Fundraising efforts are often a major component of a social service program, allowing non-profit organizations and city departments to supplement their designated budgets with help from concerned individuals and other organizations. Thinking creatively about fundraising can help to make these efforts more effective, by designing fundraising efforts around the needs of the donor just as much as the needs of the organization. For example, donors often want to see a direct impact for the money they give – and so in other fields, adoption programs or wish list programs have proven successful. Donors also typically want the donation process to be clear, easy, and readily accessible. Here are a few ideas for new ways of fundraising for those experiencing homelessness:

• Adopt a family, to create a personal connection between those giving and receiving
• Wish lists, to enable donors to purchase tangible items for those in need
• Guerrilla-style donation stations, to meet donors where they are