I raised the $$ I needed for Dopey 2018 by hosting parties/cocktail hours.
I have a lot of close friends that work in the wine industry, and every month they give me a case of wine (mixed) of new labels that they've just released in-market. I host a party at my house or another location (depending on party size), and for a $20 cash donation, they get a wine glass and unlimited tasting-size pours of wine (until it runs out), a nice spread of heavy apps and a raffle ticket for a gift card of at least a $50 value to a local vendor (again, donated by a friend).
I've done two cocktail parties and one brunch, and I've raised about $1600 in pure cash.