Can you guys and gals give me a few ideas for union fundraisers with the public ?  Challenge coins and shirts as well as a gun raffle were tossed around.  What have you found the public is most interested in supporting/ participating with and what collection method ?   We read that the inflatable boot in front of a shop can collect an impressive amount.  The funds will be used for training and giving back to a needful family in the area

My IAFF Chapter holds a Bingo License that they allow a local bingo hall to play one a week (I think that is the schedule). At any rate, it generates about $90,000 for the Union annually. We are very good about paying out to help brothers with medical costs and travel for their children, scholarships, etc.

Hire a firm to solicit on your organizations behalf for a percentage

Since we just stood our funds are low this year.  We probably will have to wait till next year.  We did set a high collection to get the ball rolling Nd we are a small department.   The main issue is starting capitol.  Wow at the bingo hall ! What does the firemans dance involve? DJ and building rental?

Texas has a funny quirk with Bingo. It can only be played for non-profit (charity, etc) not for profit. So all of these big bingo halls cannot actually hold their own license. They build facilities and then "play on behalf" of someones license. In turn they take a percentage for administering the game on your behalf, concessions, supplies, etc. so they make money. But on Monday night they may be playing on a church license, Tuesday night the union license for a city, etc. Pretty cool way to do it and it generates big money with almost no work on our behalf.

Can you give a general cost vs profit? im guessing 5k and made 10?