Team 343 did several things this year:
We went out to different businesses and asked if they would be on a discount card we created. 17 businesses agreed and provided a "discount" for their business for the card. The cards were printed for less than $.50 each at a local print shop and sold for $10 each. We didn't sell as many as I would have liked, but we still made a nice profit (profit being the key) and shared with a couple of Lego teams.
We also run a Lego camp in the summer (this summer we are planing to run 2). We charge $85 per student and get scholarships for lower income students. We netted about $3000 from the first camp.
For those of you that live around college campuses, we have and are planning to running concessions at Clemson University sporting events. Each group makes 10% of the total sales for their area and at Clemson football games that can be as much as $2000 per Saturday!
Finally, and this is a long term fund raiser, is United Scrip. They are a company that happens to be local, but has groups from all across the country. Basically they buy gift cards from businesses and sell them to charities at a discount. The charity sells them at face value and keeps the profit. For example, if you purchase at $25 Belk gift card your group will make $2.50 because your group will get a 10% discount. Here is the link for United Scrip. If you decide to sign up please tell them that 343 recommended you!
http://www.unitedscrip.com/