Minute to Win It Fundraiser

What kinds of crazy things can be done in 60 seconds?  A “Minute to Win It” fundraiser is inspired by the game show of the same name, where contestants are given 60 seconds in which to complete a game or challenge using everyday objects. They are quick games that people can play pretty easily, and not take a whole day. How you make money varies with your group, most likely supporters, and participants but others have used a combination of the following: team entrance fees, sponsorships, cash bar, parking fees, spectator admission, concession sales and a 50-50 raffle.

All American Football Players, Bedford, Texas – Teams consisted of two people, with 16 teams maximum per event. The cost was $40 per team. Each event consisted of five games. The goal was to complete the event as a team in 60 seconds or less to continue on in the event. Each completed event was awarded points. Some games had possible bonus point opportunities. Failing to complete the games resulted in elimination. The top four teams moved on to a semifinal round, and the final two teams competed in a head-to-head final game to determine a champion. The winning team received a cash prize!

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Central Missouri – 24 teams competed bracket style. Teams consisted of at least two members, with the option of adding a third member. Cost to register for the fundraiser was $300 per team.

Kiwanis, Marshall, Minnesota – Teams of five people were needed to participate in the fundraiser. Both adults and kids competed. Kiwanis also encouraged people to “sponsor” a youth team if they couldn’t participate themselves. The teams could then pick a time slot on the morning to compete. Team members competed in a total of five different activities. The team that placed first in the “Minute to Win It” fundraiser got to choose their favorite area youth organization to receive a $200 donation. The top five individual competitors also received a $100 gift card. The cost to register a team was $100.

Pretzel Rods 970×90

Framingham State University, Framingham, Massachusetts – Charged $1 to play, $2 to watch

Global Business Travel Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota – Teams of 4 people. If you didn’t have a team, they put one together for you. Participant cost was $55 per person for members and $65 per person for non-members. There was no limit on the number of teams.

We have listed some of the challenges by other groups below but the possibilities are limitless. Let your imagination run wild!

Emptying a tissue box with one hand
Long snapping toilet paper through a Hula Hoop
Picking up cotton balls with a Vaseline coated nose
Bouncing ping pong balls into a bucket on a team members head
Scooting around the gym sitting on a towel
Placing a cookie on your forehead and eating it without touching it with your hands
Shooting rubber bands at targets
Bouncing a ping pong ball off of the floor and getting it to stick to a piece of bread coated with Vaseline
Stacking six cupcakes on your head
Blowing plastic cups over with a balloon

We have included a number of do-it-yourself fundraising ideas in this section 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. Include anything and everything you would want to know if you were hearing the idea for the first time.