How to turn a button into cash
Howard Lake | 7 August 2009 | Blogs
I reckon this is the most innovative fundraising idea I’ve seen all year – and it’s not even from a charity or (sorry folks) a fundraiser.
Writer and film director Graham Kitchener is trying to trade a bright blue button up in value as high as possible to raise money for a charity – yet to be chosen.
Starting with his bright blue button, he wants to swap it for another item of higher value, then that item for another even more desirable item and so on…. and he is filming the whole experience.
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His philanthropy was inspired by reading about the hard times charities are experiencing in the current down turn. And the book One Red Paperclip by Kyle MacDonald.
As well as objects, activities or experiences can also be suggested as potential exchanges. And each and every swap will be carefully considered to make sure they are maximising the value and interest.
Ultimately he’s not fussed what the final item is: “it doesn’t matter…. every single penny will go to charity, and for that reason, I hope we get something fabulous”. And so say all of us!
There is a great article on the project in the Scotsman
and for charities wanting to work out how to get their hands on the bright blue button – or rather the ultimate swap object (the one red paperclip ended up as a house!) visit the website.
In fact I’m trying to work out if partially house-trained children might make for a potentially desirable exchange…. Wonder what I’d get in return?!
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.