Fundraising Ideas - Car Washes For Profit

Car Washes For Fun And Profit

by Jesse Carter

Most of us have cars and most of us need to give our vehicles a wash every now and then. You may have driven by youth groups with buckets full of soap and brushes hosing down cars after a good wash.

Usually these car washes are located on a major thoroughfare with easy access at a highly trafficked fast food restaurant or quick stop gasoline station. Hand made signs are held up with the words CAR WASH printed on it and waved at passers-by.

The Secret To Raising Funds

The secret to raising money at car washes is to provide a FREE CAR WASH. You read that right. Free, but dependent on the sales of Sponsor Pledge Tickets from supporters that wish to sponsor your group.

Have your Fundraising Team Members (youth and adult volunteers) offer these Sponsor Pledge Tickets to everyone they personally know. Family members, nearby businesses, friends and neighbors should all be asked to "sponsor" each of you in this effort. Let them know that the car wash is FREE to the general public. As a Sponsor, they get their car washed too.

Planning and Manpower

Car washes are an ideal fundraiser for groups with plenty of youth, but few adults to volunteer their time to conduct fundraisers. This is a great fundraiser for small nonprofits like ball teams, cheerleading, youth ministries, pep squads, bands, or choirs to conduct.

A Car Wash could also be a great community "good will" builder for larger organizations like Jaycees, Civitan, Lions Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, home health companies, hospices, volunteer fire associations and many others that might overlook this as a fundraiser only, rather than as a "friend raiser".

Two months before the actual car wash all youth or members should be informed about the procedures to raise money. Require all to attend the actual car wash and participate as if it were a normal required function of your groups activities.

Those in attendance should be given some incentive for actively participating. For youth, it could be an extra $50 given toward their trip or special planned event. For adults, it could be in the form of a special award. Make it clear that if they do not attend, then they do not share in the proceeds.

Secure The Wash Location

Secure a location for your car wash. Make sure that it is primarily on a very busy street or intersection. You want to draw attention to your efforts even though you should have already raised the bulk of your donations through Sponsorships before the actual car wash occurs.

At the location that you settle upon, ask questions from the business owner or manager about water sources, traffic patterns, activity insurance, and any supply donations that they can provide. Some businesses will provide the water, soap, and even refreshments for your group. Don't feel shy about asking for these items.

Be sure to check that you are in compliance with regional or city environmental codes for runoff and waste disposal. Make sure that you use biodegradable cleaner or soap with no caustic substances that will be safe for the environment and your workers.

It would not be good for non-biodegradable waste products to end up in the water supply. Finally, put shut-off valve nozzles on all hoses so that you do not waste water by leaving it running as you are doing the actual washing.

Advertisements and Printing

Create flyers on bold neon colors like those that are located at Staples, Office Depot, or by some National Discount Printer. Have them distributed at local schools and at nearby businesses a few days before the actual car wash. In case of rain, print an alternate date that you have already secured from the business where you will be located.

Prepare several signs with the words FREE Car Wash on them. This will be for some of your youth to hold up on the day of the car wash to people to see. Be sure to have your sign holders far enough down the road for drivers to consider and stop for their free car wash. Use letter templates to paint your message on a 2' X 3' thin plywood board.

Make a nice looking 1' X 1' "Tips And Donations Accepted" Sign placed on a stick for viewing by those drivers that actually drive up to get a car wash. Of course, you should have a bucket below this sign with some loose change just in case someone wants to break a $20 bill.

You may even want to consider creating a 2' X 2' sign on a stick that reads "Free Car Wash Here Next Saturday 10 to 4" and place this at your site to remind passers by about your upcoming fundraiser. Be sure to put your organizations name on this as well.

Pledge Tickets

Use sponsor pledge tickets that can be printed quickly from a printer like ViralPrint.com. These pledge tickets are actually where you make your profit.

You ask each of your supporters, neighbors and relatives to pledge a certain amount per free car wash that your group does. Get them to sign one of these tickets and give an exact copy to them for their records so that when you call them back you can give them a report of the number of cars washed and what their owed pledge would amount to.

The pledge tickets should provide the basic information like:

Suggested donation -- 10 cents per vehicle washed. Include other amounts like 5 cents, 15 cents, 20 cents and others.

A "check off" spot allowing the donor to give more money if they wish.

Your group's address and how checks should be made out if a donation is sent in later.

The date, location, time, etc. of the wash.

Your organization's name and what the money raised will be used to benefit.

Many times your newly acquired sponsor will not have the time or ability to get their car washed on the day of the wash, but you still received their donation to help you. Plus you can still accept donations on the spot as drivers getting their free car wash and they give you a tip for their appreciation.

Try using Scratchcards as a unique way to get extra donations from each person going through your car wash. It's fun and gives each supporter a coupon good at local merchants. Additionally, you may wish to offer some sort of Promotional Item directing people back to your group's donation website.

Car Wash Coupons

As an alternative, try selling car wash coupons (generics found in Microsoft Word templates) for $5 to $10 each. Ask for a donation instead of "selling" a car wash service to avoid paying for possible sales taxes.

Use the Avery #8371 or similiar Business Card templates. Insert your information to customize your cards. This is a great alternative to the pledge type car wash fundraiser.

Hand each supporter a thank you card showing your Text Fundraising Link, QR Code or donation website address prompting them to visit and learn more ways to help support your organization.