When it comes to raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^®, the only limit is your imagination. People throughout the nation have created some incredible ideas. Some are appropriate for our national office, while others are perfectly suited for their local chapters.

Collecting change is a great way for students to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It’s easy to add some enhancements, such as getting local businesses to donate prizes (perhaps an ice cream or a pizza party) to the class that raises the most change, or even match the total your school raises.

Change adds up quickly: The average cost of a wish is approximately $6,500. A successful change-collecting drive can go a long way toward granting a wish.

A fundraising event can be a big hit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Again, this category knows few boundaries and can range from elaborate to simple. Golf tournaments, gala balls and run/walk events are popular fundraisers. On the more grassroots side, concerts, bake sales and bachelor auctions are effective fundraisers.

Giving people a chance to ditch their neckties or hosiery can be a smart way to raise funds. This idea works well both in the office environment and at schools: You can have your co-workers donate $5 or more to dress down, or ask your teachers for donations of $1 or more. You can also make it a weekly or monthly event to keep your efforts going throughout the year.