A lot of groups, when they are first getting started, look for some type of easy fundraising idea. It makes sense. After all, a new group generally has few members, limited resources and virtually no money. So, they will look to their members to brainstorm and come up with some small-scale, simple ways of raising funds for their activities.
Step one: what constitutes an easy way to raise money? A group needs to look at ideas that involve a minimal outlay of cash. On the other hand, that does not mean that some hard work (the old "sweat equity"), a goodly amount of time, and some effort does not have to go into it. A group may discover that they have a rather talented artist among their ranks. Also, perhaps another member runs a print shop or does silk screening. So, put the two together and what do you get? A team that can create a knockout t-shirt. Offer those at a local state or county agricultural fair or school bazaar and the group can raise a considerable sum.
Another simple fundraising method is the gift card. There are a whole host of national firms that will give "two for one" cards: pizza, soda, sandwiches, movie tickets etc. Many have websites and/or 800 numbers set up to allow for ease of access, and PR departments that are skilled in just these sorts of things. For a new group that is trying to raise some funds quickly and easily, fundraising cards are an excellent choice.
For groups operating on the high school level, there are even more options. Bake sales, selling school badges, pizza and sodas at sporting events, and turkey shoots are just the tip of the iceberg. In the case of a high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), turkey shoots are a good idea. And, it is not as bloodthirsty as it may sound. Normally, a high school JROTC unit has a shooting range where the students (cadets) learn to fire a twenty-two caliber rifle. So, first, they need turkeys. Normally, a national grocery chain (e.g. Publix, Stop & Shop) will donate a quantity of frozen turkeys. Next, the unit prints up a standard sized piece of heavy-duty paper with a series of one inch diameter circles on it, and runs off as many as the number of turkeys they have to give away. They then take these around the neighborhoods and allow people to buy a circle for a dollar each. The people write their names in the circle(s) they buy. After all the sheets are filled, they are taken to the firing range and a cadet puts one shot in each. Whichever hole gets hit, or is closest to the bullet hole, that person gets a free Christmas turkey.
So, no matter the size of the group, not matter the makeup of its members, there is an easy fundraising idea out there that will help the group to get a start. It all comes down to the members, what are they willing to put into it?