• Military fund-raising is a little different from traditional fund-raising.military shooting image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
  
  A Family Readiness Group or FRG, is a group of soldiers and employees in a particular military unit and the family members of those individuals. The goal of the organization is to support one another during deployments, help families prepare for the event and also, support the soldier and family members, once the unit comes back. Fund-raising takes place during disaster relief situations, emergency relief measures on the part of the military and for any organization devoted to the military or made primarily of military people, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  
  

Unit Cookbook

• Create a cookbook, devoted to recipes compiled by your unit. Ask each family to donate at least one recipe for the cookbook. Divide the book into different sections, including desserts, vegetable dishes, appetizers and entrees. Get families to offer recipes, based on these sections and then ask that they donate at least one other unusual recipe.
  
  Turn those recipes into a separate section of the book, such as a "Favorites from the Frontlines" or "Homecoming Dishes." Depending upon budget, include a few images of the completed dishes, including one on the cover. Sell copies of the book to family members of your FRG to raise money.
  
  

Chili Lunch

• Work with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars or a similar organization in your area and host a chili lunch function. Ask families to donate a pot of their favorite chili and ask for donations of crock pots for the day. It's best if you have different chili recipes included, such as a meat chili, vegetarian chili, super spicy chili and a turkey chili or white chili, which appeals to all types of buyers. Keep a few toppings for the chili on hand, including shredded cheese, sour cream, crackers and extra hot sauce. Charge a set price for each bowl and let customers buy as many as they like.
  
  

Basket Sales

• Gather a list of prizes for soldiers, civilian personnel and family members. Possible prizes include a better parking spot, a short leave of absence or first pick for duties. You need to first gain acceptance from the person in command of the unit, especially for some of the items.
  
  Add a few smaller items, such as Christmas ornaments, gift certificates and homemade goodies. Place a slip of paper in each basket, with the name of the prize on the front. Buyers pick out a basket and pay a set amount for each one they buy. When they open it up, they discover what they won.
  
  

Garage Sale

• Call for donations from family FRG members and host a garage sale. Most installations can have a post-wide garage sale; take donations from members and sell it all in one location. Funds raised go into FRG fund-raising coffers.