Museum Fundraising Ideas

There are museums for art, museums for science, museums for cars, museums for you-name-it! There are many, many small local museums scattered in every town, in every state, in every province and most of them rely exclusively on donations and fundraising efforts made on their behalf. Even the big museums hold an annual fundraiser to benefit their museum. Fundraising is a challenging but worthwhile endeavor to keep your museum up and running and educating and entertaining the generations to come.

One of the biggest decisions is often deciding what type of fundraiser to do. In Sioux City, IA, Princesses, pirates, magic and treasure drew more than 600 visitors to the Children’s Museum of Siouxland fundraiser filled with fantasy and games. In Biddeford, ME, people waited patiently for the doors of the Saco Museum to open as part of the seventh annual Antiques Appraisal Day, a fundraiser for the Saco Museum. Fundraisers by other Museums include tours, special exhibits, concerts, dinners, trivia nights, raffles, auctions, and jazz festivals.

Check out our complete list of fundraising products and do-it-yourself fundraising ideas for your next museum fundraiser.

You can also choose from a wide variety of museum DIY fundraising ideas to supplement your program. How about a 50-50 raffle, Where Has Dolly Been, Dining in the Dark, Outlaw Hunt, or thons of every type? Perhaps one of these successful and creative ideas can be adapted for your museum fundraiser.

Cobweb Chase – This fundraising idea is to search out historical buildings or homes in an area. Map the course and take a bus load or two of people to visit these places. A tour inside is a must and get permission of course. You either get a spokesperson to tell the history or search it yourself if no one else is available. Read more…

Night Golf Tournament – Make arrangements with a golf course to have a fundraising golf tournament at night. Arrange for reduced greens fees to be paid by your organization and solicit donated prizes for winners. Arrange for volunteers to handle registration, watch holes, and act as referees regarding rules of play. Read more…

One Night Stand – The Howell Area Arts Council, Howell, Michigan, holds an annual “Sitting Pretty” fundraiser, in which the group auctions off hand-painted chairs.  Read more…