Fire Department Fundraising Is Changing — And Fast
elling hoagies. Boot drives. Coin jars.
For decades, that’s how volunteer fire departments survived. But times have changed — and so has fundraising.
A Pennsylvania volunteer department recently made headlines with a massive online raffle that raised serious money without standing on a street corner.
One Big Fundraiser Beats 12 Small Ones
Modern fundraising is about:
Fewer events
Bigger reach
Less burnout
Online raffles, tool giveaways, and vehicle packages allow departments to:
Raise more money
Collect supporter contact info
Reduce manpower strain
That’s a win.
The Cash Problem
Let’s be real — nobody carries cash anymore.
Standing in traffic with a boot isn’t just dangerous, it’s outdated. QR codes, Venmo, and online platforms meet supporters where they already are.
This Is the Future
Departments that adapt will thrive.
Departments that don’t will struggle.
And if one well-run fundraiser can replace a year of small events, it frees firefighters to focus on what actually matters — training and response.
