Why More Groups Are Moving Away From Door-to-Door Fundraisers

For decades, door-to-door fundraisers were the gold standard for raising money. 

But today? Door-to-door fundraising is one of the most demanding fundraising ideas. It asks a lot from participants and doesn't deliver the same returns that it used to. 

Between safety concerns, long hours, unpredictable outcomes, and donor fatigue, this classic model is showing its age. That doesn’t mean door-to-door fundraising never works, but it does mean organizations should think twice before choosing it. 

Door-to-door fundraisers are a liability

Going door to door to sell products or ask for donations comes with real safety concerns—especially for children and teenagers. They're expected to approach strangers, deal with rejection in the moment, and spend hours canvassing the neighborhoods, often for a minimal return. 

Safety is the biggest risk

A growing number of schools are banning door-to-door fundraisers due to safety concerns, and following a 1997 tragedy, New Jersey almost passed a bill banning door-to-door sales by students.

Ensuring your safety is the most important thing you can do while door-to-door fundraising. If you must run a door-to-door fundraiser, always put safety first:

• Avoid selling too late at night or after dark.
• Stick to familiar neighborhoods. 
• Always bring a parent or friend with you, and establish a safety code word or signal, whether they're joining you at the door or waiting in the car.
• Maintain a safe distance from the door and take a step back after knocking or ringing the doorbell.
• Never enter a customer's home.
• Develop a system for putting away and safeguarding profits between sales.
• Be wary of your surroundings as a pedestrian or driver.

While these precautions help, they don't eliminate the risk. They simply highlight how much planning is required before the first knock even happens.

It's also a numbers game

Door-to-door fundraising rewards effort, but it comes at a cost.

The more time, energy, and effort you invest, the more sales you'll likely make. But that also means longer hours, more physical effort, and constant social interaction. Results will also vary widely based on timing, neighborhood, and sheer luck. 

For families already juggling busy schedules, asking for even more time and energy just isn't realistic. And when fewer people participate, your organization's fundraising profits are sure to take a hit. 

So, it's worth asking: Is door-to-door fundraising truly the best use of your group's time and energy? 

Good news—you can fundraise without selling a thing

If you're wary of the safety risks, long hours, and unpredictability of door-to-door fundraisers, you might want to consider this no-selling fundraiser: RaiseRight. 

With RaiseRight, fundraising happens through everyday purchases you and your families are already making—think groceries, gas, coffee runs, or taking the family out on the weekend. Earn money when you buy gift cards, shop online, dine at local restaurants, or book travel accommodations. 

RaiseRight partners with hundreds of brands you know and love, and a percentage of every purchase (6% average, often up to 20% or more) goes back toward your cause. It's that easy! 

RaiseRight is the future of fundraising, with no need to knock on doors, sell goods, or run intensive events. It's simply the right way to fundraise.