Keep the designs simple for obvious reasons. It is often helpful to also have the face-painting fundraising volunteers paint their faces beforehand so there are some real life examples of the faces. This is a great way to practice before paying customers get there and a good bonding experience for the volunteers.  The normal charge averages about $2.00 but you need to decide what is appropriate for your target group.

Use powder based paint sticks because the paint is dry on the stick. You use a wet paintbrush to activate the paint. It dries quickly and needs few touch-ups. Best of all they do not melt. Set up to four painting stations - each with everything painters need:

• One water bowl with fresh water
• Three to four paint brushes of various sizes
• Two to three face sponges to cover the whole face with paint
• Towel for the painters lap
• Small mirror
• Red, blue, brown, black, white, grey, green, yellow, orange, and purple paint sticks
• Paper towel to put paint sticks on
• Face painting pattern book
• Wet wipes (to clean a child’s face if they are dirty)

The best tables to use for face painting are the economical plastic shelving units you can purchase at any discount store. Most shelving units have four levels. You can break each level down which allows you to have four tables that are about two feet tall. Two chairs are set up at each station, one for the painter and one for the child (and an occasional adult).

On busy days in your fundraising event it is helpful to have one person who is in charge of the waiting line. This person will hand out numbers, collect money, and help people choose a face painting pattern. They can also help change out water in the paintbrush bowl and keep people entertained while waiting in line. On busy days this position is very important.

Source: Schaneé A., Sunset Zoo, Manhattan, Kansas

We have included a number of do-it-yourself fundraising ideas in this section such as Face Painting that offer a break from traditional product sales.  They were developed by groups just like yours in an attempt have a little fun with their fundraiser. Some of them are tried and true while others show a lot of creativity ... and even wackiness in some cases.  All of them are obviously not appropriate for every group, but sometimes, with only a little modification, your might find some fund raising ideas that are perfect for your group. If you have an idea for a do-it-yourself fund raiser you are willing to share with others, please send it to us via email at . Include anything and everything you would want to know if you were hearing the idea for the first time.