While there is an initial cost for production, having T-shirts and hats made with your youth symphony logo on them can be an ideal way to raise money, with a long-term benefit of providing visibility for your youth symphony program as well. If possible, locate a print shop willing to donate services to help cut down on the up-front cost of producing the shirts and hats.
Take advantage of the audiences for your youth symphony performances by recording selected shows, burning them to disc and selling them as souvenirs. Many people enjoy the idea of having a recording of a show they actually attended. This can be a special treat for fans of your youth symphony as well as a way to raise money.
Consider an auction before or after a performance and auction a signed instrument or season tickets to the symphony. Auctions can bring in more money than items are worth, resulting in a successful fundraising effort. Other items to auction include the baton the director uses to conduct the concert, front row seating or the chance to play an instrument with the symphony.
Get volunteers from the symphony to give lessons to community youth or even private lessons to help raise money for the symphony. Members of the symphony can even alternate giving lessons to give all members a chance to participate.
Set up a fundraising page on Facebook or on one of the many fundraising websites. The page should include a history of your symphony and give information on upcoming events and projects. These fundraising pages are a great way to keep your symphony in the public eye and open to donations year round.