Fundraising ideas for cadet units
Cadet units often fund gear and camps with catering, marshalling, quiz nights and sizzles, using the discipline and numbers a unit already has.
Unit support committees usually handle the money; check your unit’s rules on what members can be asked to do.
Best return for your time
- Class 4 gaming trust grants (NZCT, Lion Foundation, Pub Charity, Aotearoa Gaming Trust, Four Winds and others)$526/hrtypically $5,000 per grantGrants from pokie-machine proceeds for equipment, uniforms, travel and running costs of community groups.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Cadet unit service fundraising (catering, marshalling, quiz nights)$114/hrtypically $2,000 a yearAn ATC, Sea Cadet or Army Cadet unit's Unit Support Committee raises money by selling the cadets' disciplined labour: catering and marshalling at marathons and events, plus quiz nights, movie nights and sizzles.Weeks of part-time work, Landowner’s OK, 7–15 helpers
- Chocolate carry boxes (Cadbury, Whittaker's and others)$100/hrtypically $1,500 per campaignMembers take a box of bars to sell to family, friends and workmates and return the cash.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 3–6 helpers
- Printed ticket raffle (one headline prize)$86/hrtypically $1,500 per campaignNumbered paper tickets sold in person over 2-6 weeks for one strong prize, drawn in public.A few evenings’ work, Raffle rules apply, 16–40 helpers
- Cookie Time bulk packs and Christmas buckets$83/hrtypically $500 per campaignSell Cookie Time Rookie Cookie packs year-round or Christmas Cookie buckets in November-December.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Small class or team raffle (Class 1, up to $500)$71/hrtypically $250 per eventA quick raffle with a small prize, e.g. a $100 hamper and 250 tickets at $2, run by a society's class or team.An afternoon’s work, Raffle rules apply, 3–6 helpers
- Charity car wash$67/hrtypically $400 per eventVolunteers wash cars for a set price or donation at a busy site.A few evenings’ work, Check with council, 7–15 helpers
- Sausage sizzle at a hardware store (Bunnings, Mitre 10)$60/hrtypically $600 per eventRun the store's community BBQ for a day, selling sausages in bread and drinks to weekend shoppers.A few evenings’ work, Landowner’s OK, 7–15 helpers
Something different
Less common ideas that stand out because people haven’t seen them ten times already.
- Cadet unit service fundraising (catering, marshalling, quiz nights) · typically $2,000 · specific to cadet units, little known outside
- Pick-a-date calendar · typically $496 · a simple novelty most supporters haven't seen
* General fundraising information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Money figures are examples and estimates, not promises. Check current official requirements before you commit. About this guide