Fundraising for profit and good health.

Fundraising is important to all sports clubs. And when it comes to choosing fundraising food – the humble sausage sizzle, chocolate, cakes and confectionary are the old favourites. But the NSW Cancer Council is now encouraging sports clubs to adopt a healthier approach and they’ve released a new guide to help.

“Healthy Fundraising provides ideas and inspiration for fundraising that promotes health, while still making a profit,” says Vikki Boulton from the NSW Cancer Council.

“Making the choice to raise funds in a healthy way can help tackle problems such as being overweight and obese,” says Ms Boulton.

“Health food won’t raise any money” we hear you scoff. “Confectionary fundraisers are sure-fire winners” you claim. “We can’t be responsible for obesity too” many sporting organisation will immediately say.

According to Vikki Boulton, these are common reactions, but it’s worth exploring the possibilities.

“Changing practices can be challenging and you do need commitment from members and your committee, but healthy fundraising can return good profit and many organisations have had great success for a couple of reasons.

“Firstly, if you actually ask around, many members feel obliged to spend money on fundraising items they don’t agree with, such as chocolate, just to support the club.

“They would rather a healthier alternative and would feel better about purchasing items that encourage good health.

“Secondly, healthy fundraising can enhance your club reputation.

“You show the community you care about health and wellbeing - you are a positive role model. Clubs may find that their fundraiser is better supported as a result,” says Ms Boulton.

The new guide is free and includes healthy recipes, inspiration for promoting fruit and vege, tips for making a profit, ideas for a healthy food stall or fundraising drive, suggestions for healthy prizes, a guide on writing a fundraising policy and a checklist for making it all happen.

Healthier sausage sizzles

The BBQ is a staple fundraiser for many sports clubs. Try giving it a healthy make over with:

• Lean hamburgers served with salad
• Kebabs with vegies
• BBQ vegetables
• BBQ corn on the cob
• Reduced fat sausages
• Vegie burgers
• Wholemeal bread, no margarine

Healthy fundraising

Promote healthy eating as part of your next fundraiser via:

• Nutritious food hampers
• Healthy bake sale
• Boxes of fresh fruit and vege
• Healthy cooking lessons
• Healthy cookbooks
• Apple slinky machines
• Soup days
• Smoothie days

Healthy prizes

Next time you need a prize for the raffle or similar, think healthy with:

• Healthy hampers
• Fruit and vege shop voucher
• Healthy cookbooks
• Gardening items
• Sports goods

(taken from Healthy Fundraising, NSW Cancer Council)

Get a free copy of the guide today

Contact Vikki Boulton,
NSW Cancer Council vikkib@nswcc.org.au